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What Is Phishing And How Can You Protect Yourself From It?

Ever gotten an e-mail offer that seemed just a little bit too good to be true? Might’ve been a phishing attempt! These are everywhere and can come in many different forms. 

So what’s phishing exactly, how can you detect it and how can you keep safe?

What is phishing?

Phishing (pronounced like fishing) is a type of cyberattack that tricks the user into trusting the source and revealing sensitive information. Fishing being the perfect analogy, the bait is a legitimate-looking site, e-mail or file and when you take a bite, your identity, banking information and much more can be revealed and stolen.

Phishing Illustration
Credit Anne Nygård on Unsplash

Some phishing attempts are incredibly obvious, others are super elaborate. Like with most types of malware, cybercriminals have become extremely well-versed in phishing and anyone can fall for it. To help you recognize and avoid it, we’ll take you through a couple of phishing types and give you tips on what to do if faced with them.

Phishing techniques

E-mail phishing

This is actually the most common type of phishing. A cybercriminal creates an e-mail containing stuff like attractive offers, legitimate-looking attachments or links and makes it appear as though it’s coming from a trusted source.

Illustration of Email Phishing
Credit Justin Morgan on Unsplash

For example, it looks like it’s coming from your bank or your favorite retailer. The logo looks legit and the structure of the e-mail seems familiar, so you might get tricked into clicking on whatever clickable content is in it.

Unfortunately this exposes your device to malware that hands your data off to the hacker, who can decide what to do with it further.

SMS and social media phishing

Like the above example, you could be approached with lucrative offers or links via text messages or social media messages. Typically, the messages seem relevant to the user as they will be made to look like they’re related to apps or services you’re using.

Voice phishing

Voice phishing attacks are schemes that appear as though they’re coming from a credible number. Normally, you’ll get a call about something related to credit cards or taxes to get you into a state of worry, leading you to disclose personal information on the phone.

Spear phishing, whaling and BEC

Spear phishing normally targets specific individuals within a company who are likely to have access to sensitive data. Spear phishers spend time collecting information they can use to reach out to the individual looking as trustworthy as possible. They’ll typically lead with something relevant, for example mentioning an upcoming company event, and make a seemingly legitimate request.

Whaling is a more elaborate form of spear phishing, which targets people in even stronger positions such as executives or high-value individuals. The ultimate goal is to get them to transfer financial or other sensitive information that can be used to compromise the entire business.

Spear Phishing Illustration
Credit Azamat E on Unsplash

BEC, or Business e-mail compromise, is a specific spear phishing technique carried out via e-mail. While there are many ways this is done, most commonly you’ll see instances where the phisher poses as a CEO or similar executive, or as a lower-level employee in specific positions (e.g. sales managers or financial controllers).

In the first situation, the impersonator reaches out to employees requesting them to transfer certain files or pay invoices. In the second situation, the phisher takes control of the employee’s e-mail account and sends false instructions to other employees in order to obtain data and information from them.

What can you do?

There are many ways you can be aware and spot a phishing attempt. Here are some tips:

  • Always check the sender’s address in your e-mails, even when they seem to come from a familiar source.
  • In any instance where payment information is requested, be very, very careful.
  • If you are receiving attachments you never asked for and definitely didn’t expect, better not click on them. 
  • Beware of content that transmits a sense of urgency (sales deals, urgent updates to login credentials, etc.).
  • Bad spelling and grammar are usually a telltale sign of phishing.
  • Links that look shortened (e.g. Bit.ly) or just suspicious in general - if you have a bad feeling, do not click on them.
  • If you are receiving threats, you probably shouldn’t be clicking on anything in that message.
  • Always examine first-time senders in detail.
  • Block suspicious e-mail addresses, numbers and social media accounts.
  • If you are receiving a coupon for free stuff… You aren’t.
  • If you’re being asked to update your payment details by a service you use, such as Netflix, chances are it’s an impersonator.

Those are some of the ways to identify and prevent phishing attacks. However, sometimes phishers disguise themselves a little too well or a misclick happens and there you go - you’ve been exposed to malware.

Illustration of a Lock on Keyboard Keys
Credit FLYD on Unsplash

This won’t happen if you invest in powerful protection software from the get-go, though. A good antivirus program like Bitdefender will keep you safe from becoming a victim of phishing scams. In fact, it will protect you from malicious attacks overall.

