Don’t Get Scammed by Fake Walmart Survey Prize Offers
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
A new wave of Walmart survey scams is capitalizing on shopper affinity for the mega-retailer brand by using fraudulent social media ads, emails, and websites pretending to offer free gifts like iPhones for completing short qualification questionnaires. However, it’s all an elaborate ruse stealing personal information and billing victims repeatedly for monthly services they never approved once credit card details get collected.
This comprehensive guide breaks down precisely how these Walmart survey cons work and what precautions savvy consumers must take in order to avoid getting swindled by seemingly rewards offerings online.
This article contains:
Overview of Fake Walmart Survey Scams
Walmart’s retail dominance means their loyal customers represent prime targets for elaborate survey reward scams phishing for data and billing accomplices. Fraudsters are spreading fake ads and websites impersonating the familiar brand to coerce engagement with promising gifts like $500 gift cards, iPads, or 4K TVs for answering a few short questions.
However, completing these faux questionnaires only enrolls victims in recurring monthly subscription plans secretly charging upwards of $100 repeatedly to credit cards provided initially under the auspices of minor shipping fees. Canceling these mystery auto-payments is made extraordinarily difficult to facilitate siphoning as much money as possible before card holders detect sham activity and shut down payment authorization entirely through replacement numbers.
This guide will break down precisely how such Walmart survey scams spread and ultimately profit from consumers believing the false advertisements used to drive engagement through social media, search engines and email spam campaigns. Recognizing these fraudulent tactics is the only way savvy shoppers can protect identities and bank accounts from weaponization against them through weaponized psychology and emotional manipulation.
How Fake Walmart Survey Scams Spread
Scammers rely on a variety of digital mediums to widely distribute links driving traffic to convincing mock Walmart domains baiting engagement through the promise of survey compensation gifts. Each channel leverages different vulnerabilities to maximize public spread to potential victims.
Phishing Emails
One popular tactic sends spam template emails to masses featuring subjects like “Complete a Walmart Survey to Redeem Your $500 Gift Card!” These messages pretend association with real Walmart customer satisfaction programs to trick recipients.
Embedded links route visitors to realistic forgeries gathering personal information rather than providing genuine surveys. Flooded inboxes enable this fraud to reach countless unfamiliar victims at scale.
Social Media Ads & Posts
More recently, Walmart survey scam ads frequent platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok using video and images promoting free rewards worth hundreds for short question completions. These nudge visitors to external landing pages initiating cons through data harvesting and undisclosed recurring credit charges.
On TikTok for example, audio overlaying B-roll video of Walmart stores insists followers can easily claim gift cards by clicking the link in their bio after finishing a few eligible questions.
Malvertising Campaigns
Online advertisements remain potent attack vectors infecting even trusted websites undetected. While browsing familiar news or shopping pages, users may see sidebar ads encouraging Walmart survey participation tied to prizes.
Clicking these industry ads redirects through various unseen domains before landing on sophisticated phishing pages mimicking Walmart templates precisely to continue engagement flow cons.
Inside Fake Walmart Survey Scam Funnels
While scam details vary slightly, most fraudulent Walmart survey cons follow a very strategic progression moving visitors through a pipeline maximizing information and payment capture before allowing exit.
Stage 1: Landing Pages
The deceitful portal visitors land on after clicking email links or ads mirrors Walmart’s true visual design in great detail. Logos, fonts, colors and more precisely copy the real website to reassure victims of its authenticity. False claims insist surveys help Walmart improve while compensating loyal customers.
Those enticed into the premise proceed towards questionnaires ready to share opinions with the beloved brand.
Stage 2: Data Collection Surveys
The online survey pretends wanting consumer perspectives around Walmart shopping experiences, reviewing attitudes on things like product selection, brand affinity, and satisfaction ratings in various departments.
Questions feign helping guide corporate decisions around inventory and loyalty programs rather than clearly phishing for shareable personal data inadvertently. Victims perceive harmlessness answering basic multiple choice questions.
Stage 3: Prize Redemption
After completing all survey questions, another congratulatory message appears praising users for qualifying to receive a “guaranteed” Walmart gift card worth $500. Psychologically this reinforces feelings of value exchange for time spent while priming compliance accepting next steps securing “owed” rewards.
A wheel spins or box selection mimics contest dynamics before confirming amazing prize guarantees. Victims merely need provide a valid shipping address and credit card to claim gifts!
