Phishing Attacks: How to Identify and Prevent Data Theft?

Around the world, and particularly in the context of isolation, many of us spend hours in front of the screen either  studying, working or buying things online . Depending on the internet much more than before, it becomes necessary, then, to be able to recognize and prevent the theft of our information . So here are some tips.

What is  phishing ? In short, a fraudulent attempt to obtain confidential information  - such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details - by masquerading as a trusted entity . This attack can come from an email with an attachment, a phone call, a download link, or even a malicious website. 

Therefore, you have to be alert and protect yourself:

1. NEVER deliver your data by email . Companies and banks will never ask for your financial or credit card information by mail.
2. If you doubt the veracity of the email or the sender, do not click on the link included in it. 
3. Bear in mind, also, that many times the email address has the name of the company with which you operate, but a different extension or extra words . For example, instead of saying Galicia.com, the extension is galicianegocios.com.
4. Always make sure to type the correct address of the website you want to visit , as there are hundreds of attempts to deceive the most popular pages with only one or two letters apart.
5. If you suspect that you were a victim of phishing , immediately change all your passwords and contact the company or financial institution to inform them.
6. Regarding phone calls, if they tell you that they have detected suspicious movements and ask for your card details, be suspicious; You NEVER have to give the security code that is on the back of it.
7. If you get a text message from "your" bank but it does not say what it is , it is also a trap to steal your data. Again, don't click on the included link .
8. If you go to a web page that is supposedly from your bank and a pop-up window appears in which you have to load your account data, be suspicious. Banks and credit cards never ask for all of your information or change their entry system without giving you much advance notice .
9. If you receive a friend request from an unknown contact on social networks and they tell you that they are contacting you to verify a transaction, surely you are about to be a victim of data theft. You never have to pass your bank details to a contact on a social network.
10. Shop on secure websites . If the design of the website is of poor quality it is probably false, merchants are very careful about their online stores; The same goes for offers, some are too good to be true.
11. Pay attention to the website URL. Malicious sites may look identical to a legitimate one, but the URL may use a variation in spelling or a different domain (eg .comversus.net).
12. Don't use sites that require you to download any software or enter personal information to access coupons or discount codes.
13. Always use total security software to protect your data before you get hurt.