Roses are Red, Violets are Blue… how to make sure no one is taking advantage of you(online)
As Valentine’s Day approaches, we thought it would be interesting to explore what happens when the holiday- which is deemed as the ‘day of love’- isn’t all red roses and heart-shaped chocolates.
Often no longer associated with Saint Valentine, V-day is now seen as a huge (as well as simplistic) marketer’s dream. Red roses, hearts and teddy bears come in their abundance at this time of year, but unfortunately so do cybersecurity threats. Searching for the perfect gift for your significant other online can encourage phishing emails from those who target online shoppers, as well as online daters. There is also the risk whilst customers focus on picking up that last minute gift that malware advertising will move in mimicking legitimate websites and dating sites, which we already know can occur due to lack of virus and security protection if the correct actions are not proactively taken by customers. With the dangers that this malware presents from trojans that download other malware, trojans that aim to obtain banking information, to others that send expensive text messages, it is easy to see why daters might get excited at the sound of a notification bell, only to be disappointed with what they find. There are many ways in which users can protect themselves however. Other than the traditional advice of using strong passwords and checking for spelling and language mistakes, it is also advised that dating app users get themselves acquitted with the privacy controls on their chosen platform, as well as installing the latest software and virus protection tool to give yourself the best possible chance of finding someone to share your Valentine’s with, rather than at home with the company of Karen from your bank on the phone.
For many, Valentine’s Day is seen as a time to celebrate and declare love, however for many others it can be an isolating and depressing time. So what’s the cure for when not just the violets that are blue? Well for many, online dating or social media hookups are the way to cure their broken hearts, however this presents its own set of problems. We are not saying that everyone on dating apps on Valentine’s Day is as bad as the Tinder Swindler, many people have found long-lasting, loving relationships on dating sites, but there are cases where people have been led down a path of rose petals, only to find someone at the end who does not have their best interests at heart but instead their own financial or sexual gain.
Romance scams are another way in which victims have been targeted through dating sites, chat rooms and other social media platforms and like the other scams mentioned above can result in not only heartbreak and embarrassment but also financial loss. Gaining trust during a vulnerable time is the way in which many fraudsters operate, ensuring that a relationship is built before issuing anecdotes such as a sick relative, emergency medical treatment or a sudden loss of job to entice their victims to give away their hard earned cash because they believe that they are helping someone that means a lot to them.
Unfortunately, many who have become victims of romance scams or catfishing do not report being taken advantage of mainly due to embarrassment, however it is imperative to report online scams to the platform, as well as the relevant authorities to ensure that the correct action is taken, and also helping others who may also victim to such online scams.
Although it can be tempting to share nudes as the best of times when talking to someone new, Valentine’s Day, and the lead up to it can increase the pressure of trying to banish your single status- the main reason why dating sites see an influx of new customers at the start of the new year. Sextortion and revenge porn incidencies however don’t just stop when love is in the air, they are prime examples of when heart-eyes can cloud people’s judgement- leading to the extortion of particularly those who are most vulnerable. Technology like ours is trying to eliminate the possibility of harmful behaviour such as revenge porn, as well as future legislation creation within the Online Safety Bill which is currently in draft format and is in the continuous process of being reviewed before it is passed by the UK government.
