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<ul class="summary-list"><li>Google is testing its Gemini AI to detect and alert users of potential scams during phone calls.</li><li>The AI alerts users of scam patterns like urgent payment demands.</li></ul>Google is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-future-ai-agents-project-astra-2024-5">playing around with AI tech</a> that would listen to your calls and warn you of potential scams.Google <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/madebygoogle/status/1790449419684573288?">announced on X</a> on Tuesday that it's testing a new Gemini AI feature that "provides real-time alerts during a call if it detects conversation patterns commonly associated with scams.""This protection all happens on-device so your conversation stays private to you," the company said.The announcement is part of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-search-ai-announcement-gemini-io-event-2024-5">Google's expansion of the Gemini Nano</a>, the company's AI model that was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-io-2024-live-updates-ai-search-android-announcements-2024-5">added to the Pixel 9 smartphone</a>.Google says the new feature would alert users for things like a bank representative pressuring you for an urgent payment, or demanding transactions through gift cards.The FTC estimates Americans <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/02/nationwide-fraud-losses-top-10-billion-2023-ftc-steps-efforts-protect-public">lost up to $10 billion</a> to scams last year alone. Scams often take place online or over the phone. In December, an executive for Mandiant, a cyber-security company owned by Google, said the company <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ransomware-attacks-corporations-children-executives-mandiant-google-cyber-security-2024-5">expects to see increased activity by scammers</a> this year.

Google has an idea to prevent phone scams, but it'll mean allowing its AI to listen in on your calls

In the last few months, have you received a suspicious call from a stranger claiming that you have won a cash prize? Or has someone tried reaching out to you saying that a relative is in trouble and urgently needs money? If you answered yes to any of these questions, know that you are not alone. <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> has reported a rise in scam calls in recent months and these calls seem to be increasing at a rapid rate. But not just calls, there are various other platforms that scammers try to take advantage of, to rob people of their hard-earned money. Read on to know about the top 5 <keyword id="22618205" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="personal-finance-scams" source="keywords">personal finance scams</keyword> that are surfacing in India and how you can stay safe from them. <h2>Fake <keyword id="20488964" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="job-offer" source="keywords">job offer</keyword> scams</h2>This is one of the most commonly reported scams. Over the last year, there have been many cases where people were approached for seemingly lucrative job offers via platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. Some of these cases involved the victim making payments to certain accounts, while being made to believe that it is a part of the job and there will be a handsome return later. For instance, a PTI report in May this year revealed that a woman from Navi Mumbai found herself trapped in an online fraud and lost Rs 54 lakh. The victim wanted to earn some extra money by working from home and was reportedly offered freelance work by the scammers. She was also told that she would earn money after completing five tasks. And to receive these tasks, the woman claimed that she paid Rs 54.30 lakh in various accounts. When the woman asked for payment after completing the tasks assigned to her, the scammers stopped replying. <h2>Sweetheart scams</h2>Meeting the love of your life through an <keyword id="20167528" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="online-platform" source="keywords">online platform</keyword> seems too good to be true at times. And sometimes, this really is the case. Various cases have surfaced in the past where the victims were duped of their hard-earned money by their online lovers. Just last month, a man in Delhi was scammed of Rs 1.2 lakh when he planned to meet a woman he was talking to on Tinder. The two met at a cafe in Delhi to celebrate the woman’s birthday and ordered some snacks, cakes, and wine. The woman however, abruptly left in the middle of the date citing a family emergency. And the victim incurred a bill of Rs 1,21,917.70 for food that should have only cost a few thousand bucks. When he questioned the high bill, he was threatened and forced to pay. After investigating, the police found that the cafe split the high bills in a set way: 15% to the girl, 45% to the table and cafe managers, and 40% to the owners. <h2>Fake screenshots scams</h2>Another type of scam that is widely happening in the country is where you are shown a screenshot that gives the impression that your account has been credited with some money, when it actually has not. For instance, in March this year, a Delhi Uber driver was making headlines for overcharging a customer for a ride to the airport. A Moneycontrol report mentioned how a man described his experience in a Reddit thread. As per the report, the man said that he had booked a ride to the airport and the initial fare was Rs 340. However, when the ride was completed, the Uber driver showed him a screenshot which depicted that the fare was Rs 648. The driver had claimed that the fare increased due to more waiting time. However, that wasn’t the case and the driver had created a fake screenshot to demand extra money. After this post went viral, several other Reddit users reported similar incidents. <h2><keyword id="19925254" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="YouTube" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="YouTube" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="YouTube">YouTube</keyword> like and earn scam</h2>This one is similar to the completing tasks scam. In this scam, <keyword id="20013464" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fraudsters" source="keywords">fraudsters</keyword> tend to tell the victim that they will have to engage with a YouTube channel to earn money. They then ask the person to make certain payments, promising a greater reward later on. Once the victim transfers the money, the fraudsters tend to disappear into thin air. In February this year, there were reports of a man losing Rs 16 lakh due to such a scam. <h2><keyword id="19957108" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="online-shopping" source="keywords">Online shopping</keyword> scam</h2>If you have ever shopped online, be sure to read this one. Many scamsters come up with fake advertisements on reputed platforms like Instagram to lure people into buying items online. In such scams, once the order has been placed and payment has been made, the victim doesn’t receive the products. In addition to this, scammers can also pose as bank employees and gain access to sensitive information of the victim’s account. For instance, a report by PTI last year revealed that a 70-year-old woman was buying six towels online for Rs 1,160. While making the payment, Rs 19,005 was taken from her account instead of Rs 1,160. She tried to contact the bank helpline but couldn't reach them. Soon after, she got a call from an unknown number. The caller claimed to be from the bank and offered to help with her payment problem. He asked her to download an app for the refund. The woman followed his instructions but ended up losing Rs 1 lakh from her account. When she saw the unauthorised transactions, she went to the police station. Meanwhile, another Rs 8.3 lakh was withdrawn from her account. <h2>How to stay safe from such scams</h2>Even though more and more people are being targeted by scammers, there are some ways that you can ensure that you stay safe. Keep these few points in mind in order to protect yourself against personal financial scams. <ol><li>Don’t share your personal information with strangers online or on the phone. </li><li>Don’t make any payments just because a stranger told you to. Verify the situation and the person’s credentials. </li><li>Don’t click on suspicious links that are sent to you on emails or text messages. </li><li>Avoid shopping for doubtful websites or accepting job offers from sites that appear dubious. </li><li>Before taking up any job offer, perform a thorough search of the company or the person who is claiming to recruit you. </li><li>Read up a bit about popular scams going on right now. At times, a simple Google Search can help you save up loads of money. </li></ol>

