Have you ever wondered what things you should never google?
Let's not go into too much detail but I'll assume that we've all let our curiosity get the better of us before.
Sometimes I'll just google my own name and see if there's anything new in my life that I was unaware of... there rarely is.
But it turns out there's a sinister part of the internet (shock) and an expert has revealed six things that we should never google in order to keep ourselves safe.
Ben Van Pelt, founder of cybersecurity company TorGuard, sat down with Indy100 to reveal all.
1) Easy Loans"Easy loans" might seem like a quick fix for financial woes, but according to Van Pelt, it's a red flag.
"Instead of turning to Google for financial aid, seek financial services from recognized banks and lenders," he advised.
Scammers can take advantage of those in need of money and promise easily accessible loans that require upfront fees.
But in reality, they'll run off with your money and you won't see a penny of the loan.
Ever found yourself desperately hunting for a customer service number on a website? Van Pelt warned against Googling it, as scammers often hijack search results with fake ads.
"They receive these calls, sometimes hundreds daily, and they convincingly mimic a technician," he cautioned.
3) Money-making schemesI'll own up here and admit to doing this one. When I was at university I googled easy money-making schemes because I'd run out of money... But who hadn't?
Money-making schemes may sound enticing, but they often turn out to be pyramid schemes or ploys to gather personal information.
"Avoid getting caught in pyramid schemes. For investment opportunities, always consult a reputable investment broker or financial advisor," Van Pelt said.
4) High-paying remote jobsWe all want lots of money, and being able to get that without leaving our house sounds like the dream, right?
Well, if something seems too good to be true, then it often is.
Van Pelt recommends sticking to reputable websites and agencies when job searching to stop scammers from getting hold of your personal information.
This one speaks for itself. Only trust reputable establishments to give you a credit report, because there is a lot of risk when inputting your personal information into an unknown website.
"Identity theft isn't a joke Jim, millions of families suffer every year!" (Dwight Schrute).
6) Tech supportScammers are pretty good at what they do, and will often set up fake tech support services in order to gain access to your device to install malware.
Be safe when surfing the web!
