We often hear that those who don’t work directly within the world of cyber struggle to keep pace with the jargon that is bandied about. So we have set out the below using plain and simple language to explain what some of those terms mean:
Phishing – Getting scammed via email. The definition of ‘scam’ or ‘scammed’, getting deceived or defrauded.
Spear Phishing – Being targeted individually online but essentially getting scammed by email.
SMShing – Getting scammed via text messages.
Social engineering – Getting scammed by a person who will try and get you to do something you wouldn’t do if you knew their true intentions.
Ransomware – This type you will be blackmailed into parting with you hard earned cash because the cyber criminal has control over your data.
Vhishing – Yup, it’s another scam! This time the criminal will try and fool you using the telephone. They will try and get you to part with personal information by pretending to be somebody else, like a bank official or police officer.
It’s important to remember that crime is now committed on the Internet. If you make comparisons with the real world, there are streets you wouldn’t walk down, there are bars you choose not to go to and people you would rather not keep company with. Stop trusting the Internet.
There’s an old police term which is very relevant to the digital world. ABC, Assume NOTHING, Believe NOBODY, Check EVERYTHING.
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