Scams are getting more advanced by the day—but so are the tools that can stop them. "As scams evolve and AI makes them harder to spot, we’re advancing our technology to stay ahead," says Dean Williams, Principal System Engineer, APAC at Norton. "But we can’t do it alone—stay alert, stay informed, and together we can outsmart the scammers."
What is social engineering?
It sounds technical but social engineering simply means tricking someone into handing over personal information. Instead of hacking your devices, scammers manipulate your emotions. It might be a fake message from your "bank", a text from a "friend" or a "delivery" that needs payment. These scams play on trust, fear or urgency—and they’re alarmingly effective.
321 attacks per second¹
86% of all attacks are social engineering scams¹
Know the signs
Scammers often use language that creates a sense of panic: "Your account has been locked," "You owe money," "Click this link now." They’ll pretend to be someone you trust, like a family member, colleague or even your internet provider. If something feels off, pause and check. And if you run a small business, ensure your team is aware of threats like invoice scams, fake domain renewals and fraudulent payment requests with training and the right protections.
Talk to your family
Young people are often active online but may not spot red flags and seniors can be targeted by scammers due to a belief they’re more susceptible. Chat with your kids about safe sharing on social media and help older family members recognise scams. One good rule for all ages: if you wouldn’t say it to a stranger, don’t post it or reply online.