Millions of UK Gmail and Outlook users tricked by these new scams - don't be next
A new warning has been issued to all Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo and other email users after an explosion in scams being generated by AI.
The next time you check your email inbox beware. A fresh alert has just been issued by security experts at McAfee after an "onslaught" of increasingly believable scams. In fact, the issue is now so bad, it's thought that phone and PC users are receiving more than seven fake messages every single day.
What's made the issue worse is the rise in Artificial intelligence with hackers using clever AI to increase the amount of scams they can push out across the globe.
And, if you're thinking most people now know the dangers and aren't being tricked, think again. McAfee's latest research suggests that around 49% of Brits have clicked on or fallen for a scam in the past year. More worrying is that 31% of those who fell for a fake message lost money as a result, including nearly 1 in 5 Brits losing more than £100.
To help users avoid being the next victim, McAfee has released a list of the most common new text and email scams which include being told there's a missed delivery or a prize has been won.
Lorraine's daughter makes surprise appearance on show
Lorraine's daughter makes surprise appearance on show
Here are the top 5 scams to watch out for
• Fake missed delivery, or delivery problem, notification
• “You’ve won a prize!”
• Alert message claiming to be from the recipient’s bank
• Information about a purchase the recipient didn’t make
• Sign in and location verification messages
If you get any messages like those above, be cautious before you click.
"It is a sign of the times we’re living in, that people are spending the equivalent of a full work week each year just deciphering whether scam messages are real or not,” said Vonny Gamot, Head of EMEA at McAfee. “With the advancements in AI, scam messages are more convincing than ever – in fact, the majority of Brits believe it is easier to solve the Rubik’s cube than it is to tell real from fake messages.”
“So that Brits can continue to protect their privacy, identity, and personal information in the age of AI, you really need AI in your back pocket to help shield you from the latest threats. Unfortunately, seeing is no longer believing and we need to rely on both human intelligence and AI to help detect and block scam messages in real time.”
3 ways to avoid
Think before you click. Cybercriminals use phishing emails or fake sites to lure people into clicking links that could lead to malware. If you receive an email asking you to click on a link, even if it’s a great-sounding deal or indicates it’ll provide useful information, it’s best to avoid interacting with the message altogether.
Remember that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is . Many scams are effective because the scammer creates a false sense of urgency or preys on a heightened emotional state. Pause before you rush to interact with any message that is threatening or urgent.
Use AI to beat AI. From blocking dangerous links that appear on text messages, social media, or web browsers, people across all platforms should take advantage of AI-driven technology to engage with text messages, read emails, and browse the web peacefully and securely.
This article has been taken from the Mirror website, copied and pasted to save you the adverts!