Stage 4: Hidden Recurring Billing Subscription
Although visitors expect authorization charges solely for gift delivery, supplying payment information also approves expensive mystery subscription sign-ups exceeding $100 monthly that secretly bill victims repeatedly afterwards. Just like survey promises, these digital services never requested nor utilized still require intricate cancellations.
Few consumers notice until the first large invoice arrives for things like a “Mega PDF Converter” or “Unlimited Movie Streaming Club”. Meanwhile scammers profit on stolen financial data and can obscure tracing.
What Happens Once Credit Card Details Are Compromised
After victims enter credit card information, most assume submission simply approves reasonable fees deducting the promised Walmart gift card shipment. However, relinquishing payment details to scammers instead facilitates much broader financial offenses.
Initial Small Charge
A legitimate seeming $1 – $10 charge labeled as a “shipping processing” fee or similar initially appears on billing statements from an unfamiliar merchant. Without additional obvious activity arising during the days following, users erroneously assume validity of transactions.
Ongoing Mystery Subscription Fees
However within approximately 2-3 weeks of initial orders, victims encounter exponentially larger mystery charges from the same shady merchant. Recurring fees ranging from $39 – $99 monthly for digital subscription services never selected or consciously activated now bill user accounts repeatedly.
Typical fraudulent charges include:
Mega PDF Converter – $49 monthly
Unlimited eBook Library – $59 monthly
Premium Movie Channel Package – $99 monthly
And services only fabrication imaginary value through deception. Nevertheless, victims pay heavily prior to recognizing the financial offenses perpetrated against them initially through survey engagement flows.
Difficult Cancellations
By design, scam merchants make stopping unexpected subscription fees exceedingly complex for users. Fake phone numbers listed on websites actually route to disconnected lines or overseas call centers claiming no record of any customer account access. Emails receive only automated templated responses devoid of resolutions.
These barriers buy criminals more billing cycles extracting income through these fraudulent tactics from victim credit cards or bank accounts. Eventually account holders face no choice but complete closures when other cancellation efforts fail.
Warning Signs: How to Spot Fake Walmart Survey Scams
Although highly polished frauds, several common patterns can help consumers identify and evade engagement with fake Walmart survey ads upon closer inspection:
No Previous Subscription Consent
Legitimate ongoing promotions marketed via ads or emails require prior opt-in registration through card applications or newsletter sign ups to participate in rewards programs. Outbound offers claiming existing membership eligibility absent any past consent from recipients signals likely scams.
Redirects Funnel Towards Sketchy Domains
Authentic Walmart portal URLs always reflect some “walmart.com” variant. Survey links routing visitors instead through multiple redirects ultimately landing on mismatched third party domains should instantly seem suspicious without more context.
Aggressive Sales Pressure
Scarcity claims of limited time windows to participate or receive prizes triggers emotional responses overriding logical objections. By misrepresenting artificial pressures, scammers coerce hasty survey participation essential for schemes succeeding.
Mandatory Credit Card Charges
Free rewards would never require upfront costs from those targeted especially after providing extensive personal data inputs already through questions. Demands for bank information to claim promised Walmart prizes implies ulterior financial motives beyond surveys themselves.
4 Ways to Spot Fake Walmart Survey Sites
While sophisticated counterfeits mimic Walmart’s interfaces, a few subtle but consistent discrepancies can help protect savvy shoppers from survey scams:
1. Analyze Website URLs Carefully
Authentic Walmart domains always reflect “walmart.com” variations. Third party links should raise instant suspicion. Inspect destinations by hovering over links without clicking. Odd URLs like “walmart-survey.offers123.com” expose scam fakes.
2. Look for Glitched Design Elements
Smooth Walmart branding gets replaced by awkward spacing, formatting, colors and font issues on counterfeit sites. Images show distortion attempts copying legitimate graphics. Sloppy execution slips past scammer efforts to mimic authenticity.
3. Search for Working Contact Information
Walmart publishes extensive customer support resources easily verifiable elsewhere online. Scams lack working phone numbers, addresses or chat options – just façade templates aiming exclusively to collect visitor data quickly. Dead links, numbers and emails indicate shallow support.
4. Note Broken Site Flows
Counterfeit sites often display errors reaching checkout stages. After capturing personal inputs at the survey level, final processes glitch since scammers don’t invest in fully dynamic portals – just convincing templates harvesting enough details initially already. Test functionality beyond opening pages.
