Stay Cyber Safe and Secure on this 4th of July!

As proven with past holidays, cybercriminals understand that during these popular travel weekends, user vigilance is generally low. As we gear up to celebrate the 4th of July, it’s important to remember that safety and security should be a top priority—not just for your physical well-being, but for your digital life as well. Here are some tips to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable holiday while staying vigilant against potential scams.

Beware of Phishing Scams

- Check the sender: Be cautious of emails or messages from unknown senders, especially those that ask for personal information or include suspicious links.

- Look for red flags: Poor grammar, urgent language, and unfamiliar email addresses can be signs of a phishing attempt.

- Verify URLs: Before clicking on links, hover over them to see the actual URL. Only click if you are sure, it’s legitimate.

Zelle and Payment App Scams

- Verify recipients: Double-check the recipient’s information before sending money through Zelle or any other payment app.

- Beware of unsolicited requests: Scammers may pose as friends, family, or legitimate businesses to trick you into sending money. Be suspicious of unsolicited messages. If you receive a message that you were not expecting, your “Spidey Senses Antennae” should go up right away. Be wary, even if the message looks legitimate at first glance. Similar to figuring out whether to answer an incoming call from an unknown number or not, ask yourself why this person is contacting you and what they want.

- Never use the contact information in a suspicious message: If you receive a potentially suspicious message, contact the presumed sender using information you’ve looked up independently (i.e., don’t use any contact information in the message itself) to make sure they actually sent the message.

As we approach the July 4th holiday, organizations need to keep in mind that cybercriminals use holiday weekends like this as an opportunity to conduct sophisticated, targeted attacks.

Stay safe and vigilant and have a wonderful Independence Day from the ARK Solves Team!