Top 5 personal finance scams in India and how to stay safe from them

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Laura Kankaala started as a white-hat hacker and now works for a cybersecurity firm in Finland.</li><li>She said ransomware attacks used to be few and far between; now, new scams are appearing daily.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Laura Kankaala, head of threat intelligence at <a target="_blank" href="https://company.f-secure.com/en">F-Secure</a>, a Finnish cybersecurity company. The following has been edited for length and clarity.I've always found hacking fascinating. Shadowy people who take advantage of weaknesses in technology. It had a mystique.I liked the idea of doing the same thing, but without the criminal intent: finding those problems and fixing them.I've been into computers since I was a kid. When I started my career, there were no university degrees in hacking. I taught myself and learned through experience.I've worked in cyber security for almost 10 years now. I started as a consultant, doing what we call "penetration testing": hacking into companies' websites, mobile apps, and IT infrastructure to fix vulnerabilities in their systems. I've also helped companies to recover from hacking incidents: we call it "incident response."I've been head of threat intelligence at F-Secure, a cybersecurity company in Finland, for two years. I analyze internet attacks and conduct research into how people are targeted. Once we understand how a scam works, we add it to our database and can innovate new protections.I find it worrying how technology can be misused — and the kinds of misuse are only increasing.<h2 id="452b9e49-09b8-4388-82eb-a1125bf414b3">Cybercrime is usually about getting money out of the victim</h2>Cybercrime is almost always about money. Sometimes, it's a ransomware attack, where malware — software designed for malicious intent — makes a system inoperable. The company or individual is then asked to pay for the release of their IT infrastructure, data, or whatever has been stolen.If someone gains access to your online accounts or gets malware installed on your devices, it's very likely that the stolen data ends up being for sale on the internet.Every year, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/advisor/vpn/cybercrime-statistics">cybercriminals steal</a> — or attempt to steal — more money from companies and individuals.At the start of my career, many of the threats we saw were somewhat abstract, and their impact wasn't as widespread. I remember some of the first instances of ransomware that hit Finland. At the time, these attacks were few and far between.But over the course of my career, technology has become a huge part of our lives: we carry our phones with us all the time, work remotely, have email and phone numbers, and use social media, dating, and gaming platforms.We have so much exposure on the internet, which makes us easier to target. Our data is becoming more valuable, and there are more ways that cybercriminals can benefit from stealing it.<h2 id="5da0fa55-29cf-469a-bf79-9f2ac3c77c6c">Hackers can access more information than you'd think possible</h2>As part of a <a target="_blank" href="https://areena.yle.fi/1-4664681">Finnish TV series</a> to help people understand the impact of hacking, we hacked into a person's computer with her permission. The volunteer still fell for our scam, even knowing she would be hacked.We created fake profiles online, taking time to craft them so they'd appear as real people. On LinkedIn, for example, we gained as many connections as possible so that she would accept without question when we reached out to our target.After we'd accomplished that, we directed her to a phishing site we had developed. It was a website that looked like Google, which we used to steal her credentials. We created a piece of malware that we convinced her to install, giving us full access to her PC and its data. We even turned on her webcam and recorded her.This flashy example was made for entertainment, but it still showcased how real criminals use fake profiles, phishing websites, and malware to compromise a person or company.<h2 id="cf3a9d25-5286-44f1-9f78-7f4f606e543c">New scams are being developed every day</h2>I see multiple new scams or cyber security problems every day.My team have uncovered a Telegram bot that generates and shares malware in the language based on the country code of the user's phone number; we discovered a scam where Android malware was disguised as wedding guest invitations; we have looked into scammers creating fake profiles based on recently deceased people online.Scams and the whole ecosystem around them are becoming more sophisticated, and I think they will continue to do so. Scammers have developed phishing toolkits that are freely available on the internet: step-by-step guidance on how to set up phishing attacks or ready-made websites that look like social media platforms with built-in phishing tools, so scammers don't need to know how to write code. You can even buy malware online, which comes with a kind of help desk for users.Cybercrime is easier to do than ever before, and these toolkits will become more advanced and widely available. It's a big problem.AI is increasingly being used as a tool for these attacks. It's creating better-looking scams, while deepfakes, voice clones, and video filters make it easier to fool people into believing things on the internet.We're seeing romance scams where scammers are using deepfake video filter tools to pretend to be celebrities, for instance. They find people on dating apps, take the conversation to an instant messaging app and have a video chat, using filters to mimic someone else's appearance.I've seen it used for investment scams, and there have been instances where a CEO's voice has been cloned with an AI tool and used to send a voice note over WhatsApp asking for money.Thankfully, cyber security is being taken more seriously than it used to be. Sometimes, I feel like I'm banging my head against a wall, and nothing is changing. But I do think that my work is doing something good every day and helping people. I'm hoping to do more of that in the future.

I've built a career in ethical hacking. Online scams are getting much, much worse — and AI isn't helping.

