Top 10 summer security threats

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It’s supposed to be summer, even though the Brits haven’t really seen much of one.

However, many people are still taking their holidays and the kids are off school, so it’s a point in time when many people are using the internet.

However as IT PRO readers are aware, there are risks out there, which it is sensible to be aware of.

Here are the top ten security threats to watch out for this summer, according to Trend Micro, as cyber criminals look to take advantage of computer users trying to enjoy their holidays.

10 - Discount traps

This is about malicious advertisements that are usually too good to be true, which becomes more popular during the summer time as shoppers spend more time looking for good deals.

Malware writers try to lure users onto specially-made malicious websites. A recent Trojan displayed fake advertisements about the newly released iPhone, as well as a fake website of an online store.

“They are using a commercial argument as a social engineering attack,” said Trend Micro senior ant-virus engineer David Sancho. “This is as old as malware.”

Sancho added that users were still falling for it, mostly through very persuasive emails.

9 - Fake travel deals and airline notifications

As booking tickets online is more convenient than travel agencies, cyber criminals continue to create spam messages to phish for credit card numbers.

Similar to discount traps, cyber criminals here pose as airlines. In the summer, there is a lot of travel movement, with many people looking for cheap deals.

“In the summer time, you are more likely to go to that fake advertisement,” said Sancho. “It’s just pure social engineering.”

Normally, when a user clicks on one of the links, they are redirected to a site that is malicious and where a user might think they are using the real website of an airline.

8 - E-commerce phishing attacks

This involves websites like eBay. Cyber criminals create crafty schemes to extort user information.

Sancho said that with big websites like eBay, criminals would want your login and password so they can pose as you.

“If you are a seller and somebody [by email] tells you they have a good summer offer for sellers, that sounds like a good eBay advertisement."

“If you click on the link, you are redirected to a fake website that looks like eBay – but where you will actually give away your username and password.”

Criminals could use your seller profile to sell fake products that they will never send.

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