Tips Guard Against Phishing, Malware Attacks During Tax Season

AppRiver LLC, a provider of email messaging and Web security solutions, today released its latest Threat and Spamscape report as well as a new video offering taxpayers advice on how to safeguard against cyber scams while filing taxes online.

AppRiver’s Threat and Spamscape report traces and analyzes the spam and malware trends prevalent on the Internet. According to Fred Touchette, report author and senior security analyst at AppRiver, 84 percent of all email traffic surveyed in the month of March was spam.

“With billions of dollars changing hands online, tax season is primetime for Internet scams,” said Touchette. “The best defense for taxpayers is multilayered security that includes anti-virus software, email and Web filtering, and a strong firewall. Those tools, along with some good common sense, are the keys to keeping your money safe.”

A key highlight from the report describes how scammers exploit tax season by targeting tax preparers. Throughout the past several weeks, for example, cyber criminals have utilized the “Blackhole” toolkit to send virus-laden emails purportedly from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) as well as Intuit, a company known for their accounting software. With convincing graphics and formatting, messages warned recipients of accounting professionals who were engaging in fraudulent filing practices, details of which were viewable in an attached PDF file. In reality, the attachment was a link to a website hosting malware.

To avoid becoming a victim of a tax scam, Touchette shares these best practice tips:

  • Online fraudsters (a.k.a. “phishers”) will attempt to contact taxpayers via email, whereas the IRS will never initiate contact with a taxpayer through email.
  • The IRS will never ask for PIN numbers or credit card information via email.
  • Never click on a link, or an attachment, from an unsolicited email.
  • Never conduct unsecured transactions that include any account or password information over public hotspots, such as airports, hotels, libraries, restaurants, cafes, or other locations that offer free Wi-Fi services.
  • Always completely log out of sensitive sites. It is possible for an attacker to hijack a browsing session that has been left open.
  • Avoid using the same computer your children use. A good portion of online scams target today's youth, which often infects machines.
  • Remain vigilant and try to use simple logic -- if it seems too good to be true, and is sitting in your inbox, delete it.
  • Before entering sensitive information into a website, look for the security padlock symbol.
  • Create strong passwords by choosing passwords that are complex and utilize a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols.

 

Featured

  • Making the Grade with Locks and Door Hardware

    Managing and maintaining locks and door hardware across a school district or university campus is a big responsibility. A building’s security needs to change over time as occupancy and use demands evolve, which can make it even more challenging. Knowing the basics of common door hardware, including locks, panic devices and door closers, can make a difference in daily operations and emergency situations. Read Now

  • Choosing the Right Solution

    Today, there is a strong shift from on-prem installations to cloud or hybrid-cloud deployments. As reported in the 2024 Genetec State of Physical Security report, 66% of end users said they will move to managing or storing more physical security in the cloud over the next two years. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Security Risks for U.S. Retail Chains

    Interface Systems, a provider of security, actionable insights, and purpose-built networks for multi-location businesses, has released its 2024 State of Remote Video Monitoring in Retail Chains report. The detailed study analyzed over 2 million monitoring requests across 4,156 retail locations in the United States from September 2023 to August 2024. Read Now

  • Gaining a Competitive Edge

    Ask most companies about their future technology plans and the answers will most likely include AI. Then ask how they plan to deploy it, and that is where the responses may start to vary. Every company has unique surveillance requirements that are based on market focus, scale, scope, risk tolerance, geographic area and, of course, budget. Those factors all play a role in deciding how to configure a surveillance system, and how to effectively implement technologies like AI. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions. 3

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis. 3

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.” 3