<ul><li><keyword id="6355629" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google" source="Orion">Google</keyword> has launched the <keyword id="21304170" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pixel-9" source="keywords">Pixel 9</keyword> series, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and the Pixel Watch 3.</li><li>The Pixel 9 series is equipped with the company’s Tensor G4 chipset.</li><li>Here’s everything you need to know about the latest Pixel smartphones from Google.</li></ul>Google has launched the Pixel 9, <keyword id="21304169" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pixel-9-Pro" source="keywords">Pixel 9 Pro</keyword> and the <keyword id="22185014" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pixel-9-Pro-XL" source="keywords">Pixel 9 Pro XL</keyword>, the company’s latest flagship smartphones and the successors of the Pixel 8 series in India. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is a new addition to the series and offers the largest display. The Pixel 9 series comes with several improvements, including a new chipset, revamped design and improved artificial intelligence (AI) features. The company also launched the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 3 and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 at the event. <h2>Pixel 9 price and availability</h2>The Google Pixel 9 has been priced at ₹79,999 for the sole 256GB variant. It is available in Obsidian, Peony, Porcelain and Wintergreen colour options. The device will be available starting from August 22 from Flipkart, Croma and Reliance Digital. <h2>Pixel 9 specifications</h2>The Pixel 9 runs on Android 14 out of the box and is promised to get seven years of Android updates, security patches and Pixel Drops. The device features a 6.3-inch Full HD+ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It comes with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection and offers 2,700 nits peak brightness. <div type="image" title="Pixel 9" msid="112512170" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Google Pixel 9&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The Pixel 9 is equipped with the company’s new Google Tensor G4 chipset built on Samsung’s 4nm process. The device comes with 8GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage. While there is a 128GB variant, it has not been launched in India. Coming to the optics, the Pixel 9 features a dual camera setup at the back, consisting of a 50MP primary camera with Samsung GNK sensor, OIS and a 48MP ultra-wide-angle camera with Sony IMX858 sensor. The camera has features such as 8X high-res zoom, Cinematic Blur, 10-bit HDR recording, and more. On the front, the device sports a 10.5MP selfie camera with Samsung 3J1 sensor. It is powered by a 4,700mAh battery with 27W wired and 15W wireless charging support. <h2>Pixel 9 Pro, <keyword id="22781420" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pixel-9-pro-xl-price" source="Orion">Pixel 9 Pro XL price</keyword> and availability</h2>The Pixel 9 Pro has been priced at ₹1,09,999 for the 16GB RAM + 256GB internal storage variant. The device comes in Hazel, Porcelain, Rose Quartz, and Obsidian colour options. On the other hand, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has been priced at ₹1,24,999 for the 256GB variant and ₹1,39,999 for the 512GB variant. <h2>Pixel 9 Pro specifications</h2>The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL run on Android 14 out of the box and are promised to get seven years of Android updates, Pixel Drops and security patches. The Pixel 9 Pro features a 6.3-inch 1.5K LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection and 3,00 nits peak brightness. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is equipped with a larger 6.8-inch Quad HD+ LTPO AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection and 3,00 nits peak brightness. <div type="image" title="Pixel 9 Pro XL" msid="112512186" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Pixel 9 Pro XL&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are also equipped with the same Google Tensor G4 chipset. While the Pixel 9 Pro is offered in a single 256GB internal storage variant, the Pixel 9 Pro XL comes in 256GB and 512GB variants. Coming to the camera department, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL feature the same triple camera setup at the back, consisting of a 50MP primary camera with a Samsung GN2 sensor, OIS, a 48MP Quad-Phase detection autofocus ultra-wide-angle camera with Sony IMX858 sensor and a 48MP 5x telephoto camera with up to 30x super-res digital zoom. On the front, the devices feature a 42MP selfie camera with Sony IMX858 sensor. An exclusive for the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the skin temperature sensor, which is placed next to the camera setup. The Pixel 9 Pro is powered by a 4,700mAh battery with 27W wired and 21W wireless charging support. The Pixel 9 Pro XL on the other hand is offered with a bigger 5,060mAh battery with 37W wired charging support and 23W wireless charging support. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/ipo-scam-two-victims-from-hyderabad-lose-over-11crore-in-fake-ipo-scams/articleshow/112488051.cms">IPO scam – Two victims from Hyderabad lose over ₹11 crore in fake IPO scams</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-6-review/articleshow/112497472.cms">Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review – the complete package</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/indias-wearables-market-decline-for-the-first-time-as-smartwatch-shipments-fall/articleshow/112397246.cms">India’s wearables market decline for the first time as smartwatch shipments fall</a>

Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL launched in India starting at ₹79,999

<ul><li>These scams predominantly target inexperienced job seekers who may not recognize the warning signs </li><li><keyword id="386981" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="scammers" source="Orion">Scammers</keyword> entice individuals with unrealistic offers or by impersonating legitimate companies </li><li>Under any circumstances, candidates should not transfer funds to unfamiliar accounts or reveal their bank/financial details </li></ul><keyword id="6953455" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="job-scams" source="Orion">Job scams</keyword> were always around, but ever since the pandemic and lockdowns, remote job scams have become more common. In the post-pandemic world, many companies have continued with remote work. However, others have called their employees back to the office. Some have also adopted a hybrid model where employees need to go to the office a few days every week. And the scammers are taking advantage of this trend! Why remote job scams are on the rise The increase in fake job scams, especially remote job scams can be attributed to several factors. Lots of people, especially those who got used to the remote working conditions, are now looking for remote jobs because it not only allows them to work from the comfort of their homes, it also does away with commuting and offers a better work-life balance. This is a need that remote job scammers target. Candidates often upload their personal information such as mobile number, email address, educational qualification, etc. on various online job portals during the job hunt. “Malicious parties can easily pry into such personal details and misuse them to create fake jobs. Additionally, with remote work models becoming commonplace, more candidates are falling for these traps in hopes of an opportunity without much verification,” says Sachin Alug, CEO of NLB Services, a talent solutions company. A challenging job market coupled with eager job seekers renders individuals more vulnerable to scams promising lucrative opportunities. Many of these jobs come with the promise of an entirely remote job, with a good salary and healthy benefits. “The prevalence of online job searching provides scammers with anonymity, enabling them to easily post <keyword id="18849320" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fake-listings" source="Orion">fake listings</keyword> that appear authentic. The emergence of deepfakes introduces a new and concerning threat to job seekers in India, further complicating existing scams,” says Manu Saigal, Director, General Staffing, Adecco, a job consultancy. These scams predominantly target inexperienced job seekers who may not recognize the warning signs. Scammers entice individuals with unrealistic offers or by impersonating legitimate companies. This not only jeopardises the financial well-being of job seekers but also tarnishes the reputation of genuine companies, as scammers often exploit their identities to lend credibility to their schemes. Be aware of potential red flags It is possible to identify job scams if you are aware of certain red flags. “By remaining vigilant and aware of these red flags, you can significantly mitigate the risk of falling victim to fraudulent job scams and other deceptive tactics,” says Saigal. Unrealistic offers: Many such job offers are unrealistic, particularly if they offer exceptionally high salaries or benefits with minimal experience required. Also, employers in foreign countries may not be offering fully remote jobs to those in India. Fake urgency: Beware of scammers pressuring you to act quickly, bypass standard application procedures, or pay upfront fees. Reputable companies typically maintain clear and established application processes. Unprofessional communication: Watch for typos, grammatical errors, or poorly written communication in job postings or emails, as legitimate companies typically uphold professional communication standards. Requests for personal information or upfront payment: Avoid disclosing sensitive information such as bank details or social security numbers during the application process. Legitimate companies do not require payment for training or equipment prior to employment. Do not fall into the trap First and foremost, jobseekers must use authentic platforms to share their personal information. Clicking on a random link they receive in email or visiting a job site they have not heard of before is never a good idea. “When contacted for jobs, they must conduct thorough research on the offering party to validate their authenticity. A Google/LinkedIn search can be quite handy in verifying the identity of the employer/recruiter,” says Alug. Under any circumstances, candidates should not transfer funds to unfamiliar accounts or reveal their bank/financial details. Jobseekers can avoid these traps by exercising caution and doing their due diligence before responding to a job. Remember, if something is too good to be true, it probably is.

