Technology journalist and Editor of Pickr Leigh Stark recently launched , a site dedicated to exploring and teaching consumers how scams work
Scams remain a billion dollar business because people keep falling for it. Malicious internet users are increasingly exploiting social networks, SMS’s, registration, subscription, and feedback forms on websites to insert spam content or phishing links.
Editor of Pickr, Leigh Stark believes education will decrease the number of scams. His newly founded website called How Scams Work has four built-in scam simulators, including an email, SMS, and two phishing scam simulators. These simulators are designed to help people understand in detail what to do when they encounter a scam. Each simulator uses identical teachings and methods security writers speak and talk about regularly but with a more direct and interactive way. He says “There’s a lot of information online about scams, but nothing lets you experience a scam without consequences. These simulators were built to teach by example, to see how scams work without any repercussions.”
Leading cybersecurity firm, Kaspersky is working with How Scams Work to help promote this newly created site. General Manager of Kaspersky, Margrith Appleby explains how easy it is for someone to believe what they see on a phishing link: “It is still easy to believe what is seen in a phishing link. In a recent analysis from Kaspersky , Australia had the second largest share of users attacked by phishers with 17.20% after Brazil. Attackers will continue to use social networks to achieve their goals which calls for more vigilant choices to be made by consumers when it concerns their safety online.”
Stark’s objective in founding this site is to help and provide a resource for people looking to find out about personal security. In the coming weeks, How Scams Work will include podcasts, tips, tricks, and hopefully safer security simulators in time. He adds, “We’re looking to build a database of scams to help anyone and everyone know what scammers are doing to trick us all. With your help, we can help stop scammers taking us all on a ride.”
Have you been sent something you think is a scam?
Send us a screenshot and if it’s a scam, we’ll let you know how to beat it:
Source: Kaspersky
