Beware online scams, says Cork garda

Gather your information from a few select sources that you trust, and always be wary of potential online scams.

That was the message delivered at a presentation on cyber safety at Bandon Library earlier this month, where Detective Garda Paul O’Riordan of the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau gave advice on how to protect yourself from such scams, to spot fake websites, and preserve your privacy online.

The internet has had a huge positive impact on society since its inception, but has also brought many dangers.

At the public awareness meeting in Bandon, Garda O’Riordan addressed the public’s concerns and gave helpful tips on how to keep yourself and your family safe while online.

People are absorbing information very fast, he said, and scrolling onto the next thing, and a lot of it may not be factual.

“It’s the misinformation that we’re picking up that can cause problems. The advice is to gather your information from a few select sources that you trust,” he said.

We’re living more and more through social media.

However, cyber-crime investigations have found that the likes of Discord and Telegram carry links that can bring the user to child sexual abuse content within a few clicks.

As regards emails, the rule of thumb is, unless you know the message or email is coming from a reputable source, then don’t click on any links. Something harmful could end up infecting your computer without you even realising it.

“The weakest link when it comes to cyber-crime is often ourselves,” Garda O’Riordan said.

He pointed out that identity theft is only possible when we give information away and don’t secure our personal information.

Years ago, we might have had the simplest of passwords, but now it’s advisable to use something obscure. Change some letters to numbers, put in random capitals and perhaps a string of unrelated words.

You can also add a two-factor identification as an extra layer of protection. The more complex your passwords are, the less chance you can be compromised.

Garda O’Riordan gave examples of how we are leaving ourselves vulnerable to scammers.

“Every time you answer a questionnaire - what’s your favourite colour, the name of your first dog, what’s your favourite brand of car, what celebrity would you like to meet - you are offering the hacker an opportunity to find your passwords,” he warned.

“They will gather all of the information you have freely offered and the algorithms will do the rest.

“They’re very clever. They will add a keystroke the moment they have gained access and every time you log in you are giving away access to your private information without your knowledge.”

As for shopping sites, AI is creating shop fronts with locations in Ireland, warned the garda.

“They will take images from other sites and create false reviews. They’ll advertise a sale claiming Irish stock and Irish staff, but there is no shop. You’ll buy a product in good faith unknowingly giving away your card details to a scammer.

“The advice is to do a google search of the address to see if it really exists. If it doesn’t, report it.

Another scam that has been brought to the attention of the Gardaí by SMEs is a call supposedly from the boss to payroll at 5pm on a Friday when workers may be rushing to finish up. The criminals can use AI technology to replicate the voice of the manager, asking you to make an urgent payment to a bank account, and apologising for the last-minute request.

All they need is a voice clip from a promotion video to create the message using voice synthesising.

Another example is sending scam messages pretending to be from your child while they are at school, saying their phone has been stolen and they need money sent immediately.

The scammer may even be aware that your child is on a school tour or abroad on a trip, if they find it up on social media.

AI will generate the language or colloquialisms used in your area so as to make the text read as though it is from your child.

Tailgating is also growing. This is where a member of staff is using their swipe card to enter the work building. Behind them is a person in a high viz vest holding boxes. You’re trying to be helpful so you hold the door for them.

In reality, you’ve just given a stranger access to your building without knowing who they are.

“Awareness of online scams and fake news, and advances in scammer technology needs to be a priority for us all in order to keep ourselves safe,” said Garda O’Riordan.

He also advises parents talk to their children about online safety and to flag anything that looks suspicious or intrusive. New scams are being created every day so we need to be vigilant.

He also suggested some down time from tech for the family. Leave the phones on the shelf, he suggests, and discuss everyone’s day and link in with one another.