With Halloween looming closer, it’s not just the monsters under the bed we have to worry about. Ghosts hide in unexpected places, ghouls are lurking at our fingertips, the real horrors of Halloween are closer than you might realise – clicking on an email can unleash upon you, great terrors! Our inboxes are filled with unwelcome surprises and these sorts of monstrosities won’t be scared away by garlic, mirrors or a silver bullet.
Trick or Treat?
With the spooky season upon us don’t allow yourself to fall victim to hackers who take advantage of Halloween marketing emails hoping to lure you into their trap. Promises of scarily low prices may seem appealing but think twice before you open a link sent to you via email. Do not be fooled – remember to check the domain address twice to see if the message is from a legitimate sender.
By keeping lists of safe contacts, you can be more confident that you are not being lured into giving away data or sensitive information. Phishing emails can come in all different shapes and sizes, you don’t have to be asked for data directly to be tricked into giving it away so be confident you know who you’re dealing with before making any decisions that could come back to bite you.
Beware of a (were)Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Today, hackers are more sophisticated than ever before, domain addresses can be replicated directly and they no longer show classic telltale signs like big teeth or sharp claws. No matter how hard you look there is seemingly no difference between a fake email and a legitimate one so it is essential you make use of the safety features and verification methods readily available to you.
Most email providers such as the likes of Gmail and Microsoft have anti-phishing and malware capabilities and have already adopted DMARC – make use of these protection methods and don’t rely on the naked eye to spot an imposter.
Delving into the Darkness
With new online retailers popping up every day, it can be tempting at Halloween to try somewhere new to buy your broom or cauldron, but remember to err on the side of caution. There are ghosts lurking around every corner and it’s important to remember that while your inbox might be protected – some retailers’ digital assets aren’t.
Before you partake in any risky business, take the time to search who you’re shopping with. Often, a quick Google search can flag up any horror stories about untrustworthy retailers and save you from becoming their next casualty. But, if you do choose to go with someone you don’t know, companies that invite double sign-ins or ask that ask for email verification are more secure than those who don’t.
Don’t fall victim to everyday inbox horrors – you wouldn’t face a zombie attack without gathering some supplies first, so be prepared and use what’s readily available to you to ensure you are prepared for what lurks behind the corner. This Halloween, remember: don’t forget your fancy dress, get to grips with DMARC, know who you’re dealing with, make use of in-built safety features and most importantly, don’t go into that haunted house alone!