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As various cyber threats targeting minors, such as deepfakes, cam-scamming, and account theft, are expected to continue during the Chuseok holiday, AhnLab has announced essential "Chuseok Security Tips" for children and teenagers to ensure a safe holiday.

The key points of AhnLab’s security tips for the holiday include:

• Avoid clicking on URLs from unknown senders in text messages, emails, DMs, or mobile messengers.
• Only use official channels to access content.
• Avoid sharing or posting personal information online.
• Block unfamiliar people who approach online.

AhnLab’s Cybersecurity Center Director, Park Tae-hwan, emphasized, “During the holiday, children and teenagers will spend a lot of time on smart devices, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Teenagers are particularly susceptible to temptations that promise financial rewards or personal meetings, so they must follow these security guidelines carefully.”

1. Do Not Click on URLs in Texts, Emails, DMs, or Mobile Messengers from Unknown SendersDuring last year's Lunar New Year holiday, phishing messages claiming to offer New Year's money through a fake internet bank spread widely. This Chuseok, similar attacks may use keywords like ‘Chuseok gifts’, ‘pocket money’, ‘cash’, or ‘gift certificates’ to lure minors. These attacks usually involve clicking a URL in the message, leading to a fake website posing as a legitimate one, which then asks for personal information or demands money under the guise of a fee.

To prevent such attacks, do not click on URLs in messages from unknown sources. Even if the URL is from a well-known company, verify the sender by checking the phone number or email address online.

2. Only Use Official Channels to Access ContentDuring the holiday, many teenagers may resort to illegal methods to access paid content like games, movies, or webtoons. Attackers often upload malware disguised as popular content to file-sharing sites, tricking users into downloading it. Malware disguised as cracked versions of games, movies, comics, and software can frequently be found on webhards or torrent sites.

Teens should discuss with their parents and only download content from official sources with clear origins. This also applies to mobile app downloads, as even official app stores sometimes contain malicious apps, so users should always check reviews carefully before downloading.

3. Do Not Share or Expose Personal Information OnlineDuring the holiday, when many travel or take vacations, posting excessive personal information or photos online can be risky. Attackers often target teens who like to share their daily lives on social media platforms, collecting personal details for phishing, account theft, or creating fake explicit content.

Teens should be mindful that personal details, such as their name, birthday, age, address, school, or even their messenger ID, are sensitive and should not be exposed or shared carelessly online.

4. Block Unfamiliar People Approaching OnlineVarious forms of online grooming, romance scams (where people exploit relationships for financial gain), and cam-scamming (where attackers manipulate victims into performing explicit acts) continue to be found on social media platforms targeting teens. Recently, cam-scamming has evolved, with attackers using threats to share explicit videos with the victim’s social media friends, making it easier for victims to fall for the scam without needing to install malicious apps.

Teenagers often view online contacts as acquaintances, but they should exercise extra caution when interacting with unfamiliar individuals online. It’s essential to block anyone who makes inappropriate contact or requests.