Deception hides in key details overlooked when emotional responses override logic. Train awareness highlighting site defects proving scams mathematically inconsistent or functionally flawed relative to the real corporations they impersonate. Customers can then enjoy mobile commerce safely knowing vital perspective guards against common retail traps and tricks resulting in fraud.
How to Spot Walmart Survey Scams on Social Media
Scammers aggressively promote fake Walmart survey cons on popular platforms using slick videos, images and ads to mislead consumers. Learn the subtle signs of fraud on each around gift card promises:
1. Identifying Facebook Survey Scams
Clickbait Link Previews – Scam posts feature mismatched link previews not reflecting real Walmart portal destinations. Hoover to inspect URLs instead of headline hyperbole.
Suspicious Sponsored Ads – Imposter ads intermix with legitimate ones thanks to minimal vetting checks Facebook performs internally around claims or destinations. Take greater caution clicking promoted posts.
Comment Floods – Numerous identical positive comments on scam gift card posts often come from a small ring of connected fake accounts rather than real users. Review underlying interaction source legitimacy.
2. Spotting Instagram Walmart Survey Cons
Artificially Boosted Metrics – Fraudsters purchase fake followers/likes to establish perceived authority around gift card offer posts. But small actual audience engagement reveals deceit relative to inflated numbers.
Identity & Photo Thefts – Scammer accounts steal or borrow credible identities through photo thefts to manufactured reputability around survey claims. Cross-checking image sources reveals inconsistencies.
No Negative Feedback Visibility – Instagram comment filtering allows hiding scam criticisms easily from public timelines. Monitoring latest tagged feedback forces transparency showing criticism exists needing investigation.
3. Avoiding TikTok Survey Scams
Repetitive Narration – Numerous scam TikToks feature identical voiceovers endorsing gift cards for surveys fueling video template repurposing at scale. Notice mimicry across suspected scam accounts.
Link Restriction Deflections – Because TikTok prohibits direct outbound links for certain users, scammers redirect followers to Instagram links instead appearing more reputable while still enabling data theft pipelines.
No Context Alignment – Like other platforms, gift card survey promises originate suddenly from accounts never discussing shopping or Walmart previously which deviates from most authentic user content patterns. Ask why now?
4 Ways to Spot Fake Walmart Survey Emails
While scam messages pretend affiliation, key details expose faux communications aiming to bait response clicks rather than convey legitimate offers. Notice:
1. Generic Greetings Lacking Personalization
Authentic corporations reference customer names, loyalty numbers and recent purchase details when extending “exclusive” survey offers. Impersonal greetings like “Dear shopper” signal indiscriminate distribution rather than targeted outreach.
2. Mismatched Sender Addresses
Inspect email headers closely rather than just sender names displayed. Fraudsters often spoof official branding in the “from” field while actual underlying message origins show odd third party domains having nothing to do with companies portrayed.
3. Suspicious Links With Unrelated URLs
Hover over embedded hyperlinks to preview destinations before clicking. Walmart links should always reflect some variation of their corporate domain. Unexpected redirects to unrelated portals indicate phishing attempts.
4. Poor Grammar, Spelling and Formatting
Professional brands proofread outbound communications carefully unlike scammers hastily copying corporate templates. Notice issues like uneven fonts, spacing inconsistencies and repeated misspellings exposing international origins.
If core components fail authentication checks, communications should default to skepticism regardless of appearing affiliation. Context matters catching technical deception where emotional appeals yelling “free gift cards” attempt bypassing logic deliberately.
How to Avoid Fake Walmart Survey Scams
Clever psychological manipulation makes avoiding online cons challenging, but consumers can protect themselves by:
Avoid Taking Bait Offers At Face Value
The most reliable defense begins with conceding human decision making carries inherent blind spots. Countering external exploit tactics mandates fact checking emotive stories and reviewing tangible evidence behind claims before supplying data.
Analyze Redirect Chains Closely
Monitor browser domain changes after clicking links, being wary of unfamiliar destinations. Requested actions on mismatched sites lacking affiliation with advertised brands nearly always enable scams through some means.
Never Provide Payment Details To Unvalidated Parties
Supplying credit card or banking data comprises the most consistent precursor enabling recurring billing frauds. Withholding those crown jewels absent extensive prior account verification checks through separate channels causes downstream damages.
