Free public Wi-Fi at cafes, airports, and hotels is incredibly convenient, but it comes with significant security risks that many people overlook. When you connect to an unsecured network, you are essentially sharing a digital room with everyone else connected to it. This makes it alarmingly easy for cybercriminals to spy on your online activity and steal your sensitive information.

One of the most common threats is a "Man-in-the-Middle" (MitM) attack. On an unsecured network, a hacker can position themselves between your device and the Wi-Fi router. From this position, they can intercept all the data that you send and receive, including passwords, bank account details, and private messages. Because the data is not encrypted, it's like sending a postcard that anyone can read.

Another prevalent danger is the "Evil Twin" hotspot. A criminal can set up a fake Wi-Fi network with a legitimate-sounding name, such as "Free Airport Wi-Fi" or "CafeGuest." When you connect to this malicious hotspot, the hacker has full control and can monitor everything you do, redirect you to fake websites to steal your login credentials, or even install malware on your device.

Key Risks of Using Public Wi-Fi:

• Unencrypted Connections: Most public Wi-Fi networks do not encrypt the data sent over them, making your information visible to anyone on the same network.
• Malware Distribution: Hackers can exploit software vulnerabilities to inject malware onto your device when you're connected to an unsecured network.
• Session Hijacking: Cybercriminals can steal the browser cookies that keep you logged into websites, allowing them to hijack your sessions and gain access to your accounts.
• Snooping and Eavesdropping: Specialized software kits make it simple for even amateur hackers to "sniff" the data packets traveling over a network and extract valuable information.

How to Stay Safe on Public Networks:

• Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network): This is the most effective way to protect yourself. A VPN creates a secure, encrypted tunnel for your data, making it unreadable to anyone trying to intercept it.
• Verify the Network Name: Before connecting, ask an employee for the official name of the Wi-Fi network. Avoid connecting to generic or suspicious-sounding hotspots.
• Stick to HTTPS Websites: Ensure the websites you visit use HTTPS (look for a padlock icon in the address bar). This encrypts the connection between your browser and the website, providing a crucial layer of security.
• Turn Off Sharing: Make sure file and printer sharing is turned off in your device's settings. You can usually designate a network as "Public" in your settings, which will automatically adjust these options for you.
• Avoid Sensitive Activities: Do not log in to your bank, make online purchases, or access confidential work documents while on public Wi-Fi unless you are using a VPN.

Tech support scams have been around for a while, but they remain a persistent threat. These scams rely on frightening you with claims that your computer is infected with a virus or has a serious technical problem. Scammers impersonate support agents from well-known companies like Microsoft or Apple to gain your trust.

The scam often starts with an alarming pop-up message on your screen that warns of a security breach and tells you to call a specific phone number for help. In other cases, you might receive an unsolicited phone call from someone pretending to be a technician who has detected a problem with your device.

Their goal is to convince you to give them remote access to your computer or to pay for unnecessary and fake technical support services. Once they have access, they can steal your personal information, install malicious software, or access your bank accounts. They often demand payment through methods that are difficult to trace, such as gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

Key Red Flags of a Tech Support Scam:

• You receive an unsolicited call or message. Legitimate tech companies will not contact you first about a problem with your computer. Real security warnings will never ask you to call a phone number.
• You see a scary pop-up warning. These fake alerts are designed to cause panic and may even freeze your browser to seem more legitimate.
• They ask for remote access. Never give control of your computer to someone you don't know and trust.
• They demand immediate payment. Scammers create a sense of urgency and often ask for payment through unconventional methods like gift cards.

What to Do Instead:

• If you get an unsolicited call, hang up. Don't engage with the caller.
• If you see a pop-up, close your browser. You may need to use your computer's Task Manager or Force Quit function if the browser is frozen.
• Never call the number in a pop-up or unexpected email. If you need tech support, contact the company through their official website.
• Keep your security software updated. Run regular scans with a trusted antivirus program to check for any real issues.

Phishing attacks that use text messages, also known as "smishing," are becoming increasingly common. These messages are designed to trick you into giving away personal information by creating a sense of urgency or curiosity. Common examples include fake bank fraud alerts, package delivery notifications, or promises of prizes.

