Com o Dia dos Pais (11/08) se aproximando, the increase in online promotions combined with the desire to give gifts creates opportunities not only for consumers, but also for cybercriminals. Only in the first half of 2024, Brazil recorded 1 million fraud attempts, totaling R$1,2 billion in losses, according to a study by ClearSale.
In this context, Denis Riviello, Head of Cybersecurity ofCG One,technology company focused on information security, network protection and integrated risk management, alert for the need to double attention when shopping online during this period, to avoid falling for increasingly common and sophisticated scams
To ensure the gifts without losses, check out the tips on how to make a safe online purchase
- Research the store's reputation
There are complaint websites for stores that can help identify fraudulent brands, because they gather a compilation of reviews from other consumers who have already purchased in the same place. According to Riviello, at this moment, the sense of community can be an ally.
It is important to research the store's reputation on complaint pages, since they may contain accounts of consumers who were victims of scams or online fraud, in addition to information about possible deceptive practices. It is also advisable to look for the company's history on other internet pages. Based on the information collected, the consumer can choose to do business only with companies that have a good reputation and a positive track record, recommend
- Be careful with personal data
Sharing personal information on the internet is risky and, although many already know this, there are some online consumption habits that can put sensitive data at risk without the user knowing
O especialista alerta: “nunca salvar o número do cartão nos dispositivos e/ou Browser, even if it is reliable. This makes it much easier for scammers, if they gain access to the password or device, affirms
- Look for signs of authenticity
Fraudulent sites, despite being well made, they can be identified through some details, como observar se o URL começa com “https://” e se possui um ícone de cadeado na barra de endereço, what demonstrates a secure exchange of information between the device and the server. Furthermore, Riviello warns that legitimate sites have a "Contact" or "About Us" tab
- Stay tuned for the email
In addition to fraudulent websites, the email inbox can also be a threat, constantly scaring users with spams. Between 2022 and 2023, Brazil had 134 million phishing attempts, according to a report made by Kaspersky. And, for cases like this, the specialist indicates that it is important to verify the email domain, that is to say, what comes after the '@'. If the domain is different from the official or generic site, "it can be a cause for concern", punctuate
- If it is very attractive, distrust
Rare items available easily and in large quantities, in addition to very surprising promotions, they are scenarios that seem tempting, but deserve attention. "It is essential to be wary of what is very tempting". Today, phishings are becoming increasingly elaborate and well done. Very attractive offers can be a strategy to lure victims to fake websites or untrustworthy stores, where personal and financial data can be stolen, Riviello alert
Social engineering is a manipulation practice widely used by scammers, that take advantage of commemorative dates and the desire to save money and create false promotions to attract unsuspecting consumers.
This type of bait can lead to sites where login information, password and financial details are stolen. This information can be used to access bank accounts, of the email and other personal data, completes the CG One specialist
- Cyber protection is never too much
It is recommended to use antivirus and protection software. Currently, there are browser extensions that can help identify malicious sites. Extensions are plugins that enhance the functionalities of the browser. They aim to block ads on web pages, make notes, check the spelling and much more to ensure safety. It is worth researching the most recommended plugins for the type of browser used and installing them, highlights Riviello
- Caution with banking information
To avoid being victims of a scam, there are security measures that consumers can implement in their daily lives to avoid potential threats. Some alternatives are the use of temporary credit cards, generated specifically for that purchase, payment via PIX or another method where the provided data cannot be reused, concluded the expert
