Google and Cybercrime Support Network (CSN) have come together to launch a website called Scam Spotter. This week on security, we give you a description of what the tool is and how it works.
The surge in people’s interests for COVID-19-related news saw scammers tailoring their strategies to exploit this development. More and more internet users started getting news and articles about the pandemic that were aimed at undermining their cybersecurity. Google’s mailing service, Gmail had mentioned blocking millions of such scam emails. The rise in scams is so troubling that there are tech companies whose main business is protecting customers from scams.
In a blog post titled; Spot the scam, stop the scammers, Google described how the tool works. It said that it provided every tool needed for CSN to build the Scam Spotter.
The basic principles that the tool trumpets are outlined as follows:
— Slow it down
— Spot check
— Stop! Don’t send
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These three rules mean that as an internet user, don’t fall for the first trick scammers use, which is; telling you that the action you need to take is urgent. The second principle advises that you should check out the claims that the message is making. When doing this, go through trusted platforms. While the last advice is that you should avoid making any payment if you don’t trust the platform that a message directs you to.
If you visit Scam Spotter’s page, you see examples of tactics that scammers use. It mentions that they may just pop up bad news out of the blue or give you a piece of news that seems too good to be true.
In addition to revealing possible scams, there is a quiz section that offers five-question scenarios and requires you to identify which of them is likely to be a scam.
With this tool, you and your loved ones would be more knowledgeable next time you come across a scam. The search engine company also advises that you share the website with friends and family members as well. Spreading awareness about scams would go a long way in reducing the possibility of anyone falling for them.
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