Did that title peak your interest?? It must have intrigued you somehow -it’s what brought you to read this! Take a minute to learn about “Click Bait” and Phishing.
What is Click Bait? It is content (on the internet) whose main purpose is to attract attention and encourage visitors to click on a link to a particular web page.
Although it is annoying, Click Bait can be harmless. However, hackers use ‘click bait’ in the hopes of catching a user off guard by getting you to click their link. If they can get you to do so, they can potentially trick you into installing malicious software (malware) on your computer. They could also send you to a phishing site (“the fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by disguising oneself as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.” -Wikipedia), or any other number of scam-related sites.
Examples of successful click bait headlines:
- Supermodels apply these three simple solutions to look young. Exclusive offer… get yours FREE!
- Man tries to hug a wild lion, click to learn what happens next!
- Download your FREE eBook (a $250 value)
- Eat this one food and live 20 years longer! Learn what it is!
Don’t fall for it! Stay away from ads that claim to be “exclusive”, “shocking”, or “sensational” footage. If it sounds too wild to be true , it most likely is.
Identify Click Bait
If you answer YES to any of these… You are most likely being scammed! Always think before you click!