A Monash expert is available to comment on how to identify and safeguard against scams during Black Friday sales.
Professor Monica Whitty, Department of Software Systems & Cybersecurity, Faculty of Information Technology
Contact details: +61 450 501 248 or [email protected]
- Human factors of cybersecurity
- Online security risks
- Detecting and preventing cyber scams
The following can be attributed to Professor Whitty:
“My research shows that victims of online consumer scams tend to score high on impulsivity measures.
“To safeguard against scams, take your time and never feel rushed into a purchase just because you see a sale. Criminals rely on shoppers making quick, impulsive decisions without checking the details.
“Avoid making purchases over public Wi-Fi, which is not secure and can expose your personal and financial details.
“If you receive an email promoting a sale, avoid clicking any links as it may be a phishing attempt. Instead, search for the business independently and check the website directly. Make sure there is a padlock icon in the URL bar – without it, the site is not secure.
“Compare the product across other trusted retailers to verify whether the sale is genuine, and always make purchases using secure payment methods such as a credit card or PayPal.
“Only shop through trusted sites and retailers. Even if a site looks legitimate, you could still be handing money to a scammer and never receive the goods.
“Remember – do your research, take your time and stay cautious. No sale is worth the risk of being scammed.”
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