Remote job scams are on the rise! How to stay safe?

<ul><li>WhatsApp has become a popular target for scammers.</li><li>Scammers target unsuspecting users via WA with job offers, QR codes, crypto scams and more.</li><li>Beware of unsolicited messages, especially those that ask for personal information.</li><li>Read about the different types of WhatsApp scams and how you can spot them.</li></ul>With its widespread usage and seamless communication capabilities, WhatsApp has seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, connecting people across the globe. However, the growing concern lies in the fact that this popular messaging platform has also become a breeding ground for scams and fraudulent activities, particularly in <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> — one of its largest markets. These scams manifest in various forms, posing serious consequences that range from financial losses to compromised personal information and even identity theft. Exploiting the trust and vulnerability of unsuspecting users, scammers employ deceptive tactics that prey on desires for financial gain, job opportunities, or other enticing offers. Adding to the complexity, scammers often impersonate reputable organizations or individuals, blurring the line between genuine and fraudulent messages. To make matters worse, scammers constantly adapt their tactics to match the evolving technological landscape. This emphasizes the need for users to stay informed and educated about scams to protect themselves. By acquiring knowledge of the different types of WhatsApp scams in India and implementing preventive measures, individuals can fortify their defenses against these rising threats. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Different types of WhatsApp scam in India" comment="subhead" text="Different types of WhatsApp scam in India">Different types of <keyword id="17439678" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WhatsApp-scam-in-India" source="Orion">WhatsApp scam in India</keyword></cmsannotation> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Work from Home" comment="subhead" text="Work from Home">Work from Home</cmsannotation> In a prevalent work-from-home scam, scammers target individuals by sending enticing job offers and subsequently instructing them to create <keyword id="1275203" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="telegram" source="Orion">Telegram</keyword> accounts. Once the victims respond to the job offer, they are then assigned tasks that require them to pay a certain amount of money for each task. This particular scam capitalizes on the increasing popularity of remote work and the desire for flexible job opportunities. By leveraging the anonymity and ease of communication offered by Telegram, scammers create an illusion of legitimacy and credibility. However, it is important to recognize the red flags and protect oneself from falling victim to such fraudulent schemes. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="WhatsApp QR code" comment="subhead" text="WhatsApp QR code"><keyword id="7120243" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="whatsapp-qr" source="Orion">WhatsApp QR</keyword> code</cmsannotation> Fraudsters frequently attempt to deceive users by sending text messages accompanied by a QR code, claiming that the recipient has won a cash prize. However, falling for this scam leads users to inadvertently pay money to the fraudster instead of receiving any prize. In this scheme, scammers exploit the desire for monetary gain and lure unsuspecting individuals into their trap through the promise of a cash reward. By sending text messages containing enticing messages and QR codes, they create an illusion of legitimacy. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Crypto scams" comment="subhead" text="Crypto scams">Crypto scams</cmsannotation> Cybercriminals often entice unsuspecting users by soliciting investments in cryptocurrencies, enticing them with the promise of significant returns on their investment. In this scam, fraudsters leverage the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies and capitalize on people's desire to capitalize on the digital asset market. They employ persuasive tactics to convince individuals to invest their money in dubious or non-existent digital currencies. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Lottery scams" comment="subhead" text="Lottery scams">Lottery scams</cmsannotation> This particular scam revolves around an image or video that falsely declares the recipient as the winner of a substantial cash prize. The scam prompts the user to contact the phone number mentioned in the image or video and requests the payment of a certain amount, which is claimed to be refundable. In this scheme, fraudsters prey upon people's desire for financial gain and exploit their trust through the allure of winning a prize. By presenting an image or video that appears authentic, they create a sense of credibility. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Video call scam" comment="subhead" text="Video call scam">Video call scam</cmsannotation> This particular scam operates on a more sinister level, employing blackmail tactics to exploit innocent users. In this scenario, users receive video calls from unfamiliar numbers, often accompanied by profile pictures of attractive individuals. Upon answering the call, the scammer immediately starts playing explicit videos, typically of a sexual nature, while secretly recording the user's reaction. With the recorded material in hand, the scammer proceeds to blackmail the user, demanding a sum of money. They threaten to share the compromising video online or with the user's contacts unless the ransom is paid. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="How to recognise WhatsApp scams?" comment="subhead" text="How to recognise WhatsApp scams?">How to recognise WhatsApp scams?</cmsannotation> Unsolicited messages: Be wary of receiving messages from unknown numbers or contacts without any prior interaction. Scammers often initiate conversations without any legitimate reason or connection. Poor grammar and spelling errors: Pay attention to messages that contain noticeable grammar mistakes, mis-spelt words, or awkward language usage. These errors can indicate a lack of professionalism or a scammer operating from a non-English-speaking background. Requests for personal information: Legitimate organizations rarely ask for personal information like passwords, financial details, or identification documents through WhatsApp messages. If someone requests sensitive information, it's best to be suspicious as it may be an attempt to scam you. Offers that seem too good to be true: Exercise skepticism when you receive offers that appear too good to be true, such as winning lotteries, receiving large sums of money effortlessly, or unbelievable discounts. Legitimate opportunities usually involve effort or carry some level of risk. Urgency and pressure tactics: Scammers often create a sense of urgency and pressure you to act quickly without giving you time to verify their claims. Be cautious of messages that demand immediate action or threaten negative consequences if you don't comply. Suspicious links or attachments: Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown attachments sent through WhatsApp messages. These can contain malware or be part of phishing attempts to steal your personal information. Impersonation of trusted individuals or organizations: Scammers may pretend to be trusted contacts, companies, or government agencies to gain your trust. Verify the sender's identity through alternate means before sharing any information. Unusual or unexpected requests: Be wary if someone asks you to perform unusual tasks, make payments, or share sensitive information through WhatsApp. Take the time to verify the authenticity of the request through official channels or by contacting the organization directly. Lack of verification symbols: Official businesses or organizations on WhatsApp often have verified accounts indicated by a green badge next to their profile. If a message comes from an unverified account claiming to represent a well-known entity, it raises suspicion and may be a scam. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/heres-how-googles-new-ai-updates-will-transform-your-search-experience/articleshow/100242791.cms">Here’s how Google’s new AI updates will transform your search experience</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/best-google-pixel-7a-alternatives-5-phones-to-consider-before-you-buy/articleshow/100252872.cms">Best Google Pixel 7a alternatives: 5 phones to consider before you buy</a>