For instance, you might get a text that says: "We've detected unusual activity on your account. Please click the link to verify your transactions: [malicious link]." Another popular smishing attempt involves a message claiming a package delivery has failed and requires you to click a link to reschedule. The goal is to get you to click a link that leads to a fake website, where your login details or financial information can be stolen.

How to Identify a Smishing Attempt:

• Unexpected Contact: Be cautious of messages from companies or individuals you don't normally communicate with via text. Legitimate companies will typically not ask for sensitive information through a text message.
• Sense of Urgency: Smishing messages often try to rush you by claiming your account is locked or that you will miss a delivery if you don't act immediately.
• Suspicious Links: Before clicking, examine the link. Scammers often use URLs that are slightly different from official websites. On most phones, you can press and hold the link to see a preview of the web address without opening it.
• Vague Language: The message may use a generic greeting like "Dear customer" instead of your name.
• Requests for Information: A real bank or service provider will not ask you to provide passwords, PINs, or your Social Security number in a text message.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Text:

• Do Not Click or Reply: Interacting with the message can confirm to the sender that your number is active.
• Verify Independently: If the message claims to be from your bank or a company you do business with, contact them directly using their official website or a phone number you know is legitimate. Do not use the contact information provided in the text.
• Block the Number: Most smartphones allow you to block unknown numbers to prevent future messages.
• Delete the Message: Once you've confirmed it's a scam, remove the message from your phone.

I was expecting a package, so when I received a text message about an "unpaid customs fee of $2.50" holding up a delivery, it seemed plausible. Small, unexpected fees can happen with international shipping.

The message stated: "Your parcel [ID: UK9XXXXX12] requires a customs fee of $2.50. To schedule delivery, please visit: [suspicious-link-here]. Pay within 24 hours to avoid return."

The link did not look like it belonged to an official postal service. It was a generic-sounding URL. That was the first sign something was off. However, the small fee and the 24-hour deadline are designed to make people act quickly without thinking too much.

The real goal of this scam isn't the $2.50. It's to get you to click the link and enter your information on a fake payment page. On that page, you would be asked for:

• Your full name and address.
• Your credit or debit card number, expiration date, and security code.
• Possibly other personal details for "verification."

How to Spot This Type of Scam:

• Unsolicited Contact: Are you actually expecting an international package that might have fees?
• Vague Details: The message likely won't use your name and will provide a generic tracking number you don't recognize.
• Suspicious Links: Examine the URL. If it doesn't match the official website of a known courier, do not trust it.
• Urgent Deadlines: The "pay within 24 hours" threat is a tactic to create pressure.
• A Small, Believable Fee: A small amount is used to make you lower your guard.

What You Should Do:

• Do not click the link.
• Use official channels. If you are expecting a package, go to the courier's official website and use your real tracking number to check its status.
• Delete the message.

It starts with a phone call that appears to be from your bank. A person introduces themselves as a fraud prevention officer and tells you about suspicious activity on your account. When you confirm you didn't authorize the transactions, they tell you not to worry.

The caller explains that they need your help to catch the criminals. They may transfer you to another person claiming to be a police officer, who will explain that they are conducting a secret investigation.

This is the core of the scam. The "officer" will tell you that to protect your remaining funds and help with the "sting operation," you must move your money to a "secure account" they provide, which is often a cryptocurrency wallet. They create a sense of urgency and stress that you must not tell anyone, as it could compromise the "investigation."

These criminals are skilled at sounding professional and using tactics to manipulate you, such as:

• Faking the Caller ID to make the call look legitimate.
• Using an authoritative tone and specialized language.
• Insisting on immediate action and secrecy.
• Threatening you with legal trouble, like being arrested for "obstructing justice" if you do not cooperate.

Once the money transfer is complete, the callers disappear, and the phone numbers no longer work. You were not helping an investigation; you were the victim.

How to Avoid This Scam:

• A real bank or police officer will NEVER ask you to move money to a "safe account." This is the most important rule. If you are asked to do this, it is a scam.
• Hang up and verify. If you get a call like this, end the conversation immediately. Find the official phone number for your bank (on their website or the back of your card) and call them directly.
• Be suspicious of demands for secrecy or speed. Legitimate processes are not conducted with this kind of pressure.
• Any mention of cryptocurrency is a major red flag. Official institutions will not ask you to convert your money to cryptocurrency for an investigation.

