In the age of new technology, where an increasing amount of transactions happen in cyberspace, internet users need to remain a step ahead of scammers.

They need to be extra careful to not download unknown software and applications, and never open attachments from unknown senders while exercising caution when performing online transactions.

This advice comes from Anthony Ung, Country Manager for Southeast Asia, for network antivirus and content security expert, Trend Micro Incorporated.

"People can do anything online from shopping to paying bills and conducting business transactions.

"You don't have to prove who you are. As long as you have a credit card number, an indentification number and password, you can buy or download anything," he told Bernama in an interview recently.

According to Ung, identity theft or phishing and other computer security issues that can harm your reputation or that of others, are things to watch out for.

Phishing, for example he said, plays a major part in tricking victims into revealing personal information, which is then used to raid bank accounts, ring up credit card charges and apply for loans of credit.

He explained that phising scams arrive vie email and appear to originate from a legitimate organisation or agency, such as the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).

"The cybercriminals create a fake website which looks just like the original website of the IRB and spread it via email with blank subject lines.

"Instead of using the email address, irb.com, they used 1rb.com. This happens especially when the deadline for filing income taxes is looming.

"When you are rushing to submit your income tax, you don't realise that i looks like l. You just click, key in your password and identification number, put in all the data and send it.

"While you think you have submitted the file, it actually goes to the fake website. We call it as an integrated attack," he said.

Ung said most people are still unaware that cybercriminals use phony e-mails and fake websites to steal money and identity.

He said that social networking sites are popular with cybercriminals in tricking people into divulging personal information or downloading software onto their computers.

"Take Facebook, google or yahoo emails, for example. Everytime you type your password and identification, the cybercriminals also log in. When your the computer is not in use or busy, they go to your account and see what information you have.

"They then use it for something else, pretending it is you.

"Another thing is email scams. You may receive an email stating that you won a lottery or were selected randomly for a prize. They will request a fee to be paid upfront in order to get the prize.

Of course, you will not see the money," he added.

To protect and spot online scams, Ung said internet users are advised to change their identification and password every month, stop opening spam that tries to evade filters by delivering image instead of just text and defend personal information with anti-spyware technology.

Source : Bernama