Tips to Safeguard Yourself from Internet Scams

Speedy Summary

• The article discusses vulnerabilities to internet scams, with a focus on phishing, ransomware, and spear-phishing attacks.
• A major ransomware attack in the U.S., involving Darkside hackers shutting down Colonial Pipeline operations, is cited as an example.
• Cognitive and emotional factors make individuals susceptible to online scams:

– Positive emotions can increase risk-taking behaviour when clicking on phishing links.
– Information overload impairs decision-making abilities during digital interactions.

• A study highlights that highly personalized spear-phishing emails are three times more effective at deceiving individuals than generic ones.
• Educational efforts and awareness significantly reduce susceptibility to phishing attacks.
• the data privacy company “Incogni” helps peopel remove personal details from the internet,mitigating risks related to scams.

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Indian Opinion Analysis

India’s growing reliance on digital infrastructure increases its potential vulnerability to cyber threats like ransomware or phishing. With attacks exploiting cognitive overload or emotional triggers becoming commonplace globally, there is an urgent need for India to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks. Public education campaigns highlighting scam prevention methods could empower citizens against these risks.For India-specific challenges such as multilingual content and diverse socio-economic dynamics shaping online behaviors, customization of anti-scam awareness programs may enhance effectiveness. Additionally, collaboration with private firms offering robust protective tools similar to Incogni could help safeguard personal data across platforms while supporting national data protection mandates.

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