Warning: Sponsored Content
Abraham Lincoln famously once said “You cannot believe everything you see on the internet!”. At least, that’s what I read on the internet.
While humorous, this is also a cautionary tale.
We hear it every day, beware of things that may not be true. With AI’s recent impact and phishing links, there is a lot out there to be weary of. Also, near the top of this list is ‘SPONSORED CONTENT’.
Sponsored content links are everywhere — at the top of search results, inside news feeds, and woven seamlessly into social media posts. While most are legitimate ads, clicking on them without caution can be risky. Cybercriminals often use sponsored links to promote fake websites that closely mimic trusted brands, tricking users into entering passwords, credit card numbers, or personal information. Others may lead to pages that automatically download malware, spyware, or ransomware onto your device.
Because sponsored links are paid placements, their prominence can create a false sense of trust. Many users assume top results are the safest, when in reality they may simply belong to the highest bidder. These links can also redirect multiple times, making it harder to identify the destination. To stay safe, always double-check URLs, avoid clicking ads for sensitive actions like banking or account logins, and rely on bookmarked or manually typed web addresses whenever possible.
Cybercriminals aren’t just offshore faceless demons looking to steal your identity, they can also be companies. These operators will pose as HTC or another business to fraudulently scam you. This occurrence is something that we see at HTC more, and more often.
To ensure your safety, remember, the best way to reach us is through your ‘My Account’ app. Here you can open trouble tickets, click for live chat with agents or link to our support site. When calling us about your residential service, remember, we are local. Our support numbers are local, 843 area code. The only 800# we use for residential service is 800-824-6779. Any other numbers should be avoided.
The internet is amazing. It is an incredible tool, but like everything else in life, we just need to exercise some caution.
‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’. Benjamin Franklin has been quoted as saying that. Seriously, you can look it up on the internet.