QR (Quick Response) codes have become common for everything from viewing menus to making payments. While convenient, their widespread use has led to a new kind of phishing known as Quishing.

How Quishing Works: Scammers take advantage of the trust people have in QR codes. For example, they might:

• Cover a legitimate QR code on a parking meter or flyer with a malicious sticker.
• Send emails with QR codes that appear to be from a trusted source, but which lead to fake websites.
• Use QR codes in fake ads that direct you to pages designed to steal your information.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Inspect Public QR Codes: Before scanning, check if the code is a sticker placed over another one. If it looks altered, do not scan it.
• Think About the Context: Be cautious of QR codes in unexpected places or in unsolicited emails.
• Preview the URL: Many modern phones show you a preview of the web address before opening it. Check for misspellings or unusual domain names.
• Verify the Destination: If a QR code leads to a login page or asks for personal information, stop. Open your browser and navigate to the official website manually to confirm you are in the right place.
• Use Mobile Security Software: Consider installing security software on your phone that can help detect and block malicious websites.

QR codes are a useful tool, but it is important to be aware of the risks. By being careful and thinking before you scan, you can use them safely.

Have you ever gotten an urgent message from a "family member" asking for money? Or perhaps an email from your "manager" with an immediate request to buy gift cards? These are common examples of impersonation scams. Unlike many phishing emails, these messages often skip the malicious links and rely on pressure and manipulation.

Example 1: The "Manager" Scam. An employee received an email that appeared to be from her company's CEO, instructing her to buy several gift cards for a client. The email explained that the CEO was traveling and couldn't do it, promising to reimburse her later. The sense of urgency and the request from a person in authority almost worked, but the employee remembered it was against company policy. She called her boss directly and confirmed it was a scam.

Example 2: The "Relative in Distress" Scam. A man received a call from someone who claimed to be his grandson. The caller said he was in trouble and needed money wired to him, pleading with the man not to tell his parents. The emotional appeal and the request for secrecy are common manipulation tactics. The man felt worried but called his son first, who confirmed the grandson was safe at home.

How to Stay Safe:

• Confirm Independently: Use a trusted phone number or contact method to get in touch with the person directly and verify the request. Do not use contact information provided in the suspicious message.
• Be Wary of Urgency: Scammers invent false deadlines to rush you. Pause and think, especially if a request is unusual.
• Notice Unusual Payment Methods: Requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency are red flags. Legitimate businesses and individuals rarely use these for unexpected needs.
• Trust Your Instincts: If a situation feels strange or pressured, it is likely a scam.

An email appeared in my inbox from a well-known retailer, informing me of a large, unexpected purchase. For a moment, I was concerned my account had been compromised. The message contained a convenient link and instructed me to "Click here to view details and cancel the order if this wasn't you." The link appeared genuine, and my first instinct was to click it.

However, something felt wrong. I decided to pause and examine the email more carefully. That's when I noticed the typical signs of a scam.

These are common indicators of a phishing attempt. If you need a reminder, you can learn more about how to spot a phishing email here.

Instead of using the link, I opened a new browser tab and typed the store's official web address myself. I logged in and checked my order history, which showed no recent activity. The email was a fake, designed to trick me into giving away my password or payment information.

The key takeaway is that criminals often use feelings of fear and urgency to their advantage. When you receive a message that causes alarm, take a moment to verify it through official channels. A few seconds of caution can prevent a significant problem.

Hello and welcome to the official blog for ShowMyIP. We created this space to provide useful advice, current information, and general insights on staying safe online. Our goal is to give you the information you need to use the internet with confidence. We have content that can help, whether you are just starting to learn about cybersecurity or want to update your knowledge.

We will be covering subjects such as how to identify a phishing email, the warning signs of a fraudulent website, and methods for creating secure passwords. You can also test your knowledge with our Online Safety Quiz.

Check back for new posts that will help you protect your data and steer clear of frequent online hazards.