Be Careful, Five Dangerous Online Dating Threats on Valentine’s Day
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VIVA – The popularity of online dating continues to rise along with Valentine’s Day, which is celebrated on every February 14. This Valentine’s Day is also used by cybercriminals looking to exploit vulnerable individuals.
“The beauty of online dating is the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world, but with that comes the risk of cybercrime,” A privacy and security expert at Kaspersky, Anna Larkina stated.
Kaspersky highlights this dangerous thing and conveys five online dating threats on Valentine’s Day.
Dating App Phishing
Researchers report Valentine's Day scamming activity with online fraudsters extensively creating fake web pages identical to popular dating apps to trick individuals into providing sensitive information.
The result can be identity theft, financial fraud, and even extortion, all of which can damage relationships and lead to a loss of trust. Moreover, the stolen data can even be sold on dark web marketplaces.
Fake Apps
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Malicious software can attack devices through files that mimic online dating services. Over the past few months, Kaspersky experts have seen cybercriminals exploiting the names of the most popular dating apps such as Tinder, Badoo, Bumble, Grinder, and many others to spread malicious activity.
Most of the fake platforms distribute adware that bombards users with tons of notifications. There are also attacks with Trojan Spies, which monitor online activity, and Trojan downloaders that install other malicious programs onto the victim's computer.
Doxing
Doxing refers to the act of exposing and sharing someone's personal information publicly. This can be of particular concern in the context of online dating, where sensitive information can be used to harm or blackmail the individual.
This type of crime can result in physical harm, as well as psychological distress, such as anxiety and embarrassment, and negatively impact mental health and relationship.
Catfishing
Kaspersky's telemetry records numerous spam emails that use attractive profiles and fake identities to lure victims into providing personal information or engaging in online communications. These emails can spread malware, steal sensitive information, or scam victims for money.
It can also cause emotional distress and disappointment as victims may form an emotional connection with the fake identity before realizing that they have been scammed. It can also have a huge negative effect on mental health and well-being.
Stalkerware
Stalkerware is a type of software that can be secretly installed on a device to monitor a user's online activity and track their location. According to Kaspersky, 29,312 people worldwide were affected by stalker ware in 2022.
This invasion of privacy can lead to broken trust in relationships and emotional distress for the victim. It can even be dangerous for the victim's physical safety.
