Be alert to online danger
With the first four S-U-P-E-R tips you’ve made sure that your devices and online access data are as secure as they can be. How you act in cyberspace is just as important, however. That’s why you should reduce the risk of fraud by staying alert and always using common sense.
Key points to remember:
When on the internet, always remain wary and consider carefully where and to whom you provide any personal information.
Financial institutions and telecommunications and other service providers will never ask you for a password (either by email or on the phone) and will never ask you to change your password this way either.
When using mobile devices (smartphones, tablets), take the same precautions as you do with your PC at home.
Always get support if you are unsure, or suspect there has been an attack.
Criminals don't want you suspicious
“The offer looked legit – a reasonable price, a seller who spoke good German, and a UBS account. I shouldn’t have been so trusting.”
It’s getting harder and harder to recognise the scammers’ tricks. That’s why internet users should approach everything with healthy suspicion.
Take care to prevent fraud
Protecting against phishing and social engineering
With phishing, fraudsters will try to win your trust by, for instance, impersonating your bank in emails or on the phone, to try to lure you to a website with a link which looks almost identical to the ones your bank uses. If you fall for the scam, and give them your access data, the fraudsters can then clear out your bank account.
There might also be fraudulent support calls, where someone pretending to work for Microsoft or an IT support company contacts you to try to gain access to your device.
Mobile devices more risky
Many apps grant themselves extensive access rights with no apparent justification. For example, it is not necessary for any old app to access data such as location, address book or telephone status. You should therefore take a critical look at whether an app actually needs these access rights to function. If possible, deactivate any rights that it does not strictly require.
Further information and contact points
Contact Points
Swiss Crime Prevention and the cantonal and municipal police forces (www.skppsc.ch)
«eBanking – but secure!» (EBAS) (www.ebas.ch)
National Cybersecurity Centre NCSC (www.ncsc.admin.ch)
iBarry – the internet security platform (www.ibarry.ch)
Cybercrimepolice (www.cybercrimepolice.ch)