Use Credit Cards For Added Fraud Protection
Should identity theft or billing fraud still occur unexpectedly, credit cards provide greater legal protections regarding disputes compared to directly accessed bank accounts or debit cards. Adding intermediary barriers limiting fraudster access to personal funds protects assets.
What To Do If You Are Already Scammed
If you provided any sensitive information or payment details to a fake Walmart survey website, remain proactive responding to minimize damages by immediately:
Contact Banks and Credit Card Companies Call every financial provider tied to compromised cards or accounts and flag all related transactions as fraudulent with their security teams. Request fresh card and account numbers to halt further billing access.
Initiate Disputes and Chargebacks Open disputes and chargebacks against all connected third party merchant charges referencing scam details. Providers can block vendors through these filings if deemed in violation of card agreements.
Review Credit Reports Check credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion for any indicators fraudsters have attempted opening additional lines of credit or loans under your identity using stolen info. Freeze reports if detected.
Reset Associated Passwords If you reused the same passwords entered on fake Walmart questionnaires anywhere else online, change these credentials immediately to restrict lateral access reaching other key shopping, email or social accounts that may expose more personal data.
Scan Devices for Malware Run complete malware and antivirus scans in case redirects or site downloads initiated background installation of data harvesting tools tracking online behaviors, passwords and network traffic. Delete any threats confirmed.
Though disruptive initially, documenting fraudulent cases quickly can significantly help victims limit financial damages and prevent cascading issues like identity theft down the road.
Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware
If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
Online scams featuring Walmart branding bait engagement through gift card promises and surveys which actually enable recurring hidden subscription fees exceeding $100 monthly from compromised shoppers. This FAQ distills need-to-know details on identification and prevention:
What are fake Walmart survey scams?
Fraudulent surveys spread through ads or emails pretend affiliation with Walmart to phish personal information and credit card details enabling recurring billing subscription cons extracting money from victims.
How do survey scams initially reach consumers?
Scammers rely on spam messages, social media ads, and spam links Leveraging Walmart’s brand recognition to portray legitimacy around reward offers for participating in product feedback questionnaires.
What happens after starting online survey questions?
After answering personal questions, visitors directed towards prize redemption see wheels spinning or gift boxes to select containing promised Walmart rewards. Victims asked for shipping information to receive gifts without realizing billing rights transfers enable future recurring fees.
What mystery subscription costs may unexpectedly start?
While initial $1 charges may temporarily show for order processing, larger mystery costs between $39 – $99 monthly begin billing victims repeatedly thereafter for services never approved including:
Premium PDF Converter Membership
Unlimited eBook Library Access
VIP Movie Streaming Package
Why is stopping unauthorized charges so difficult?
Fraudster-operated merchant accounts deliberately frustrate cancellation attempts through disconnected customer service lines and automated email responses. This allows siphoning prolonged illicit incomes from unknowing consumers chained to unwanted plan payments.
How can consumers avoid survey scams?
Stay skeptical of hyperbolic offers, scientifically vet stranger communications prioritizing money transfers, scrutinize email and ad links for mismatches, never supply payment data making recipients profit incentives obvious first.
The Bottom Line
The promise of easy income through online shopping rewards perpetuates because exploitative tricks often leverage emotional manipulation bypassing logic first. Smooth presentations and familiar branding readily coerce engagement from consumers receptive towards brands they know and trust already. In that context, Walmart’s industry dominance makes them prime targets for elaborate survey scams baiting loyal shoppers to relinquish valuable personal data, financial account access and exposed device integrity through downloaded malware.
By understanding the psychological triggers against them combined with technical funnel design, consumers gain better recognition of subtle deception signs common across survey frauds. Shopping safely online requires proactive precautions like closely inspecting redirect chains before clicks, validating real account needs for data requests, confirming why sudden bounties require any privileged information access at all. Once users see logical gaps underpinning fraudulent offers, emotional impulses cool enabling threats to be assessed more objectively sans manipulation. Tempered prudence online checks rates of growing retail cons targeting every consumer through scaled data profiles.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
Meet Thomas Orsolya
Thomas is an expert at uncovering scams and providing in-depth reporting on cyber threats and online fraud. As an editor, he is dedicated to keeping readers informed on the latest developments in cybersecurity and tech.
