The recent CrowdStrike episode was a reminder to everyone that despite the strides made in digital development over the past couple of years, online systems are not bulletproof. The crash that affected millions of Windows operated systems around the world, even bringing hospitals and schools to a standstill, was a stark warning that we cannot be complacent with technology and software and need to remain on the lookout for online threats and malfunctions.
Personal Responsibility
Nowadays, with more activity taking place on digital devices, there is greater emphasis on cybersecurity to protect the millions of users that are using online services daily. The accessibility afforded to people of all ages also promotes the idea of being responsible for oneself. This begs the question though: what are examples of emerging online dangers to consider?
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Delivery Scams
With the Christmas period approaching and people around the world already working their way down their shopping lists, the buying activity on the internet skyrockets. Over the years, people have become reliant on online shopping services that offer delivery such as Amazon. As a result, more fraud artists are turning their attention to target online shoppers who might even get more desperate to receive packages as Christmas gets closer.
The most recent form of fraud comes in the form of emails. Amazon work with reputable companies such as DHL, Hermes, and the USPS® to ensure packages are delivered as soon as possible, sometimes the next day. These shipping companies still send out notifications by email, often containing shipment numbers and a link to follow the delivery. This is where the trap lies. Do not click on any links if you think an email is remotely suspicious. Nowadays, fraudulent emails are getting closer to looking authentic. However, there are still a couple of effortless ways to spot a fake:
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Hover the mouse over the sender’s email address. Should it not resemble a company domain name like, then it is not genuine.
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Check how you are addressed. Anything but your name should arouse suspicion.
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Check for spelling mistakes or mis-formatting in the email body. Anything irregular should be questioned.
Financial Transactions
The transfer of money has never been easier. With online banking tools in the form of smartphone apps and the ability to send money via text message, sending money can be done at the click of a few buttons. This is where the danger lies. The risk of identity theft has never been greater and with more entertainment options finding their homes in the online realm, there are new industries and websites to be more vigilant on.
Emerging Entertainment Avenues
While this is the season for shopping, Americans right now are reveling in new forms of entertainment that are quickly building their presence in the online world. One of the rising phenomena is iGaming, which includes online casino play and sports betting. Due to the nature of the casino games created in convenient online formats, financial transactions in the form of deposits are required to play them.
Online gambling operators are also a good example of websites that contain all the aspects to look out for to ensure they are legitimate. And due to their rapid rise in the entertainment industry, there will still be an element of uncertainty with some operators. However, the following checks apply generally to online financial transactions:
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Check the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate.
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Use reliable payment methods like wire transfers or e-wallets.
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Check that the online casino is fully licensed (details usually at the bottom of each webpage). Fully licensed online gambling providers will have state-of-the-art encryption software installed on the website.
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Set up two-step authentication for payments if possible.
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Self-Control
The easiest way to take responsibility for yourself is to set rules, regardless of whether that is spending money online or partaking in gaming or iGaming activity that involve gamification features. Particularly for iGaming operators, there are also support bodies such as Gamban that provide assistance for those overspending. There are also a range of online casinos not on Gamban that offer different and interesting features, but more online casinos are including self-exclusion options to protect their players.
The iGaming industry especially is likely to expand in the near future and receive even greater recognition and other new innovative entertainment options could emerge. With the online world still a relatively unknown realm, exuding self-awareness in this space will become increasingly important. Whatever you get up to online, getting caught out will only sour the experience.