Kaspersky advises how to ‘stay safe’ regarding Debenhams scammers

Debenhams customers have been targeted by scammers who are sending out an authentic looking e-mail as part of an elaborate phishing con.

In order to help consumers safeguard themselves from such scams, David Emm, principal security researcher at Kaspersky Lab, has offered the below comments and tips.

“There are some tell-tale signs that indicate that something is a phishing message (for example, banks and other organisations never send e-mails asking for confidential data) so, if you receive such an e-mail, assume it’s phishing. Remember, if it looks important, and you’re not sure, you should always call to check,” said Emm.

“Phishing relies on social engineering, i.e. manipulating human psychology. So, there are always new ways to try and trick people, and just like road safety, it’s best to adopt a security culture that will keep you safe in any situation – not just some that you’ve practised.

Kaspersky Lab recommends the following to help you reduce the amount of spam email you receive, therefore decreasing the risk of being a target of phishing attacks:

Use internet security software

Emm continued: “Make sure you install updates as soon as they are available and use unique, complex passwords for online accounts.

“It’s a good idea to have at least two email addresses.

Private email address

“Privat email adresses should only be used for personal correspondence, and should never be published on publicly accessible online resources.

Public email address

“Use your public email address when you need to register on public forums and in chat rooms, or to subscribe to mailing lists and other Internet services. Treat it as a temporary address and don’t be afraid to change it if you start getting inundated with junk mail.

Never respond to any unsolicited message

“Most spammers verify receipt and log responses. The more you respond, the more spam you’re likely to receive.

Think before you click ‘unsubscribe’

“Spammers send fake unsubscribe letters in an attempt to collect active email addresses. If you click ‘unsubscribe’ in one of these letters, it may simply increase the amount of spam you receive. Do not click on ‘unsubscribe’ links in emails that come from unknown sources.

Keep your browser updated

“So make sure that you use the latest version of your web browser and that all of the latest Internet security patches have been applied.”

Written by Leah Alger

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