Know a Trick or Two!
In the realm of cybersecurity, one insidious method that malicious actors use to obtain sensitive data is pre-texting. Pre-texting involves the creation of deceptive scenarios or false identities to trick individuals into divulging confidential information. To safeguard your personal and sensitive data, it is crucial to understand this tactic and adopt countermeasures. Here's an in-depth exploration of how to protect yourself and your information from pre-texting attacks:
- Be Cautious of Unexpected Requests: Pre-texters often rely on surprise and urgency to catch their targets off guard. If you receive an unexpected request for personal or financial information, especially if it involves an urgent matter, exercise caution. Take a moment to scrutinize the request before responding.
- Confirm Identities Independently: When faced with a request for sensitive data, independently verify the identity of the person or organization making the request. Do not rely solely on contact information provided in the request itself. Use official channels or contact information you already possess to confirm the legitimacy of the request.
- Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring multiple forms of verification before granting access. Enabling MFA on your accounts can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access, even if someone possesses some of your personal information.
- Limit Online Sharing: Avoid oversharing personal information on social media and other online platforms. The more information pre-texters can gather about you, the easier it is for them to craft convincing deceitful scenarios. Practice discretion in your online interactions and consider what information you share publicly.
- Handle Links with Care: Be cautious when clicking on links, especially those received via email or messaging apps. Pre-texters may send links that lead to fake websites designed to capture your login credentials or other sensitive information. Hover over links to preview their destination or navigate directly to the website in question by typing the URL into your browser.
Caitlin Joyce (CaitlinG) Galanza |
Awareness
Created: September 19 2023 | Updated: on 9/19/23