Phishing and Online Scams

By lucia.lazaa

  • First phishing emails appear ✉️🔑

    First phishing emails appear ✉️🔑
    • The first phishing attacks target online banking users 🏦.
    • Hackers send fake emails asking for passwords 🔐 and credit card details 💳.
    • Since most people don’t know about online fraud 🚨, many fall for the scam .

  • The term “phishing” is introduced 🎣

    The term “phishing” is introduced 🎣
    • Cybersecurity experts name this type of fraud “phishing” 🐟, inspired by “fishing” 🎣, since scammers use fake emails as bait 🎭.
    • Phishing spreads worldwide 🌍, affecting both individuals and companies 🏢.

  • First PayPal and eBay phishing scams 💳🔗

    First PayPal and eBay phishing scams 💳🔗
    • Hackers send fake emails pretending to be from PayPal 🏦 and eBay 🛒, warning users about “security issues ⚠️”.
    • Victims click on fraudulent links 🚫🔗 and enter their login credentials 🔐, giving hackers access to their accounts.
    • PayPal improves fraud detection by adding email verification (e.g., “Dear Customer” = fake, “Dear John” = real).

  • Social media phishing scams rise 📱💬

    Social media phishing scams rise 📱💬
    • Hackers target Facebook and Twitter users 🖥️ with phishing messages like “Is this you in this video? 📸”.
    • Clicking the link takes victims to a fake login page 🔓, stealing their passwords 🔑.
    • These scams spread quickly ⚡, as hacked accounts send more phishing messages .

  • Google Docs phishing attack 📄✉️

    Google Docs phishing attack 📄✉️
    • Hackers send fake Google Docs invitations 📩, tricking users into granting account access 🔓.
    • Victims unknowingly allow hackers to read emails 📧 and steal personal data 🆔.
    • Google improves security features 🛡️, adding warnings when opening suspicious links 🚨.

  • Netflix and celebrity scams 🎬💰

    Netflix and celebrity scams 🎬💰
    • Scammers send fake Netflix emails 📺, warning users their subscription will be canceled ❌ unless they update payment details 💳.
    • Hackers impersonate celebrities 🤵, like Elon Musk, promising fake Bitcoin giveaways 💰.
    • Many victims send money 💸, believing they will get double in return, but lose everything 💀.

  • COVID-19 phishing scams 🦠💉

    COVID-19 phishing scams 🦠💉
    • During the pandemic, phishing scams increase 📈, using fear and urgency ⚠️.
    - Common scams include:
    • Fake vaccine offers 💉, requiring payment 💸.
    • Fake government aid emails 🏛️, stealing personal details.
    • Fake PayPal transaction alerts 🏦, tricking users into logging into fake sites.
    • Cybersecurity agencies warn users 🛡️ and email providers improve spam detection 🚫.

  • Deepfake and AI scams 🤖🎭

    Deepfake and AI scams 🤖🎭
    • Hackers use Artificial Intelligence (AI) 🧠 to create deepfake videos 🎥 and voice messages 🔊. • AI-generated celebrity videos 🎭 promote fake investments 💰📉. • Security companies develop AI-powered fraud detection 🛡️, but deepfake scams keep evolving 🔄.

  • QR code phishing (Quishing) 📲🚫

    QR code phishing (Quishing) 📲🚫
    • Hackers use fake QR codes 📷❌ in emails, posters, and delivery notifications 📦.
    • Scanning the QR code redirects victims to phishing sites 🌐🚫, stealing login details 🔑.
    • Many of these scams target delivery services 🚚, making people pay fake shipping fees 💵.
    • Since QR codes hide the real link 🔗, victims don’t suspect anything 🤔.

  • Protection methods against scams and malware 🛡️🔒

    Protection methods against scams and malware 🛡️🔒
    • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) 🔐 becomes standard to prevent account theft 👤💻.
    • Email providers like Gmail 📩 improve their spam filters 🚫, blocking most phishing emails.
    • Browsers like Google Chrome 🌍 introduce real-time scam detection ⚠️, warning users before they visit a fake website.
    • Companies invest in AI-based security 🤖🛡️ to detect and stop scams before they spread ⚡.