How to Avoid Phishing Scams

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How to Avoid Phishing Scams as We Approach this
Years Tax Deadline
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Taxpayers throughout the country are prepared to
file their taxes as the deadline approaches.
However, in the thick of the hustle and frenzy of
tax preparations, fraudsters are also preparing
to take advantage of this advantageous time with
phishing attacks. Phishing attempts are becoming
more common and advanced, seeking to steal
sensitive personal and financial information from
unwary users. As the tax deadline approaches this
year, it is critical that we prepare ourselves
with knowledge and alertness to prevent falling
prey to these malevolent scams.
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The Dangers of Emotet Malware
Emotet is a modular Trojan that may collect
sensitive data from infected systems, deploy more
malware, and avoid detection by security tools.
The fake W-9 IRS tax form fraud is one of the
most recent strategies employed by cybercriminals
to distribute Emotet. This fraud involves sending
an email with a bogus W-9 form attached,
prompting the victim to activate macros in order
to access the forms contents. When a user
permits macros, malware is downloaded onto their
PC.
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In addition to phishing emails and tax frauds,
Emotet can be transmitted via exploit kits that
exploit vulnerabilities in unpatched software.
Malicious websites, malvertising (malicious
advertising), and compromised web servers can all
be used to deploy exploit kits. When a user
visits a website that hosts an exploit kit, the
exploit kit automatically scans their system for
vulnerabilities and deploys malware if one is
discovered. The malware is highly advanced and
can swiftly adapt to different surroundings. It
is also capable of communicating with its command
and control servers in order to acquire fresh
orders and updates. Because Emotet malware is
modular, criminals can add new capabilities and
features to the infection to meet their demands.
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How to Protect Against Tax Scams

• By following these guidelines, you can safeguard
  your sensitive information and ensure a secure
  tax filing experience.
• Recognize Phishing Scams
• The first step in avoiding phishing scams is to
  understand how they work. Phishing scams
  frequently involve fake emails, text messages, or
  phone calls impersonating legitimate
  organisations such as the IRS or tax software
  companies. Urgent requests for personal
  information, such as Social Security numbers,
  bank account information, or passwords, are
  common in these communications. Be suspicious of
  unsolicited communication, spelling and
  grammatical faults, and calls for fast action.
  Legitimate organisations will never request
  critical information by email or text message.

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• Be Cautious of Clicking Links
• Phishing emails frequently contain harmful links
  that take you to fake websites aimed to steal
  your personal information. Never click on strange
  links in emails or texts, especially if they come
  from unknown or untrusted sources, to avoid
  falling into this trap. Instead, manually enter
  the organizations website address or use a
  bookmarked link. Check that the URL starts with
  https and includes a padlock icon, indicating
  that it is a secure connection.

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• Strengthen Password Security
• It is vital to create secure and unique passwords
  in order to protect your sensitive data. When
  possible, use two-factor authentication (2FA) to
  add an extra degree of security. Be wary of any
  emails or messages that request your passwords or
  login details. Legitimate organisations will
  never ask for this information via email or text
  message.

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• Keep Software Updated
• Updating your software on a regular basis,
  including operating systems, web browsers, and
  antivirus software, is crucial for defending
  against potential vulnerabilities. Security
  patches that address known vulnerabilities
  exploited by cybercriminals are frequently
  included in updates. Allow automatic updates to
  ensure that you are always running the most
  recent and secure versions of your software.

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• Educate Yourself and Stay Informed
• To protect oneself from potential threats, it is
  vital to stay up to date on the latest phishing
  strategies and schemes. Maintain an up-to-date
  knowledge of news and information from trusted
  sources, such as the IRS website or recognised
  cybersecurity organisations. Learn to recognise
  common phishing red flags, such as urgent
  requests for personal information or unexpected
  emails claiming to be from the IRS. Share this
  information with your friends, family, and
  coworkers to create an awareness and support
  network.

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• Report Suspicious Activity
• If you stumble across a phishing scam or feel you
  have been targeted, please report it as soon as
  possible. If you receive an unusual email
  purporting to be from the IRS, contact them
  directly.

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Conclusion
As the tax filing deadline approaches, criminals
will continue to take advantage of the increased
concern surrounding tax files. You may protect
yourself from phishing scams by remaining
watchful, recognising phishing schemes, being
wary of clicking links, enhancing password
security, keeping software updated, staying
informed, and swiftly reporting suspicious
behaviour. Remember that the IRS would never
solicit personal information by email, so be wary
of any communication claiming to be from them.
You can ensure a secure and successful tax filing
experience by being proactive and educated.
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THANK YOU!
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