This time of year is full of holidays, whether it’s Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or every student’s favorite holiday – The First Day of Summer Vacation. Before any of these happen, though, there’s one other holiday to celebrate – Intel’s newly-minted Password Day!
How many of you reading this use the same password your Gmail, Facebook, and YouTube accounts? My guess is the vast majority of you do. I know that I do, or I use simple variations for everything. Not exactly the safest security plan. According to Intel, the average online user has 25 different passwords to remember. The problem with changing your passwords regularly or having different ones for each account is simple: there would just be too many to remember. Right? Wrong! Intel is launching Password Day on May 7 to show everyone how simple it is to have safe, secure, and uncrackable passwords for all of your accounts that are easy to type and remember. But why should you and your friends celebrate Password Day and be advocates for online security? Read on for the 3 common scams that you absolutely want to avoid.
- Scareware – Ever clicked on a link and immediately have 10 pop-up ads appear about protecting your computer with antivirus software? My friend, you’ve seen scareware. These ads target a user’s fear about pop-ups and other viruses attacking their computer. Of course, the irony is that the minute you click on the ad, it will download not the promised anti-virus software, but a virus itself.
- Phishing scams – in 2009, over 49,000 Phishing websites were reported. These sites trick users into giving personal information, whether it’s through email, ads or even social networking posts.
- Phony Websites – Whether it’s a fake banking website or a claimed e-commerce site with that adorable dress you want for 50% off, phony websites all have the same end-goal: to trick consumers and users into giving up their credit card info and other personal information. Links to these sites are often sent out as part of a phishing scam, through emails, ads, or various other venues. Once you visit them, you’ll also fall prey to a ton of malicious software or ads, so be sure to avoid them at all costs!
Not convinced yet? Watch the video below and we’re sure you’ll be getting everyone you know onboard tomorrow to say “I #changedmypassword!”