Be it your household or your business you’re concerned about, there are a bunch of different packages and options available, providing different kinds of cybersecurity services. That’s the only way you can ever really be sure you aren’t at risk of a digital attack.

Summary

Have you ever been targeted by phishers and didn’t know that’s what it was until you read this article? Many can relate. Protect yourself before it’s too late!

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Files: C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempinproc.temp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp1.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp2.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp3.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp4.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp5.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp6.tmp c:autoexec.bat C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp1.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp2.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp4.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TemptmpA.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TemptmpE.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TemptmpF.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempsearchprotect_w_prechecker.exe C:WINDOWSsystem32rsaenh.dll C:WINDOWSRegistrationR000000000007.clb C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempinproc.temp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp1.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp2.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp3.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp4.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp5.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp6.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp7.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempsearchprotect_w_prechecker.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempwajam_validate.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp1.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp2.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp3.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp4.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp5.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp6.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Temptmp7.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1TemptmpA.tmp C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempsearchprotect_w_prechecker.exe C:DOCUME1USER1LOCALS1Tempwajam_validate.exe File %COMMONDESKTOPSpeedItup Free.lnk. File %COMMONPROGRAMSSpeedItup Free.lnk. File %COMMONPROGRAMSSpeedItup FreeSpeedItup Free.lnk. File %COMMONPROGRAMSSpeedItup FreeUninstall SpeedItup Free.lnk. File %COMMONSTARTMENUSpeedItup Free.lnk. File %LOCALSETTINGSTempspuad0.exe. File %LOCALSETTINGSTempspuad1.exe. File %PROGRAMFILESDisplay Offerdelayexec.exe. File %PROGRAMFILESDisplay Offerwait.exe. File %PROGRAMFILESSpeedItup Freedelayexec.exe. File %PROGRAMFILESSpeedItup Freespdfrmon.exe. File %PROGRAMFILESSpeedItup Freespeeditupfree.exe. File %SYSDRIVEProgram Files (x86)SpeedItup Freeupgradepath.ini. File %WINDIRSpeedItup Freeuninstall.exe. Directory %COMMONPROGRAMSSpeedItup Free. Directory %PROGRAMFILESDisplay Offer. Directory %PROGRAMFILESSpeedItup Free. Directory %SYSDRIVEProgram Files (x86)SpeedItup Free. Directory %WINDIRSpeedItup Free. Registry: Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT named spdfrmon.Gate.1, plus associated values. Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT named spdfrmon.Gate, plus associated values. Key 0142D788-C4FC-4ED8-2222-D654E27AF7F8 at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key A1011E88-B997-11CF-2222-0080C7B2D6BB at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypeLib. Key A1843388-EFC2-49C9-2222-FC0C403B0EBB at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key A19F8F88-F91E-4E49-2222-BD21AB39D1BB at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAppID. Key A19F8F88-F91E-4E49-2222-BD21AB39D1BB at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID. Key A1D87888-DEAA-4971-2222-5D5046F2B3BB at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface. Key A245B088-41FA-478E-8DEA-86177F1394BB at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAppID. Key spdfrmon.exe at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAppID. Key spdfrmon at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet001Services. Key spdfrmon at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet002Services. Key spdfrmon at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet003Services. Key SpeeditupFree at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstall.
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Enable or disable Full-screen optimizations
In case you don’t know, there is a feature in Windows 10 computers that allows them to function a lot better. This feature is called Full-Screen optimization and it is enabled by default for several applications such as games and video players. If enabled, the Full-Screen optimization feature enhances the video playback and gaming by simply putting the CPU and GPU process as a priority. However, there are times when it can also result to a drop in the frame rate or FPS while in full-screen mode. And of course, the obvious solution to this dilemma is by disabling the Full-Screen optimization feature which is why Microsoft took action and removed this feature themselves in the recent Windows 10 Update releases. However, there is another way for you to enable it back or disable it yourself if you haven’t installed the recent updates yet and there are plenty of ways you can do both. All you have to do is follow the options given below carefully.

Option 1 – Try using Windows 10 Settings

If you haven’t installed the recent updates yet and all you have are the earlier releases, then this method would suit you.
  • Open the Windows 10 Settings app.
  • Next, navigate to System > Display > Graphics Settings or Advanced graphics settings.
  • From there, uncheck the “Enable Fullscreen optimization” option if you want to disable the feature, else just keep it checked.

