Cybercrime is becoming more and more serious, and many people fall victims to it without even realising they’re giving their infos away. Norton Cybersecurity Insights Report told media there are a number of common scams that people fall victim to, including fake websites that are often almost identical to that of legitimate online retailers. Users who click to be directed to these sites from their email are are then infected with malware. This malware can gain access to private computer systems or information.

So-called offer alerts that offer massive discounts on products are also popular. These make users click on a link to avail a non-existent offer.

Another example is the ‘click and receive’ scam where users receive an email informing them they’ve received an unexpected package from a seller or a courier company. In order to claim their package, they are asked to fill out a form that includes personal information.

In an interview with Khaleej Times, Tamim Taufiq, Norton’s Territory Manager for the Middle East said that there are simple steps that users can take to avoid falling victim to such online scams.

“When it comes to protecting yourself against cybercrime, knowledge is power,” he said. “There are a number of ways consumers can protect themselves including using unique and strong passwords across different accounts, not clicking on links from purported companies or financial institutions and instead logging onto to the company website directly, and being wary of too-good-to-be-true offers.

“By doing so, you put yourself one step ahead of criminals looking to exploit you.”