Cybercrime. . . and the Holidays

As our Christmas season is fast approaching please do not forget your good sense when shopping.  If it looks and sounds to good to be true it probably is.  Don't click on that banner to win a new ipad mini or car or whatever they are touting you can win.  It is probably a virus, malware or spyware, either way you will be in for trouble.  If you get an email about a hot deal from somewhere you have shopped before don't click on that link in the email it very well could be a phishing attempt.  If you really want to check out the deal re-type the address for the website given in the email in your address bar and see what happens.  These are a few of the things I have been reading about for my cybercrime classes I am taking this session.  I want everyone to be safe this wonderful Christmas season.  Another trick is smishing, this is text messaging you might receive saying their is a problem with your bank account.  Do not respond to this, call your bank with the number you have and know is your bank.  Never text bank information to anyone.  Your bank is probably not going to text you if they have a problem with your account.   Think before you act and like I said before if it sounds too good to be true it probably is, even on Black Friday.  Be safe online shopping.