Option 2 – Try using the Registry Editor

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • Afterward, if a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears, click on Yes.
  • Once the Registry Editor is pulled up, navigate to this registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSystemGameConfigStore
  • Next, right-click on Explorer and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and then name it to “GameDVR_DSEBehavior and tap Enter to save it.
  • Now double click on the newly created GameDVR_DSEBehavior DWORD and set its value to “2” if you want to disable it, or “0” if you want to enable it.
  • Once you entered the value, close the Registry Editor and restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made.

Option 3 – Try running the application in Compatibility Mode

If the first two options didn’t work, the next thing you can do is to run the application in a Compatibility Mode. Follow the steps below to do so:
  • Go to the location of the application or game on which you need to disable or enable the Full-Screen optimization feature.
  • After that, right-click on it and select Properties.
  • Next, switch to the Compatibility tab where you can see the “Disable fullscreen optimization” option to disable the feature and vice versa.
  • Now click on the Apply and OK buttons to apply the changes made in the application’s settings.
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How to Disable Restart in Firefox
Mozilla Firefox has introduced a new feature known as Restart with Windows which allows the browser to automatically start when your Windows 10 computer boots. This means that if you leave the Firefox browser opened while shutting down your computer, Firefox will re-open automatically along with the tabs that were opened right before you shut down your computer. Although some users may find this feature convenient, there are others who do not approve at all as it could be a nuisance. So if you’re one of the latter, then read on as this post will show you how you can disable the Restart with Windows feature in the Firefox browser on your Windows 10 computer. Refer to the instructions laid out below to get started.
  • Step 1: Open Mozilla Firefox and if it’s opened already, just open a new tab and then type the following text in the address bar:
about:config
  • Step 2: After typing the text given above, hit Enter and if a prompt with a warning message pops up, simply click on the “I accept the risk!” button to proceed.
  • Step 3: Next, type “Restart” in the search filter which should display the following preference in the window:
“toolkit.winRegisterApplicationRestart”
  • Step 4: After that, check for the preference value and then see if it’s set to true or not. If it is set to true, then it means that the Restart with Windows feature is enabled so obviously, to disable it, you need to set its value to false.
  • Step 5: Now restart your computer without closing Firefox. After restarting your computer, you should no longer see Firefox starting automatically.
The Restart with Windows feature by default is disabled for most users. On the other hand, Mozilla will have this feature enabled as the default configuration in the coming weeks so it’s best that you now know what to do when that time comes since the newer versions of Mozilla Firefox are already being shipped with the Restart with Windows feature. However, if this post did not help you, then you might want to check if the feature has been added to the Startup folder, and from there, you can disable this startup program using the Task Manager > Startup tab.
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Changing the Left & Right mouse buttons
As you know, all computer mouse devices are designed ergonomically for users who are right-handed. Although that’s mostly the case, there are also other mouse devices that are designed specifically for left-handed users or the ones that can be used by either the right or left hand. But before you look for these kinds of mouse devices, there is actually an option you can try so that your mouse device can work with either the left or right hand. All you have to do is configure your mouse device. Aside from setting the device to work on either hand, you can also switch mouse buttons, from left to right, using only a couple of simple steps. As mentioned earlier, most mouse devices are created for right-handed users. Meaning to say, these mouse devices are configured to be right-handed with their primary button on the left and the second one on the right. The primary button is used for certain functions such as selecting and dragging. Now you can configure your mouse to be left-handed by swapping its predefined functionality. How? Refer to each one of the given instructions below.

Option 1 – via Control Panel

  • First, go to the Start Menu and search for “control panel” in the Start search.
  • Once you see it from the search results, click on it to open it and then go to the Hardware and Sound section.
  • From there, click on Mouse under the Device and Printers section. This will open the window for Mouse Properties.
  • Now you have to check the Switch primary and secondary buttons box.
  • Then click on OK to save the changes made. After that, your primary select button on your mouse device is your right button while the secondary button, also known as right-click, is now the left button.

Option 2 – via Windows 10 Settings

This is the second option you can check out to change the configuration of your mouse from being right-handed to being left-handed.
  • First, right-click on the Windows icon and select Search.
  • Next, type “mouse” and from the search results that appear, click on Mouse Settings.
  • After that, select “Right” from the “Select your primary button” drop-down menu. This should set the mouse device from being right-handed to being left-handed.
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