Have you ever wondered how scammers get your information? There are actually lots of ways, like organizational breaches, re-used passwords, and social media oversharing. Something many people may not think about is public Wi-Fi.
Public Wi-Fi is popular due to its many uses and benefits, which is one reason why fraudsters find ways to exploit it. Cybercriminals use public Wi-Fi for scams and cyberattacks because it is often less secure than private home networks. Scammers utilize these public networks to intercept data, inject malware, or steal sensitive information through various methods. One of their tactics is to install a program on your device that allows them to monitor and steal your sensitive information.
Even after disconnecting from public Wi-Fi, if a malicious program was installed on your device, it remains and can access your data and sensitive information you access long after you’ve left your favorite coffee shop. The data collected can be used to target you and those you know through phishing and payment scams or to access your accounts.
So, how do we stay vigilant?
Signs of possible compromise:
- Device slowing down, freezing or crashing
- Browser home page changes or automatically redirects you to sites you didn’t intend to visit
- New browser toolbars or add-on programs
- Lots of pop-up ads, including some inappropriate ads or ads on sites you wouldn’t expect, like on government websites
- Repeated error messages from your operating system
- Operating system tools, like Task Manager or Activity Monitor, are disabled
- Noticing emails you didn’t write or social media messages you didn’t post
I’ve been compromised, now what?
- Immediately stop logging into online accounts, such as retail or banking, with your usernames, passwords, or other sensitive information.
- Update your security software to ensure the latest protections. If you don’t have security software, consider it. Recommendations can be found on independent review sites or by asking friends and family.
- Run a security scan to remove the malware.
- Change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
- If you need help removing malware, you might:
- Contact the manufacturer of your device and find out if it’s covered by a warranty
- Get tech support from a company you know and trust
- Get help from a knowledgeable friend or family member
We must continually educate ourselves and stay up to date with the latest fraud trends and how to evade them. If you or someone you know is an Arvest customer and is believed to have fallen victim to a scam affecting their Arvest accounts, send a notification to ReportFraud@arvest.com and report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.