Ever got emails from some Nigerian rich guys who want to give you millions of dollars? Or some so called good friend of yours who wants to sell you cheaper softwares? If you have replied / paid them some amount then you are already mugged, but if not then do read this post and save your hard earned money.
This list is not so small, there are other candidates also selling you security software to protect your computer from viruses or giving you a free smiley for your instant messaging softwares. The small time thieves who used to steal petty stuff have graduated to the higher levels, and this part of their lives is called cyber crime.
Following are the type of cyber crimes and our suggestions to tackle them without loosing on either money or your privacy.
The fear factor – As soon as you open some random website (mostly chatting, cheap social networks or porn sites) you get to see a large attention board on one side “150 viruses have been detected in your computer, click here to remove them now!”. There is a high probability that there were no viruses in your computer, but as soon as you click that link, be sure that your PC has those 150 viruses now.
Solution – Well, I cant tell you to not visit such sites, but please do not click any such links ever. Either ignore them or be sure that if you click on them then all your passwords are going to someone else in few seconds.
Buy cheap software – The keyword here is cheap (or would you like to call it junk? useless?). Most of the times it is developed by some amateur and lacks any usable features. They sell it for very less (US$ 20- 30). And believe me, no one can give you Windows original or Norton Original for that less, even if the person claims himself to be Bill Gate’s wife’s hair expert. And who knows if that software has some trojans?
Solution: Best option? – Go open source! Or buy original products.
The Nigerian Uncle – “Some of my relative died and he left me 25 million dollars, but I can’t get that money until I am 25. Please keep that money with you till then”. These emails are simply fraud. Once out of curiosity and to know the modulus operandi of these scammers, we knowingly bit that bait. And then the real game begun. The Nigerian guy replied, “We can give you only cash to prevent tax liabilities, but you will just have to give my co-worker air fare charges.” Got the catch? Their co-worker will take Rs 15,000 – 20,000 from you and then ask, “Who are you, uncle?”
Solution: Forward such emails to Cyber Crime Cell – India
Your Dream Job – “You have got a brilliant job with XYZ company, we will pay you 2 million dollars a month, posting in London, America. Reply with your resume ASAP” Once I went behind these guys, they ask you for visa charges and processing fees. And then the same question – Who are you, uncle?
Solution: Forward such emails to Cyber Crime Cell – India
Just remember people, there is no free lunch and there is no one sitting out there for charity. These are all just small examples, who knows how much money these spammers can take once they steal your bank account details? Probably all of it?
Abhishek
Try this for a Nigerian Phishing Mail
Maybe you should respond to a few of these sometimes…