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You sound like a cryptocurrency enthusiast who worries about everything. scam We want to know what's going on in the crypto market and how to protect ourselves from it. is that so?
If so, this guide is meant to keep you in the safe zone. Because the crypto industry is huge, cybercriminals are always looking for ways to exploit people in it in any way they can. It is imperative that you keep your emails safe to avoid falling victim to scams.
In 2022, Kaspersky reported preventing approximately 5 million cryptocurrency-related phishing attacks. This is an increase of 40% compared to the previous year.
This shows the urgency of remaining vigilant. email security.
Understanding crypto phishing scams
First of all, it's important to know what you're up against. Cybercriminals are constantly on the lookout for any opportunity to steal valuable crypto assets. Her one type of cryptocurrency scam is a cryptocurrency phishing attack.
Phishing is a type of cyberattack in which malicious actors attempt to trick people into divulging personal information. Essentially, these attackers pretend to be a trusted source of information or use other sneaky methods to trick users into sharing valuable details. In a crypto phishing scam, an attacker may trick a crypto wallet into believing that the person is trustworthy enough to share their credentials, with the goal of stealing your cryptocurrency.
In 2023, an astonishing 88% of AI phishing or deepfake fraud techniques targeted the crypto sector.
Common tactics used by cryptocurrency scammers
There are many methods these attackers use to trick you. The main ones include:
- Business Impersonators: In this scam, the attacker impersonates someone within the company, such as an employee or a specific department. This is done to trick other employees or individuals into divulging confidential information by tricking them into thinking they are communicating with a co-worker or a trusted authority figure within the company.
- Government impersonators: Here, scammers act as if they are from government agencies and organizations. They exploit people's fear and respect for the law to get them to provide personal and financial information. Scammers trick victims into believing they need to comply with legal requirements or face consequences.
- Occupation faker: In this type of scam, the attacker poses as a recruiter or employer and often offers a great job opportunity. They target people looking for work and force them to share personal information or even pay money. This could be disguised as an application fee, training materials, or other job-related expenses.
Biggest cryptocurrency scam in history
- Founded by Dr. Ruja Ignatova and her husband Daniel Davek, the altcoin became the basis of a company called Cryptocurrency Investment Scheme Company. One coin. The company defrauded people of $25 billion.
- Turkish virtual currency exchange company sodex From 2017 to 2021, he defrauded 100,000 investors of more than $2 billion.
- Gerald Cotton, Founder of Canadian Cryptocurrency Exchange Platform Quadrigastole CAD 250 million from users.
- centra tech The company, founded by Ray Trapani and co-founded by Sohrab Sharma and Robert Farkas, stole billions of dollars from customers through fraud.
- Sam Bankman Freed made headlines as America's biggest financial fraudster. FTX – his cryptocurrency company.
Protect your email from cryptocurrency phishing scams
Use strong and unique passwords
It may seem obvious, but the importance of strong passwords cannot be overstated. Choose long and complex passwords that include a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. And no, “password123” doesn't work. Think more about the line “e$7Jb!9pR3t”. Even better, use a password manager so you can keep track of your various passwords without risking forgetting them.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
It doesn't hurt to add an extra layer of security. Two-factor authentication requires not only your password, but also something only you have access to, such as your mobile phone. This means that even if someone steals your password, there is still a barrier to your account.
Please be careful of suspicious emails
If an email looks weird, it probably is. Watch for telltale signs of phishing.
- Spelling mistakes and awkward language
- Urgent requests for personal information
- Links that do not match the expected sender's website
If in doubt, always check by contacting the sender directly through a known and reliable method.
Pro Tip: Stay One Step Ahead of Scammers
Apart from the above steps, here are some important tips to keep your cryptocurrency safe from attackers.
Use a dedicated email for cryptocurrency transactions
Consider having a separate email address specifically for cryptocurrency transactions. This greatly reduces the risk of your key emails and more sensitive personal information being compromised.
Keep your software up to date
Get in the habit of installing updates for your email client, web browser, and operating system as soon as they're available. These updates often include patches for security vulnerabilities that, if exploited, could lead to unauthorized access to your email.
encrypt email
For those looking for an extra layer of security, email encryption can be a game-changer. Messages are scrambled so only those with the appropriate encryption key can read them. Tools like PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) are popular among cryptocurrency users.
Email security best practices for cryptocurrency users
Here are the best ways to protect yourself and your crypto assets.
Enable firewall
firewall Act like a bouncer at the entrance to the digital space. Scrutinize incoming and outgoing emails to block suspicious or unverified content. If you're still receiving spam email despite your email service provider's default firewall, it may be time to consider additional email security services. These services specialize in more advanced filtering techniques and can provide an additional layer of security to prevent unwanted emails from getting in.
Avoid behavioral bias
It's easy to respond immediately to emails that seem especially urgent. However, this behavioral bias can lead you directly into a trap. Before you respond to or act on an email, take the time to check the source. Before sharing sensitive information, look for strange language or out-of-place details, and verify the sender's identity through independent means. Being methodical can protect you from many potential threats.
Avoid unsecured Wi-Fi networks
Unsecured Wi-Fi networks like coffee shops and airports are a hacker's playground. Using these networks allows someone else on the network to intercept your data. To protect your information, Virtual private network (VPN). A VPN encrypts your internet connection, making it very difficult for hackers to access your data or track your online activities.
Use anti-phishing software
Anti-phishing solution Provides essential shielding when dealing with advanced phishing attacks that can bypass simple filters. These tools analyze emails and his web browsing and block malicious links and sites in real time. Stay ahead of emerging fraud using threat intelligence and provide proactive protection that adapts to emerging threats.
Protect yourself from crypto phishing scams with PowerDMARC!
Protecting yourself from potential email threats is as important as ever. We at PowerDMARC can help protect you and other cryptocurrency users from pervasive threats. email fraud It originates from its own domain. We help you implement critical email authentication protocols that strengthen your domain's defenses against phishing attacks.
Comprehensive reporting and email traffic visibility allows cryptocurrency organizations to quickly detect and mitigate fraudulent attempts to compromise email communications.
For those in the cryptocurrency industry where transactions are irreversible and privacy is important, using an email verification service can definitely make a positive difference.Please sign up for free trial Go ahead and test the platform for yourself!
*** This is a PowerDMARC Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog written by Ahona Rudra. Read the original post: https://powerdmarc.com/crypto-scam-email-safety/
