A recent report from German email services GMX and WEB.DE shows that the number of spam emails rose to a new record of 1.65 billion per week during Black Week. Not only is this an increase from the usual 1.5 billion per week, but it's also an alarming trend for email users.
The scammers' tactics: exploiting the Black Friday hype
During Black Week, online criminals take advantage of consumers' bargain hunting to intensify their fraudulent activities. During this time, everyone is looking for the best price and often becomes careless, explains Arne Allisat, head of email security at GMX and WEB.DE.
So-called parcel service phishing is particularly dangerous, in which users are asked to pay postage or customs fees. Another tricky trap is fake discount offers from well-known shopping portals.
Protective measures against spam and phishing: Keep calm and check
To protect yourself from these fraudulent activities, it is important to remain calm and check emails carefully. This includes checking the sender address and the content of the email.
Additionally, users should avoid direct login links in emails and instead visit the company's official website in the browser.
If unauthorized access to the email account is suspected, immediate measures such as changing the password and setting up two-factor authentication are crucial.
Bottom line: vigilance and proactivity are key
The record numbers of spam emails during Black Week are a clear warning signal. Vigilance and a critical approach to email, especially during the online shopping boom, are essential to protect yourself from fraudsters. By acting consciously and proactively, users can effectively protect themselves from the increasingly sophisticated tactics of online criminals.
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Source: newsroom.gmx.net
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