Striking Down Phishing: A Safer Internet Day Guide

🎳 As we celebrate Safer Internet Day, we want to ensure that your online experience with us is as smooth and secure as your bowling skills. In recent times, we've noticed an uptick in phishing attempts, and your safety is our top priority. Let's team up to recognize and tackle these online hazards. Here's a guide on how to spot phishing attempts and keep your online bowling journey free from strikes of a different kind.

 Understanding Phishing: Don't Get Hooked!

🎣 What is Phishing?

Phishing is a deceptive technique used by cybercriminals to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or financial details. These malicious actors often masquerade as trustworthy entities, creating a false sense of legitimacy to exploit unsuspecting users.

🚨 Common Phishing Attempts:

1. Email Spoofing:

   • Description: Scammers forge emails to appear as if they're from a legitimate source. These messages often contain urgent requests for personal information.
   • Example: A fake email claiming your account requires immediate verification, with a link redirecting to a fraudulent website. 
     
     

2. Phishing Websites:

   • Description: Cybercriminals create fake websites that closely mimic official sites, aiming to deceive users into entering sensitive information.
   • Example: A deceptive site imitating Creating the Difference's login page, designed to capture usernames and passwords.
     
     

3. Social Engineering on Social Media:

   • Description: Phishers exploit social media platforms to impersonate brands and interact with users, often claiming false giveaways or promotions.
   • Example: A fake Creating the Difference account announcing a contest, requesting personal information or payment to claim a prize.
     
     

4. Text Message (Smishing):

   • Description: Similar to email phishing, smishing uses text messages to deceive users into clicking on malicious links or providing sensitive information.
   • Example: A text claiming to be from Creating the Difference, instructing you to click a link urgently to secure your account.

Understanding these common phishing tactics empowers you to recognize and avoid falling victim to cyber threats. Stay vigilant and keep an eye out for suspicious communications as we navigate the digital bowling alley together.

 Identifying Legitimate Websites:

🔒 Check the URL: Before clicking on any link, always verify the website's URL. Legitimate sites will have a secure connection (https://) and will closely resemble our official domain (www.ctdbowling.com). Be wary of misspellings or variations.

Above are tips from Google for recognizing insecure websites when using Google Chrome. Web addresses should start with https:// not http:// 

🔍 Inspect the Website Design: Our website has a unique design and layout. Be cautious if you notice any deviations, such as different logos, colors, or fonts.

Above you can see we have both Google's secure symbol next to our website name and our website begins with https:// showing it has a secure connection.

 Avoiding Suspicious Emails:

📧 Verify Sender's Email Address: Our official communications will always come from an "@ctdbowling.com" email address. If you receive an email from an unknown or suspicious source, it's best to double-check its legitimacy.

You can see here that the email comes from help@ctdbowling.com. This is our official email address. If you see an email address you are unsure of, don't hesitate to reach out.

🚨 Beware of Urgent Requests: Phishing emails often create a sense of urgency. Be cautious if you receive messages demanding immediate action, such as resetting your password or updating personal information.

Examples: 

• URGENT Address Verification Needed for Your Order
• Password Reset for Account 
• Update Your Billing Information 
• ATTENTION: Unusual Account Activity Suspected

Any time you see an email like this for any website, exit the email and go to the website directly to confirm your account security. Do not click any links within the email as you may find a fake webpage that asks you for login information. 

 Recognizing Fake Social Media Profiles:

👤 Check for Account Names: Our official social media accounts are all listed as Creating the Difference or ctdbowling. 

Kbps Last is not one of our official social media profiles. marsdretess.shop is not our website. This is an attempt to get personal and/or credit card information from unsuspecting Facebook users. 

🛑 Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Messages: Scammers may impersonate us to announce fake giveaways or sell merchandise. We will never contact you via private messages for such purposes. All giveaways will be announced through our official Creating the Difference social media accounts or in our staff groups. Verify any such messages by reaching out to us through official channels like direct messaging us on our main profile or shooting an email to help@ctdbowling.com. 

In the above example, you can see someone messaging our Facebook account. This message uses a Meta logo, to make it appear that they are with Meta, even though they are messaging from a personal account. They attempt to create a sense of urgency by using time limits and words like immediately. Notice there are also spelling errors - "...a third party has reported that you offer..." 

Any time you get a message that appears to be from us, check the profile, the logo, and the name, and never click any links. When in doubt, navigate to our page and message us directly, or email help@ctdbowling.com for support. 

 Responding to Phishing Attacks:

😟 If You Fall Prey to Phishing:

1. 🚨 Act Quickly: If you suspect you've fallen victim to a phishing attempt, act promptly to minimize potential damage.

2. 📢 Inform Creating the Difference: Contact our support team immediately at help@ctdbowling.com to report the incident. The sooner we are aware, the quicker we can take action to help you secure your account.

3. 📞 Change Passwords: Change the passwords for any compromised accounts, including your Creating the Difference account and associated email address.

4. 🚫 Avoid Clicking Further: Refrain from clicking on any links or downloading any attachments in suspicious emails or messages.

5. 📱 Check Financial Statements: Monitor your financial accounts for any unauthorized transactions. If you notice anything unusual, report it to your bank or credit card provider.

6. 📝 File a Complaint with Authorities:

   1. For U.S. Residents: File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov/complaint. This helps authorities track and take action against cybercriminals. You can also file a complaint with the F.B.I.'s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov/home/filecomplaint 
   2. For International Users: Depending on your location, report the incident to your local cybercrime authorities or the appropriate regulatory body.
      
      

7. 📲 Phishing Reporting Tools: Use email service providers' reporting tools to mark phishing emails. This helps the provider improve their filters and protect other users. Use the report tool on social media to report suspicious profiles. 

Remember, swift action increases the chances of minimizing the impact of a phishing attack. Stay vigilant, and if in doubt, reach out to our support team for guidance.

 Conclusion:

🌐 As we unite for Safer Internet Day, let's keep our online bowling experience enjoyable and secure with Creating the Difference. By staying vigilant and following these tips, we can collectively bowl a perfect game against phishing attempts. Feel free to reach out to our support team if you ever have doubts or concerns. Let's roll those phishing attempts out of the alley and keep the lanes safe for everyone!

Remember, a safer internet is a strikingly better internet! 🎳🔒