While Valentine’s Day is a time for love and warmth, it also presents an opportunity for cybercriminals to strike. With emotions running high, people are more likely to lower their guard, making them vulnerable to cyber threats. Threat actors thrive on this, using the holiday as a prime time to exploit unsuspecting victims. Tech-savvy romantics can protect themselves from heartbreak this Valentine’s Day by staying vigilant and recognizing cybersecurity red flags instead of seeing the world through rose-colored glasses.
Common Cyber Threats and Red Flags to Look Out For
1. Romance Scams
· Fraudsters create fake profiles on social media and dating sites, then try to get you off these platforms to encrypted chat applications like WhatsApp and Telegram.
· Fraudsters claim to work abroad, be in the military or working on a secret mission, all in a bid to avoid meeting in-person.
· Claims to have a lucrative job.
2. Fake E-Cards and Phishing Emails
· Unsolicited emails
· Poor grammar
· Email address not matching legitimate senders
3. Malicious Apps
· Fraudulent love calculator apps or Valentine’s-themed games that request excessive permissions to steal data.
4. Digital Blackmail & Sextortion
· Requests for private content from new online acquaintances and threats to share images.
5. Social Media Giveaway Scams
· Fake contests and giveaways promising free gifts, vacations, or expensive jewelry but requiring users to enter personal details or make small "processing fee" payments.
How to Stay Safe Online
· Verify dating profiles and avoid sending money to online acquaintances
· Keep communication on the platform
· Avoid sharing sensitive information on social media apps
· Install apps from a legitimate source and check for permissions.
· Avoid clicking suspicious links.
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