So I’ve recently written about scam emails and what to watch out for. They just keep rolling in, though, so I figure I might use them to illustrate some of the things scammers do that are easy to spot. And it’s important that you CAN spot them.

The first thing you have to understand is that the people who put these things together are lazy. They do the bare minimum to get these emails out. They only need a handful of people to fall for it, so they don’t put much effort into creating believable, authentic-looking emails. Enough people fall for these that they don’t have to resort to those pesky time-consuming details like formatting and editing…. Read More

It happens every year. The minute the smell of turkey starts escaping ovens, retailers start announcing their deals, discounts, and door-busters. Cards, catalogs, and coupons fill up our physical mailboxes. And electronic advertisements pummel us from our inboxes, social media feeds, and every site we visit. Deals are flying around everywhere. Gifts are exchanged among friends, family, and coworkers. People are buying lots of crap, both online and in brick-and-mortar stores.

The month leading up to Christmas is a veritable feeding frenzy for retailers and shoppers alike.

It’s also a first-class, grade-A, prime-time opportunity for hackers, criminals, and other unsavory specimens to pick your pocket, hack your accounts, and otherwise ruin your holiday.

… Read More