Winning lotteries on WA? It could be one of the many scams going around

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Google is suing two crypto scammers it says threatened the integrity of its platforms. </li><li>Scammers tricked Google Play into hosting 87 fake crypto apps, conning over 100,000 users, Google says.</li></ul><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-losing-cool-factor-popularity-silicon-valley-comeback-2024-2">Google</a> says crypto scammers are hurting the integrity of its services.The Alphabet-owned tech giant filed a civil lawsuit in New York federal court on Thursday against a pair of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennials-investment-crypto-scams-boomers-fraud-fbi-report-2024-3">crypto scammers</a>, alleging they duped the company into allowing fraudulent apps on Google Play.Through those apps, Google says in the filing, the scammers managed to con over 100,000 people around the world out of anywhere from $100 to tens of thousands of dollars each.Google accuses the two scammers — an app developer based in Shenzhen, China, and another based in Hong Kong — of creating apps that purported to be legitimate cryptocurrency exchanges and investment platforms. The lawsuit alleges the fraudsters tricked Google into accepting their apps on its app store, Google Play, by misrepresenting their identity, location, and intent.And every time Google realized one of the apps was a scam and shut it down, the fraudsters would find a way to create and upload another to Google Play, resulting in a total of 87 fake crypto apps.The company says the two men would promote their apps in YouTube videos and through text message campaigns, convincing their victims to invest money through the app and not allowing them to withdraw it, even after the victims had made apparent financial gains.Google alleges the fraudsters didn't just exploit the company's innocent customers, but also exploited Google, costing it over $75,000 in expenses and resources put toward investigating the scams.And Google is peeved that these scammers made it look bad — the company mentions the "integrity" of its platforms a dozen times throughout the suit."By using Google Play to conduct their Fraud Scheme, Defendants have threatened the integrity of Google Play and the user experience," the lawsuit states. "Defendant's scheme has thus impaired Google users' confidence and trust in Google, its services, and its platforms."A spokesperson for Google told Business Insider that the company is committed to weeding out fraud, and this lawsuit is just the start."Keeping people safe online is core to our business and we will not tolerate the misuse of our platforms to facilitate cryptocurrency scams," Google's general counsel, Halimah DeLaine Prado, told BI. "This litigation is a critical step in holding these bad actors accountable and sending a clear message that we will aggressively pursue those who seek to take advantage of our users."

Google says crypto fraudsters are making it look bad

Cybercriminals are profiting from X "Gold" verification badge by selling compromised accounts for phishing and scams on the dark web marketplaces and forums, a new report revealed on Thursday. According to the cybersecurity firm <keyword id="20065627" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="cloudsek" source="keywords">CloudSEK</keyword>, these accounts pose a huge risk for organisations and individuals alike, as they can be used to spread disinformation, launch phishing attacks, and steal sensitive information. X Gold is a paid feature introduced by the Elon Musk-run microblogging platform, which grants accounts a gold badge alongside the blue and grey tick, signifying legitimacy and brand recognition. However, the ease of obtaining <keyword id="20065624" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="twitter-gold" source="keywords">Twitter Gold</keyword> has attracted malicious actors who are purchasing and compromising accounts to further their nefarious activities, the report noted. The researchers found that dark web marketplaces are flooded with advertisements selling X Gold accounts, with prices ranging from $35 for a basic account to $2,000 for accounts with large followings. "The advertisements on the dark web can be traced back to multiple online shops and their marketing partners, such as Facebook, <keyword id="19897633" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="telegram" source="keywords">Telegram</keyword>, etc. Some X account providers have hosted their shops successfully for over four years and used the same medium to advertise Twitter Gold accounts," said <keyword id="20065625" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="rishika-desai" source="keywords">Rishika Desai</keyword>, <keyword id="20065626" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="cyber-threat-researcher" source="keywords">Cyber Threat Researcher</keyword> at CloudSEK. "The amount of shops and service providers today is humongous, and most of them can be detected by running simple Google Dorks," she added. According to the report, hackers can use Twitter Gold accounts to send seemingly legitimate tweets containing malicious links that steal personal information, such as login credentials and credit card numbers. They can also spread false information and propaganda through Twitter Gold accounts, potentially impacting public opinion and causing reputational damage. In addition, hackers can use these accounts to promote fake investment opportunities, cryptocurrency scams, and other financial frauds, the report said. Researchers recommended to regularly monitor brand mentions on Twitter and implement strong password policies to protect against account compromise. Be wary of tweets from unknown accounts, especially those with the Gold badge. Do not click on suspicious links or engage with accounts that seem too good to be true. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/redmi-note-13-vs-note-13-pro-vs-note-13-pro-plus-redmi-note-13-series-compared/slidelist/106544325.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/redmi-note-13-vs-note-13-pro-vs-note-13-pro-plus-redmi-note-13-series-compared/slidelist/106544325.cms" target="_blank">Redmi Note 13 series: Base vs Pro vs Pro Plus compared</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/vivo-x100-review-top-end-camera-centric-smartphone-with-sleek-design/articleshow/106539033.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/vivo-x100-review-top-end-camera-centric-smartphone-with-sleek-design/articleshow/106539033.cms" target="_blank">Vivo X100 review – Top-end camera centric smartphone with sleek design</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/vivo-x100-and-x100-pro-camera-centric-smartphones-with-up-to-5400mah-battery-hit-indian-market/articleshow/106537175.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/vivo-x100-and-x100-pro-camera-centric-smartphones-with-up-to-5400mah-battery-hit-indian-market/articleshow/106537175.cms" target="_blank">Vivo X100 and X100 Pro camera centric smartphones with up to 5,400mAh battery hit Indian market</a>

