You’ve heard that there are plenty of fish in the sea–but did you know about all the phishing that takes place every year in honor of Valentine’s Day? Any holiday that centers around online shopping sparks increased cyberattacks. Here are a few trends to look out for this Valentine’s Day:
- Phishing Emails: If you receive an email with a Valentine’s Day deal that seems too good to be true, it’s probably phishing. Be wary of emails that appear to be targeting Valentine’s Day shoppers. Some signs of a phishing email include misspellings, urgency, and unknown links.
- Malware: In Valentine’s Day past, malicious actors have mimicked popular dating websites through online advertisements or promotional emails. They urge their users to click on a link to a special offer, asking for personal or credit card information.
This weekend, if you see a promotional advertisement or video that looks a little phish-y, avoid clicking links. Instead, we recommend just googling the retailer to make your purchase and receive any Valentine’s Day deals.