As autumn approaches hackers and scammers continue to  slither in cyberspace  concocting unlikely tales  and promising riches fit for kings and queens.  Hiding behind masks  of anonymity they embed  malware and viruses inside seemingly harmless posts and unsuspecting users become entangled in complex webs of deceit by pushing a single button.

Here’s  a few tips on how to avoid scary clicks and cheats:

If shopping online for costumes and holiday gear, be sure the URL is spelled correctly and look for HTTPS (not HTTP) and a padlock icon in the address bar before entering payment info. The “S” (secure) combined with the padlock  indicates your information is safe.

When visiting Facebook do not click on any links that promise a chance to win a new iPhone 6, a dream vacation,  a new car etc.  Clicking on phony links redirects your personal information to hackers intent on using it for their own personal gain.

Never give out personal information on social media and ignore any  emails or requests that demand your account information and/or password info. Your money will vanish and so will the cons. Report any issues to actual vendors when applicable and check your bills regularly for any unauthorized charges.

New scams and variations of old ones creep up this time of year  like goblins on Halloween. Make-believe is fun but  threats to your security are real. Be safe and don’t let your click become a treat for the greedy monsters hiding in their invisible worlds.