Hackers selling X Gold accounts on dark web for phishing, scams: Report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Amazon customers flooded social media, confused about an email telling them they bought gift cards.</li><li>The email warned the recipients about gift card scams, but the email itself sounded like a scam.</li></ul><a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/family-is-suing-amazon-delivery-driver-killed-2-year-old-2023-4">Amazon</a> apparently sent out emails to hundreds of people thanking them for gift card purchases they never made and telling them to be wary of scams.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/virginia-anti-porn-law-used-flag-pornography-in-bible-reddit-2023-8">A Reddit community</a> devoted to talking about scams was flooded with people worried about emails from Amazon that they received yesterday thanking them for gift card purchases for services such as Google Play, Hotels.com, and Mastercard."My wife received three emails from Amazon regarding recently purchased Amazon gift cards," <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Scams/comments/16wnvie/received_three_emails_about_purchased_amazon_gift/">one user wrote</a>."We logged in to her Amazon account (didn't click any links) and there is nothing in her purchase history," the user added. "Also nothing on her Amazon credit card."In a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Scams/comments/16wnr2l/important_information_about_your_gift_card_order/">screenshot of an email in one post</a>, Amazon warns the person who received the email that "there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters trick others into paying with gift cards from well-known brands" before prompting the user to click a link to learn more about gift card scams. The user who posted the screenshot said the email came from store-news@amazon.com."An error in our email system resulted in an order confirmation email being sent to customers who did not purchase a gift card," an Amazon spokesperson told Insider. "We have fixed this error so it won't happen again, and are emailing these customers to inform them of the error and apologize for the inconvenience."Scammers <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-walmart-target-best-buy-take-steps-to-curb-gift-card-fraud-2018-11">often use retail gift cards to buy third-party cards,</a> such as Google Play, which can be resold on the black market. Scammers will also impersonate loved ones, telling them they need money for urgent reasons, and that the only way they can receive it is through gift cards.Hundreds of other people on Reddit said they received similar emails on Saturday after they had not purchased any gift cards. One user said they received the email about 20 minutes after making a purchase unrelated to gift cards."I'm just glad we're all smart enough to search it and not click all over the damn email," one user wrote."Some intern just caused a global panic and is definitely fired," another added.

Amazon sent an email that sounded like a gift card scam to warn about gift card scams, confusing customers

<keyword id="6355629" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google" source="Orion">Google</keyword> has alerted <keyword id="51500" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="gmail" source="Orion">Gmail</keyword> users about five key scams and spams during the holiday season. The company advised users to avoid gift card and giveaway frauds, charity-related scams, demographic targeting scams, subscription renewals frauds and crypto scams. The tech giant protects users from around 15 billion unwanted messages a day and blocks more than 99.9 per cent of spam, phishing and malware, the company said in a blog post. A gift card and giveaway frauds are common during the peak holiday season. Scammers may try to fool victims into buying a gift card for them, by pretending to be a recognised contact or offering a free present in exchange for their credit card number. Moreover, if a giveaway seems too good to be true, it can be a scam. Charity-related scams and phishing attempts are harmful to both the victims of the frauds and the charities that would have benefited from the donations. Keep a look out for identity-based malicious emails, which may impersonate local parent-teacher association's (<keyword id="65629" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pta" source="Orion">PTA</keyword>) board members or target certain age groups with fake emails, the company said. Scams involving membership renewal may create fake antivirus services in an effort to attract victims with the promise of increased security. Even though some scammers are highly skilled at making their messages appear believable, users should always check the sender's email. If something seems wrong, it might be fake. Crypto-based frauds frequently come in the form of variations, one of which attempts to extort money from a victim by threatening them. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/vocal-for-local-online-commerce-unicorn-meesho-joins-ondc-to-aid-local-sellers/articleshow/95704818.cms">Vocal for local: Online commerce unicorn Meesho joins ONDC to aid local sellers</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/asus-launches-new-desktops-starting-at-54990-in-india/articleshow/95708142.cms">Asus launches new desktops starting at ₹54,990 in India</a>

