As the holiday season approaches, the Cyber Security Experts Association of Ghana (CSEAG) is warning of an expected increase in cyber attacks. With the retail and logistics industries expecting a significant increase in activity and revenue, cyber criminals may see this as an opportunity to target unsuspecting individuals and businesses. The Association is cautioning the public about potential attacks such as spoofing of websites, where real ecommerce sites and other websites are cloned in order to steal money and data from users. Fake business pages and channels on social media offering unrealistic discounts on goods and services may also appear. Mobile money fraud, through the use of social engineering techniques to manipulate users, is another potential threat.
To protect against these types of attacks, the Association advises the public to stay vigilant and think before clicking or acting on unfamiliar or suspicious links or requests. Activating two-factor authentication on social media platforms can also help to secure accounts. If something seems suspicious, it is recommended to discontinue the activity immediately or discuss it with a trusted friend or relative before proceeding. When shopping online, it is important to not rely solely on customer feedback and to be aware that some feedback may be fake. It is also advisable to remember that if a deal seems too good to be true, it may be a scam.
The President of the Association reminds the public to “treat cyber security as a prerequisite and not an afterthought.” The Association urges all to make cyber security a priority and wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.