“Have you heard about Pegasus?” email scam involves scammers trying to exploit recipients’ curiosity or fear about Pegasus spyware to trick them into revealing personal information, downloading malware, or falling for other fraudulent schemes. Pegasus is a real and highly sophisticated piece of spyware developed by NSO Group, intended for use by governments to monitor potentially criminal or terrorist activity. However, its mention in unsolicited emails is almost always a scam attempt.

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Here are tips on how to avoid getting scammed by such emails:

1. **Do Not Open Suspicious Emails**: If you receive an email from an unknown sender with a subject line that’s trying to pique your curiosity with sensational topics like Pegasus, it’s best to avoid opening it. Even opening an email can sometimes be enough to signal to the sender that your email address is active.

2. **Never Click on Links or Attachments**: One of the main goals of such scams is to get you to click on links or download attachments that can infect your device with malware. If you receive an unsolicited email that encourages you to click on a link or download an attachment, even if it’s promising information on something as intriguing as Pegasus spyware, don’t do it.

3. **Look for Red Flags**: Poor grammar, odd formatting, and unfamiliar sending addresses are all red flags for phishing or scam emails. A legitimate communication from a reputable organization will not have these issues.

4. **Use Anti-virus and Anti-malware Software**: Keep your devices protected by using reliable anti-virus and anti-malware software. This software can often identify and quarantine malicious emails and content before they can cause harm.

5. **Keep Your Systems Updated**: Ensure that your operating system and all applications are up to date with the latest security patches. This reduces the risk of malware exploiting vulnerabilities in software to infect your device.

6. **Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Contacts**: If you receive an unsolicited email, text message, or even a phone call about something like Pegasus spyware, maintain a healthy level of skepticism. Legitimate organizations and government entities will not contact you in this manner to discuss such matters.

7. **Educate Yourself**: Being aware of current scams and the tactics they use can make you less vulnerable. Government websites and cybersecurity news platforms often provide updates on new phishing and scam trends.

8. **Use Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)**: For added security, enable MFA on all your accounts. This adds an extra layer of protection even if someone manages to obtain your passwords.

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Remember, curiosity can sometimes lead to security risks. Always approach unsolicited emails, especially those discussing sensational topics like spyware or scandals, with caution and protect your personal information by following best cybersecurity practices.