Spoofing is a broad term for the type of behavior that involves a cybercriminal masquerading as a trusted entity or device to get you to do something beneficial to the hacker and detrimental to you. Spoofing can apply to a range of communication channels and can involve different levels of technical complexity.
Spoofing attacks typically include social engineering elements, in which scammers psychologically manipulate their victims by exploiting human vulnerabilities such as fear, urgency, greed, or a lack of technical understanding.
Email spoofing
Email Spoofing is one of the most widely used attacks, email spoofing occurs when the sender forges email headers to that client software displays the fraudulent sender address, which most users take at face value. Unless they inspect the header closely, email recipients assume the forged sender has sent the message. If it’s a name they know, they are likely to trust it.
Website spoofing
Website spoofing is when scammers make a fraudulent website resemble a legitimate one. The spoofed website will have a familiar login page, stolen logos, and similar branding, and even a spoofed URL that appears correct at first glance. Hackers build these websites to steal your login details and potentially drop malware onto your computer.
Tips on how to prevent an email and website spoofing attack:
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1. Check before you click: Hover over any links before you click to verify the URL. If you do click, confirm the URL after the page loads to ensure you weren’t redirected. Stick to sites that use HTTPS encryption.
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2. Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments from unfamiliar sources. They could contain malware or viruses which will infect your device. If in doubt, always avoid and report it.
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3. Make sure your email password is strong and complex. A strong password makes it harder for criminals to access your account and use it to send malicious emails from your account.
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4. Use a dedicated secure browser: Switch to a browser that prioritizes security and privacy, and one that’s less vulnerable to hijacking attempts than common browsers.
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5. Use strong antivirus protection on your personal devices: Many of the best free antivirus programs include built-in features that detect threats in real time. Install trusted antivirus security to further spoof-proof your device.
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6. Don’t give out personal information online. Avoid disclosing personal and private information online unless you are 100% sure it is a trusted source.