Mastercard tip: Be cautious with links!

 

Handle SMS messages about your package arrival and email offers with caution! Do not click on links immediately, as many of them appear legitimate but actually lead to phishing websites. Always check the URL to see if you recognize the site, if it is spelled correctly, and if it starts with https.

Ádám Novák: ,,Since the outbreak of COVID and the war, cybercrime has developed significantly: while these forms of attacks used to be quite transparent, they have become increasingly sophisticated. Consider whether you were expecting such an email, and instead of clicking on the received link, type in the URL of the website and navigate to the order information from there, as there are extremely cleverly forged websites that look just like the originals."

Mastercard tip: Provide your data wisely!

 

Make sure you are entering your data on the actual online merchant's site, and always check that you are on the bank's secure payment page. Do not provide more information than necessary, but for example, providing the CVC code is a security step that verifies you are the one making the purchase.

Ádám Novák: ,,The key when entering card details is that the platform is authentic, but there is no template for this, so pay special attention to the site's link and spelling errors, which may indicate fraud. Never provide your PIN code, online banking password, or account number! Only the credit card number, your name, expiration date, and CVC code may be requested during payment."

Mastercard tip: Choose strong passwords!

 

It is important to assign different passwords to each website so that if one of your accounts falls into the wrong hands, the others remain secure. The longer it is, the more time it takes for criminals to crack it. You can make your password even more secure by using special characters, uppercase letters, and numbers. When choosing a password, avoid personal information (e.g., name, nickname, birth date) and common passwords like 1234.

 

Ádám Novák: "In today's world, one of the greatest values is the protection of personal data. Identity theft and misuse are not worth it for most individuals, but stolen data can be used for committing crimes or launching targeted attacks against you later. It is advisable to use a password manager application, which helps generate new, strong passwords for every website and saves them. But if you create your own passwords, they should be at least 16 characters long and contain words and numbers that you can easily remember but others cannot automatically associate with you."

Mastercard tip: Always shop at reliable places!

 

Whether it's a domestic or foreign online store, it's worth shopping at an online shop that you know or have heard of. If you choose an unknown webshop, check what experiences others have had with it! See if there are terms and conditions and verifiable, real contact information on the site. Nowadays, almost every reliable company has its own application, which offers several convenience services, so it's worth using them too!

 

Ádám Novák:  "Always shop from a reliable site that is known to the market and you can check others' reviews about it. Applications are very useful, but many of them are aimed at phishing, such as free antivirus software and games, so be careful when downloading free programs!"