Google alerts users about 5 key holiday season scams

Eddie Cumberbatch was sitting in his Chicago apartment in April when he received a frantic call from his father. As soon as he heard his dad's voice, Eddie, a 19-year-old TikToker, knew something was up. His dad asked whether Eddie was at home and if everything was all right. "That was a really weird way for him to start off the call," Eddie told me.After Eddie said he was safe at home, his father asked whether he had been in a car accident. Eddie was baffled — not only had he not been in a wreck, but he hadn't driven in six months. His father was relieved, but Eddie was confused: Why did he think he had been in a car accident?His dad explained that someone had called his house phone from a foreign number. When Eddie's grandfather picked up, it sounded like Eddie on the phone. This "Eddie" said he had been in a car accident and needed money immediately. Fortunately for Eddie's family, his father was immediately suspicious of the call. When his father found Eddie's grandfather on the phone and heard about the incident, he called Eddie to verify the story. He knew it was out of character for Eddie to ask for money — plus, Eddie didn't even have a car in Chicago. His dad's call to Eddie confirmed that it hadn't been Eddie on the phone. In truth, his family had been the target of a terrifying new scam: The fraudsters used an artificial rendering of Eddie's voice to try and bilk his loved ones out of cash.Impersonating someone to steal money is nothing new. Known as impostor scams, these schemes are the most common type of scam in the US, according to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/02/new-ftc-data-show-consumers-reported-losing-nearly-88-billion-scams-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Federal Trade Commission</a>. People reported losing $2.6 billion to imposter scams in 2022, an increase from $2.4 billion the year before. But new technology is making imposter scams even more pernicious. In March, the FTC said tricksters were starting to use artificial intelligence to supercharge "family-emergency" schemes in which scammers convince people that their family member is in distress so they can get cash or private information. In an April <a href="https://www.mcafee.com/content/dam/consumer/en-us/resources/cybersecurity/artificial-intelligence/rp-beware-the-artificial-impostor-report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">survey</a> of adults in seven countries conducted by the global security-software company McAfee, one-quarter of respondents reported experience with some kind of AI voice scam — one in 10 said they had been targeted personally, while 15% said it happened to someone they knew.With just a small fee, a few minutes, and an internet connection, bad actors can weaponize AI for their personal gain. The <a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mcafee.com%2Fcontent%2Fdam%2Fconsumer%2Fen-us%2Fresources%2Fcybersecurity%2Fartificial-intelligence%2Frp-beware-the-artificial-impostor-report.pdf&amp;esheet=53390925&amp;newsitemid=20230501005587&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=The+Artificial+Imposter&amp;index=1&amp;md5=de5e528bc81bd101acb39311ecae12ad" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> from McAfee found that, in some cases, all a scammer needed was three seconds of audio to clone a person's voice. And with social media, it's easy to find a snippet of someone's voice that can then be weaponized. While Eddie and his family were able to avoid the scam, many victims of these AI-enabled con artists aren't as lucky. And as AI technology goes mainstream, these scams will only get more sophisticated.<h2>Supercharged scams</h2>Imposter scams come in many forms but typically work the same way: A scammer pretends to be someone you trust to persuade you to send them money. According to the <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/imposter-scams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FTC website</a>, there are cases of imposter scammers posing as love interests, IRS officials, caregivers, computer technicians, and family members. Most scams occur over the phone, but they can also take place on social media, over text, or by email. In one traumatic <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/virtual-kidnappers-scamming-terrified-parents-out-of-millions-fbi-2022-3">case</a>, Richard Mendelstein, a software engineer at Google, received a call from what sounded like his daughter Stella screaming for help. He was instructed to withdraw $4,000 in cash as a ransom payment. It was only after he had sent the money to a money-wiring center in Mexico City that he realized he had been scammed and his daughter had been safe at school the whole time. Previous iterations of virtual kidnapping scams, like the one Mendelstein's family fell victim to, used generic voice productions that vaguely lined up with the age and gender of the child. The scammers banked on parents panicking at the sound of a terrified young person — even if the voice didn't really match their kid's. But with AI, the voice on the other end of the phone can now sound eerily like the real deal. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/03/05/ai-voice-scam/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Washington Post</a> reported in March that a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/couple-canada-reportedly-lost-21000-in-ai-generated-voice-scam-2023-3">Canadian couple were scammed out of $21,000</a> after hearing an AI-generated voice that sounded like their son. In another case from this year, scammers <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-scam-voice-clone-fake-kidnap-call-mother-money-ransom-2023-4">cloned the voice</a> of a 15-year-old girl and posed as kidnappers to try to get a $1 million ransom. As an online creator with over 100,000 TikTok followers, Eddie knew that fake accounts imitating him would inevitably pop up. The day before the scam call, a fake account of Eddie had appeared on Instagram and started messaging his family and friends. AI is taking the schemes to the next level. "Taking my pictures and uploading posts on Instagram is one thing," Eddie told me. "But trying to clone my voice is really freaky to think about, and it scared me." Eddie called the rest of his family to warn them about the scam and made a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@eddiecumberbatch/video/7220883549862350123?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok video</a> about his experience to raise awareness.Most of us likely think we would recognize our loved one's voices in a heartbeat. But McAfee found about 70% of adults surveyed lacked confidence in distinguishing between cloned and real voices. A <a href="https://www.ndss-symposium.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ndss2019_08-3_Neupane_paper.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2019 study</a> found that the brain didn't register a significant difference between real and computer-generated voices. The subjects in the study incorrectly identified morphed (software-altered) recordings as real 58% of the time, leaving plenty of room for scammers to take advantage. Plus, more people are making their real voice available to scammers: McAfee said 53% of adults shared their voice data online weekly.Whether it's a kidnapping, a robbery, a car accident, or simply being stuck somewhere with no money to get home, 45% of McAfee survey respondents said they would reply to a voicemail or voice note that sounded like their friend or loved one, especially if it appeared to come from their partner, parent, or child. McAfee also found that over one-third of victims lost more than $1,000 in AI scams, with 7% losing more than $5,000. The <a href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/FraudReports/SubcategoriesOverTime" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FTC</a> reported that victims of imposter scams lost an average of $748 in the first quarter of 2023.<h2>Faking voices</h2>While the AI technology that makes these scams possible has been around for a while, it has increasingly gotten better, cheaper, and more accessible. "One of the things that's most important to recognize with the advances in AI this year is it's largely about bringing these technologies into reach of many more people, including really enabling the scale within the cyberactor community," McAfee's chief technology officer, Steve Grobman, said. "Cybercriminals are able to use generative AI for fake voices and deepfakes in ways that used to require a lot more sophistication."He added that cybercriminals were similar to businesspeople — they look for the most efficient ways to make money. "In the past, these imposter scams were highly lucrative because when they paid off, they would often pay off with pretty substantial sums of money," Grobman said. "But if instead of having to take somebody along for three months on a romance scam to get $10,000, they can do a fake audio scam that executes in 10 minutes and get the same result. That's going to be far more lucrative."Previous phone-call imposter scams relied on a scammer's acting skills or a level of gullibility on the victim's end, but now AI does most of the legwork. Popular AI audio platforms such as Murf, Resemble, and ElevenLabs allow users to create realistic voices using text-to-speech tech. The low barrier to entry for these programs — most providers offer free trials, and these tools don't require a computing degree to figure out — make them attractive to scammers. The scammer uploads an audio file of someone's voice to one of these sites, and the site builds an AI model of the voice. With a small clip of audio, scammers can produce a 95% voice match. Then, the scammer can just type out whatever they want, and the AI voice will speak what is typed in real time.Once they've perpetrated their crime, voice scammers are difficult to catch. Victims often have limited information for police to go off, and since voice scammers operate from all over the world, there's a host of logistical and jurisdictional challenges for law-enforcement agencies. With minimal information and limited police resources, most cases are left unresolved. <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/02/01/fraud-surges-prosecutions-slump-record-low/#:~:text=Just%20one%20in%201%2C000%20frauds,ONS)%20annual%20survey%20of%20crime" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In the UK</a>, just one in 1,000 fraud cases result in a charge.However, Grobman believes that if you are aware that the scams exist, you don't need to be particularly worried. All it takes if you get one of these calls is the ability to take a step back and ask a few questions that only the loved one on the other end of the phone would know the answer to. The <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/03/scammers-use-ai-enhance-their-family-emergency-schemes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FTC</a> has also recommended that if a loved one tells you they need money, put that call on hold and try calling your family member separately to verify the story — just as Eddie's father did. Even if a suspicious call comes from a family member's number, that, too, may be faked. Another telltale sign is if the caller asks for money through questionable channels that are hard to trace, such as wiring, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Security experts even recommend establishing a safe word with loved ones that can be used to distinguish between a genuine emergency and a scam.<h2>Risks of AI</h2>As AI becomes ubiquitous, these kinds of scams put our ability to trust even our closest family members at stake. Thankfully, the US government is attempting to get a hold on the deceptive ways AI can be used. Supreme Court <a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/21/supreme-court-online-content-section-230-gonzalez-arguments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Justice Neil Gorsuch</a> in February highlighted the limitations of legal protections that safeguard social networks from lawsuits when it comes to content generated by AI, meaning websites are largely shielded from liability for what third parties post. And <a href="https://www.macaubusiness.com/ai-companies-have-moral-responsibility-to-protect-users-w-house/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vice President Kamala Harris</a> in May told CEOs of leading tech companies that they had a "moral" responsibility to protect society from the dangers of AI. Similarly, the FTC <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2023/02/keep-your-ai-claims-check" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told companies</a> in February: "You need to know about the reasonably foreseeable risks and impact of your AI product before putting it on the market."Ally Armeson, the executive program director of Cybercrime Support Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping businesses and people combat cybercrime, agreed that some regulation was needed. "Generative AI is evolving very quickly," she told me. "Like any technology, generative AI can be misused or exploited for harmful purposes, so certainly regulation will be necessary as these generative-AI tools continue to develop."But while there are a number of AI cybersecurity solutions being rolled out, Armeson believes that at this point, the best anyone can do is keep their wits about them and keep the conversations going: "Until all consumers have access to these security solutions, the responsibility is on us as individuals to understand the new cyberthreat landscape and protect ourselves."<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/eve-upton-clark" rel="">Eve Upton-Clark</a> is a features writer covering culture and society.

