One step ahead – protect yourself against cyber attacks

Unfortunately, October and November are the months when digital crime is at its peak. Incredible offers from countless providers can often make users drop their guard. One click on the wrong link and disaster strikes; you’ve just made the scammers’ day. We’ll show you what to look out for and how you can protect yourself from cyber criminals.  

Insightful statistics: How big is the risk? 

• One in seven adults in Switzerland has already fallen victim to cyber fraud. A third of those affected lost more than CHF 1,000 in the process. 

• Most fraud occurs in what are known as «fake shops». These are fake online shops that have been created solely for fraudulent purposes. They account for 38% of all crimes, followed by phishing with 33%. Phishing is the theft of personal data, e.g., using fake emails. 

• Surprisingly, young people are affected more than older people. This is because younger people are more likely to shop on the Internet and are therefore more exposed. 

The number of people actually affected is probably even higher as only a minority of people who are scammed will ever actually report it. Even among people who’ve been defrauded of more than CHF 1,000, less than half (46%) reported the incident to the police. 

Black Friday and Cyber Monday: the top scams and how to protect yourself 

The range of different types of fraud in the digital space is vast, and it’s becoming ever more sophisticated and professional. We’ll delve into the top cases here and tell you how you can protect yourself from them.

• Deepfake scam: AI-generated voices and videos can now imitate real friends or company representatives. They usually ask you for money.  
  
  --> Check these kinds of requests by contacting the «friend» or the company mentioned in a different way. Don’t give the caller any of your personal details and never install software provided by callers or based on email requests – even if these may appear legitimate at first glance. 
  
  

• SMS, WhatsApp and text fraud (smishing): Texts containing links and feigned urgency, such as «Only 1 unit left!» or «This offer will end in 5 minutes», may be fake. Never click on a link in SMS, WhatsApp messages or emails of this nature.  
  
  --> Take your time to check because honest providers won’t put pressure on you. Look for the offer manually on the official website.  
  
  

• Fake online stores: Great websites with incredible offers can attract buyers, without the goods ever being delivered to you – in 2024, these scam sites nearly tripled during the October/November sales season.  
  
  --> Be careful with any private sales on well-known marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Tutti or similar sites. If possible, always stick to trustworthy retailers – research the provider, check their contact details and their ratings before you buy anything. Also always check the displayed Internet address, the so-called URL. If something seems suspicious to you, test it using a tool from reputable security companies, such as the Online Shopping Checker from our partner F-Secure: https://www.f-secure.com/en/online-shopping-checker   
  
  

• Fake checkout pages: Scammers collect credit card details using convincing fake payment pages – even using HTTPS (secured, certified websites) and padlock icons in the browser.  
  
  Fraudsters often use URLs that look very similar to the original URL visually – but they replace certain characters. Examples include a 0 (zero) instead of the letter O, or an l (L) instead of an i. Separation points in the middle of a word are also common. Be extra careful before you sign up with an account or make a payment on such websites. 
  
  

  --> Use security tools that check the reputation of websites in real time, such as our Sunrise Protect app. This shows you directly in your browser whether the website you’re visiting is secure or the security certificate is just being faked. This protection for surfing in your browser is available for all devices, including Android, iOS, Mac and Windows. 
  
  

• Malicious tracking apps: Never download tracking apps from messages or links. 

...and also 

• Use strong and secure passwords, preferably managed with a password manager. Always create a separate password for each shop or account. Never use the same password for different accounts. 

• A simple step to stop hackers – if available – is always to activate two-factor authentication (2FA) for your shopping accounts. It’s best to use well-known authenticator apps like Google Authenticator or Proton Authenticator. If this option isn’t available, a 2FA code can also often be provided via email or SMS. 

How and with which products does Sunrise protect you?  

To protect you from digital and cyber attacks, we’ve got a range of offers ready for you. While Sunrise Protect detects threats early on and protects your digital identity and your devices proactively from attacks, Sunrise cyber insurance comes into its own when (unfortunately) something has already happened.  

Sunrise website: Security Tips | Sunrise