How to spot this weekend's Easter traps

As families prepare for the Easter weekend, the familiar sights of candy hunts and family gatherings abound.

However, amid the excitement, a lurking danger threatens to overshadow the festivities: cyber scams.

With distractions at a peak and technology use heightened, cybersecurity experts warn that cybercriminals ramp up their efforts during this time.

KnowBe4, a leading cybersecurity firm, highlights five key areas for families to monitor this Easter to protect their data and ensure a worry-free break.

1. “Golden Egg” phishing scams

The allure of giveaways and significant discounts inundates social media as Easter approaches, with promotions aimed at capturing consumers' attention. Scammers take advantage of this increased online presence.

• The Trap: Clicking on enticing links can divert users to phishing sites designed to harvest credit card information or personal details.
• The Defence: Exercise caution; if a deal appears too good to be true, it probably is. Navigate directly to the official brand's website rather than clicking links found in social media ads or messages.

2. Kids on screens

The extended school holidays often mean children will occupy more screen time in gaming environments like Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft. Unfortunately, this makes them prime targets for guileful scammers.

• The Trap: Young users may encounter fake websites or YouTube videos offering “Free Robux Generators” or “Fortnite Skin Changers”, which can contain harmful malware.
• The Defence: Activate “Ask to Buy” features and ensure children understand the importance of not sharing passwords, even with ‘friends’ they meet in gaming.

3. The travel dangers

For families travelling during the Easter break, the draw of new destinations often accompanies relaxed security measures, unfortunately providing fertile ground for hackers.

• The Trap: Public Wi-Fi at airports is notoriously insecure, making it easy for cybercriminals to breach data. Additionally, be wary of “Juice Jacking”, where USB charging stations can be manipulated to install malware.
• The Defence: When connecting to public Wi-Fi, employ a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for sensitive transactions like banking. Instead of using public USB ports, rely on standard wall outlets or personal power banks for device charging.

4. Home office risks

Amid the holiday cheer, the blurred lines of working from home and personal life can lead to unintentional security vulnerabilities.

• The Trap: Allowing children access to work laptops “just for a minute” can lead to accidental data loss or exposure to malware by clicking links in emails.
• The Defence: Keep work and personal technology separate. Secure work devices with strong biometric locks or PINs, ensuring they remain strictly professional and not a source of entertainment for kids.

5. The delivery text surge

As online shopping and gift deliveries spike during Easter, so too do phishing attempts via SMS, better known as smishing.

• The Trap: You might receive a text claiming a delivery issue or a small re-delivery fee, making you more likely to click on the link provided.
• The Defence: Always type tracking information directly into the courier’s official website rather than clicking links from unsolicited texts.

Ultimately, enjoying the holiday hinges on a security-conscious approach to technology.

Whether travelling abroad, entertaining the kids at home, or checking work emails, taking just five minutes to verify links or secure devices can make all the difference.

By staying vigilant and implementing these straightforward measures, families can ensure that the only surprises this Easter are the delightful finds hidden in the garden.

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