The terrifying new AI scam

<keyword id="6355629" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="google" source="Orion">Google</keyword> will start deleting those personal accounts, which have been inactive for two years, from this week. The tech giant announced this policy in May, saying, the company will purge the content in inactive accounts within Google Workspace (<keyword id="51500" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="gmail" source="Orion">Gmail</keyword>, Docs, Drive, Meet, <keyword id="6434642" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="calendar" source="Orion">Calendar</keyword>), YouTube and <keyword id="1675717" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="google-photos" source="Orion">Google Photos</keyword>. Starting December 1, the company will begin deleting such accounts. "Google products reserve the right to delete your data when your account has not been used within that product for a 2-year period," the company said in its Inactive <keyword id="829302" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="google-account" source="Orion">Google Account</keyword> Policy. "December 1, 2023, is the earliest a Google Account will be deleted due to this policy," it added. This policy only applies to users' personal Google Account. The company said, "this policy doesn't apply to any Google Account that was set up for you through your work, school, or other organisation". Google when announced the policy, explained that if an account hasn't been used for an extended period of time, it is more likely to be compromised. "This is because forgotten or unattended accounts often rely on old or re-used passwords that may have been compromised, haven't had two-factor authentication set up, and receive fewer security checks by the user," it added. In August, the tech giant sent emails to its billions of users, saying the company updating the inactivity period for a Google Account to two years across all its products and services. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/car-and-suv-prices-set-to-rise-in-january-2024-should-you-buy-one-in-december/articleshow/105556415.cms">Car prices set to rise in January – Should you buy one in December?</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/66-year-old-loses-1-52-crore-in-courier-scam-what-it-is-and-how-to-protect-yourself/articleshow/105440830.cms">Courier scam makes 66-year-old poorer by ₹1.52 crore – Here’s how you can protect yourself</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/indias-pc-market-surges-to-4-5-million-devices-in-q3-2023/articleshow/105285251.cms">India’s PC market shipments surge in Q3 amidst import restrictions talks</a>

Google to start deleting personal accounts inactive for 2 years this week

<ul><li><keyword id="17824030" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="WhatsApp-Pink" source="Denny">WhatsApp Pink</keyword> is a fake app that steals data from your phone.</li><li>Don't click on links in messages that promise a WhatsApp Pink update.</li><li>Stick to official sources, like the Google Play Store, when downloading apps.</li></ul>The <keyword id="17824034" type="General" weightage="60" keywordseo="WhatsApp-Pink-scam" source="Denny">WhatsApp Pink scam</keyword> is rapidly spreading, posing a significant threat to users. But, what exactly is the <keyword id="17824031" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="scam" source="Denny">scam</keyword> all about and how can you protect yourself from it? We explain. Numerous individuals are receiving messages that promise an update called 'WhatsApp Pink.' Essentially, this is a counterfeit version of the popular messaging app that claims to offer enhanced features. These viral messages entice WhatsApp users to click on a link that’s provided and download the associated app. This, unfortunately, grants the scamsters access to the phone’s data, allowing them to steal it. The stolen data may include sensitive information such as bank details, contact numbers and photos, and it can also lead to spam attacks. <div type="twitter" handle="north_mum" handlename="north_mum" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1669651965733900288"></div> The surge in such spam messages has prompted the Mumbai Police to issue an advisory, warning people about this scam. To simplify the situation for the public, the Mumbai Police explained that the scammers first send a fake link disguised as an official update to the user. Once the user clicks on this link, it can result in the installation of malicious software on the user’s phone. Subsequently, the infected phone can be exploited to infect other phones belonging to the user's contacts through WhatsApp. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Here’s how to protect your device from WhatsApp Pink scams" comment="subhead" text="Here’s how to protect your device from WhatsApp Pink scams">Here’s how to protect your device from WhatsApp Pink scams</cmsannotation> Stick to official sources: When downloading and installing WhatsApp or any app, opt for trusted platforms like Google Play Store. iPhone users are already protected, as Apple restricts installations from unknown sources. Avoid unknown websites and APKs: Refrain from downloading applications from unfamiliar websites or from APK files shared by unknown individuals. Verify forwarded messages: Check for the "Forwarded" label on WhatsApp messages to determine if they were originally sent by a friend or from an unknown source. Exercise caution with messages from unfamiliar contacts. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/if-you-are-a-google-one-subscriber-you-can-now-access-portrait-blur-colour-pop-and-more-advanced-editing-tools-on-photos-web/articleshow/101009287.cms">If you are a Google One subscriber, you can now access Portrait Blur, Colour Pop and more advanced editing tools on Photos web</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/google-bard-cool-things-you-can-do-with-the-ai-chatbot/articleshow/101012445.cms">Google Bard: Cool things you can do with the AI chatbot</a>

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