9. The Survey Scam
Scam artists are constantly looking for ways to access your computer. One of their latest tactics is sending you a survey.
It could be about politics, items in the news, products you’ve purchased, etc. In election years, voting surveys are rampant.
You click the link, take the survey, and get a “thank you” message. You go about your business and never realize that, by clicking that link, you inadvertently downloaded malware.
There are many types of malware, none of them good. The whole point of malware is to give crooks access to your computer. Some scammers focus on capturing your keystrokes, giving them access to all of your personal information, including your passwords.
Others highjack your computer, using it to host pornography, sell drugs, or hide other illegal activity. Some steal money you earn through affiliate advertising programs. Some steal your email contacts and sell the information to spammers. And a new twist is holding your computer for ransom. Scammers lock your computer up and won’t grant you access until you pay them a ransom.
There’s a two-part defense against malware. First, make sure you’re running an up-to-date anti-malware program on your computer. Second, never act on a survey you get through an unsolicited email.