April is here, and besides the burst of springtime flowers and occasional showers, there’s another cloud looming on the horizon for many: Tax Day. As we hustle and bustle to get our financial ducks in a row before April 15th, it’s important to remember that tax season is also open season for cyber threats.
Imagine this: you’re sitting at your computer, sipping your morning coffee, when an email pings into your inbox. It’s from the IRS! Or, at least, it seems to be. The logo looks right, and the language is pretty official. But hold on. Is the IRS really emailing you about a “tax refund error”? Spoiler: they’re not. This is a classic example of a phishing attempt.
Phishing, for those unfamiliar with the term (or perhaps more acquainted with the hobby involving a rod and reel), is when scam artists try to trick you into providing sensitive information. In the tech world, this typically happens over email, but it can also occur via phone calls or text messages.
In tax season, these scams skyrocket. The bait? Emails masquerading as official communications, promising refunds, or threatening audits. The objective? To get you to click on a malicious link or download an infected attachment.
But fear not, fellow taxpayers! Here’s how you can tread these treacherous waters safely:
- Don’t Trust, Always Verify: Remember, the IRS will never initiate contact with taxpayers via email about a tax bill, refund, or economic impact payment. If in doubt, don’t click on anything. Instead, go directly to the IRS website or contact them by phone.
- Use Secure Connections: If you’re working with digital tax documents, make sure your internet connection is secure. That quaint coffee shop with free Wi-Fi might be tempting, but unsecured networks can expose your data to prying eyes.
- Backup and Store Safely: Once you’ve filed your taxes, ensure you have digital copies stored safely. Using an encrypted USB drive or a secure cloud storage solution is a good idea.
- Embrace Multi-Factor Authentication: If your online tax platform offers it, enable multi-factor authentication. This adds an additional layer of security, requiring you to confirm your identity through two or more verification methods.
- Update Regularly: Ensure your computer, browser, and any tax software you use are up-to-date. Cybersecurity patches are released for a reason!
But let’s end on a lighter note. Yes, tax season can be stressful, both for our wallets and our digital peace of mind. However, think of it this way: while you’re safeguarding your finances from both the taxman and cyber scammers, you’re also gaining invaluable skills to protect your digital self year-round. It’s like spring cleaning for your cyber home!
And, if all else fails, just remember: only a few more weeks until you can put all this tax business behind you. Then it’s back to regular programming, like deciphering those cryptic error messages Windows loves to throw our way.
Fabella Security 