The World of Tech Support Scams
Scammers most probably emerged as soon as the internet was born. As soon as its ability to connect with people was evident, scammers saw it as an opportunity to reach more victims. As technology progresses, so will they. They adapt to the newest trends and come up with even more absurd ideas to try to steal money or data. What kind of tech support scams are out there? And what are the smartest tech support scams?
How Tech Support Scams Work
Scammers will try to impersonate or pose like a tech support employee. They will call you on the phone and speak as if they’re speaking on behalf of a tech company. Scammers will try to make it seem as legit as possible, using tech vocabulary and trying to mislead you hoping you won’t catch up on it. They will probably lead you on, hoping you will install applications and allow remote access so they can use your device.
Additionally, they might try to get you by deceiving you into thinking there is an issue with your app or website. These messages pop up and might freeze your screen to make it seem more believable. These fake notifications will come with a ‘click here to contact a tech support employee prompt that will lead you directly to the scammer.
Three Clear Signs of a Tech Support Scam
1. Random email concerning an account
Recently scammers have been sending emails saying that your specific account has been suspended. Such a claim will make you rush to open the email. It might even contain a link claiming to help or fix the issue. Upon clicking the link, malicious software will infest your device, and scammers will access your crucial data.
.
2. Suspicious call from tech support
You’ll be going on through your day and get an odd call from a tech support employee out of nowhere. This employee will point out imaginary viruses on your device. Then he’ll gladly offer to take care of the issue if you give him remote access to control your computer. Sometimes they will even ask for a gift card or money transfer.
3. Nonsense Pop-ups
Finally, you’ll get random warnings while browsing the internet on your computer. These pop-ups will most likely have a number directing you towards tech sport. It is usually a tech support scam.
How to Avoid and Protect Yourself from Tech Support Scams
Tech support scams are among the smartest tech scams out there. But you can protect yourself from these scams and even avoid them. There are simple and easy ways to keep yourself protected. You need to keep a couple of things in mind while using the internet. Here is some advice on how to do so.
How to Not Fall for the Pop-Ups
- It is never the company
The main thing to be attentive to – and still mainly save you from many potential tech support scams – is that no legit company will ever put their numbers or even tech support numbers on a pop-up. These brands have dedicated pages and forums for tech support, so to keep it short, don’t ever believe any pop-up with a number on it.
Additionally, if you were using a website and noticed a lot of pop-ups with such messages, simply refrain from using it. This site is either long gone or still managed by scammers. Restart your computer and move on.
- Perform regular scans
Scan your computer, files, and sites regularly for malware. Currently, plenty of malware scanning software offers protection and will help you detect infected files and websites so that you won’t visit them anymore. Make sure to have the tools to keep yourself safe, and a malware scanner is essential.
- Never reveal info to anyone
Lastly, never reveal your information to anyone who calls you randomly and doesn’t even give them access. No matter how trivial, an experienced scammer can do a lot with so little. It takes seconds for malware to spread and for a scammer to get critical data about you or your financial credentials. Whenever you’re in doubt about an issue on your computer, contact the manufacturers, and whenever you’re in doubt about financial problems, contact your bank. A trusted professional can save you a lot of trouble. They are here to help you, so don’t feel like you can’t ask for help.
Final Thoughts
Tech support scams are endless, but your awareness can help you save yourself. Prevention is key. Proper knowledge and research will help you understand how actual companies act, so you’ll identify scammers more easily. It is not a daunting task. Small details won’t take much effort from you, but they’ll be essential on your journey towards a safer online experience.
Inside Telecom provides you with an extensive list of content covering all aspects of the tech industry. Keep an eye on our Cybersecurity space to stay informed and up-to-date with our daily articles.