phishing

Phishing is a type of online fraud that occurs when criminals impersonate a legitimate organization or person in order to trick victims into disclosing personal information or performing unauthorized actions. The most common type of phishing attack is an email that appears to come from a trusted source, such as a bank or credit card company, that contains a link to a fake website that looks legitimate. When the victim enters their personal information on the fake website, the criminals can then use it to commit fraud.

Phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated and believable, making them more difficult to spot. However, there are some tell-tale signs that an email or website may be a phishing scam. These include misspellings and grammatical errors, unusually long or suspicious URLs, and requests for personal information that a legitimate organization would not need.

If you receive an email or are directed to a website that looks like it may be a phishing scam, do not click on any links or enter any personal information. Instead, report it to the organization that it purports to be from, and delete the email or close the website..Visit the site

crypto-jacking

Cryptocurrency mining has been around for a while now, but it has only recently exploded in popularity due to the soaring value of Bitcoin and other digital currencies. Part of the appeal of mining for many users is that it can be done using a regular computer, rather than expensive mining hardware. However, there is a downside to this convenience: if your computer is not properly secured, it can be hijacked for mining without your knowledge or consent. This practice, known as “crypto-jacking,” has become increasingly common as the value of cryptocurrency has skyrocketed.

Crypto-jacking is usually accomplished through the use of malware that is installed on a victim’s computer without their knowledge. Once installed, the malware will hijack the computer’s resources to mine for cryptocurrency. The victim will usually not notice anything amiss, as the mining process does not typically use a lot of CPU or GPU power. However, over time, the cumulative effect of crypto-jacking can be significant. Not only does it slow down the victim’s computer, but it can also lead to high electricity bills as the computer works overtime to mine for cryptocurrency.

In some cases, crypto-jacking can be even more damaging. In December 2017, a Chrome extension called “Archive Poster” was caught secretly mining for cryptocurrency. The extension had been installed by over 100,000 users before it was finally discovered and removed. Another recent example is the “cryptocurrency miner” that was included in the popular file-sharing program uTorrent. Once again, thousands of users were unknowingly mining for cryptocurrency while using the program.

To protect yourself from crypto-jacking, it is important to be vigilant about the programs and extensions you install on your computer. Only download software from trusted sources, and be sure to read reviews before installation. In addition, it is a good idea to install an anti-malware program that can detect and remove crypto-jacking malware. Finally, do not click on links from unknown or untrustworthy sources, as these can often lead to infections.

While crypto-jacking is a serious problem, it is important to keep it in perspective. In most cases, the damage caused by crypto-jacking is relatively minor, and can be easily remedied. However, it is important to be aware of the risks, and to take steps to protect yourself from this growing threat.

All material on this site was made with malwarezero.org as the authority reference. Site link.