You’re familiar with the cybercriminals that go after users’ credit card information and look to spread malicious links, but recently, one hacker decided to send a different message. According to Vice’s Motherboard, a hacker accessed TOMS Shoes’ mailing list and sent an email encouraging users to log off and go enjoy the outdoors.
The email specifically stated, “hey you, don’t look at a digital screen all day, theres a world out there that you’re missing out on.” The hacker claimed to have compromised TOMS a while back but never had any malicious intent and felt it had been too long to disclose the breach to the authorities. Although the hacker didn’t tell Motherboard how he or she specifically gained access to the TOMS account, they did voice their frustrations with hackers who steal data from large companies and innocent civilians.
Representatives from TOMS stated that they are actively looking into the breach and warned users to not interact with the message. And while this particular hacker had no malicious intent, users could have a potential phishing scam on their hands if these email addresses had ended up in the wrong hands.
So, whether you’re a TOMS shoe wearer or not, it’s important to stay updated on potential cyberthreats so you can recognize immediately. Here are some tips to help you avoid accidentally treading on potential phishing emails:
- Go directly to the source. Be skeptical of emails claiming to be from companies with peculiar asks or messages. Instead of clicking on a link within the email, it’s best to go straight to the company’s website to check the status of your account or contact customer service.
- Be cautious of emails asking you to take action. If you receive an email asking you to take a certain action or download software, don’t click on anything within the message. Instead, go straight to the organization’s website. This will prevent you from downloading malicious content from phishing links.
- Hover over links to see and verify the URL. If someone sends you an email with a link, hover over the link without actually clicking on it. This will allow you to see a link preview. If the URL looks suspicious, don’t interact with it and delete the email altogether.
And, as always, to stay on top of the latest consumer and mobile security threats, be sure to follow @McAfee_Home on Twitter, listen to our podcast Hackable? and ‘Like’ us on Facebook.
The post Watch Your Step: Insights on the TOMS Shoes Mailing Hack appeared first on McAfee Blogs.
Article Link: https://securingtomorrow.mcafee.com/consumer/consumer-threat-notices/toms-shoes-hack/