With Father's Day (11/08) approaching, the increase in online promotions added to the desire to gift creates opportunities not only for consumers, but also for cybercriminals.In the first half of 2024 alone, Brazil recorded 1 million fraud attempts, totaling R$1.2 billion in losses, according to a study by ClearSale.
Denis Riviello, Head of Cybersecurity CG One, technology company focused on information security, network protection and integrated risk management, warns of the need to redouble attention when shopping on the internet in this period, in order to avoid falling into increasingly common and sophisticated scams.
To ensure gifts without losses, check out the tips on how to make a safe online purchase:
- Research the reputation of the store
There are store complaint sites that can help identify fraudulent brands, as they gather a compilation of reviews from other consumers who have already bought in the same place. According to Riviello, at this time, the sense of community can be an ally.
“It is important to research the reputation of the store on complaint pages, since they may contain reports of consumers who have been victims of online scams or fraud, as well as information about possible misleading practices. It is also recommended to search the history of the company on other web pages. Based on the information collected, the consumer can choose to do business only with companies that have a good reputation and a positive history”, he recommends.
- 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.
The expert warns: “never save the card number on devices and/or Browser, even if it is reliable. This makes it much easier for scammers to work if they can access the password or” device, he says.
- Look for signs of authenticity
Fraudulent websites, although well done, can be identified through some details, such as observing if the URL starts with “https://” and if it has a padlock icon in the address bar, which demonstrates a secure exchange of information between the device and the server. In addition, Riviello warns that legitimate websites have a tab of “Contact”.
- Stay tuned to the email
In addition to fraudulent sites, the email box can also be a threat, constantly scaring users with spam. Between 2022 and 2023, Brazil had 134 million phishing attempts, according to a report made by Kaspersky. And, for cases like this, the expert indicates that it is important to check the domain of the email, that is, what comes after the @‘.
- If you are very attractive, be suspicious
Rare items available easily and in large quantities, in addition to very surprising promotions, are scenarios that seem tempting, but deserve attention.“It is essential to be wary of what is very tempting. Today, phishings are increasingly elaborate and well made. Very attractive offers can be a strategy to bring victims to fake websites or unreliable stores, where personal and financial data can be stolen”, Riviello warns.
Social engineering is a manipulation practice widely used by scammers, who take advantage of commemorative dates and the desire to save money and create fake promotions to attract unsuspecting consumers.
“This type of bait can lead to websites where login information, password and financial details are stolen.This information can be used to access bank accounts, email and other personal data”, adds the CG One expert.
- Cyber protection never hurts
It is recommended to use antivirus and protection software. Currently there are browser extensions that can help identify malicious websites.“Extensions are plugins that complement the browser's features. They are intended to block ads on web pages, make notes, check spelling and more to ensure security. It is worth researching about the most recommended plugins for the type of browser used and install them”, says Riviello.
- Caution with bank information
To avoid being victims of a scam, there are security measures that consumers can put in place on a daily basis to avoid possible threats.“Ssome alternatives are the use of temporary credit cards, generated specifically for that purchase, payment via PIX or another method that the data provided can not be reused”, concludes the expert.
