Spyware
2bsoftware - Phishing For Your Identity
Have you ever received
an email directing you to visit a familiar website where you're being
asked to update your personal information? The website needs you to
verify or update your passwords, credit card numbers, social security
number, or even your bank account number. You recognize the business
name as one that you’ve conducted business with in the past. So, you
click on the convenient “take me there” link and proceed to provide all
the information they have requested. Unfortunately, you find out much
later that the website is bogus. It was created with the sole intent to
steal your personal information. You, my friend, have just been “phished”.
Phishing (pronounced
as “fishing”) is defined as the act of sending an email to a recipient
falsely claiming to have an established, legitimate business. The intent
of the phisher is to scam the recipient into surrendering their private
information, and ultimately steal your identity.
It is not at easy as
you think to spot an email phishing for information. At first glance,
the email may look like it is from a legitimate company. The "From" field
of the e-mail may have the .com address of the company mentioned in the
e-mail. The clickable link even appears to take you to the company's
website, when in fact, it is a fake website built to replicate the
legitimate site.
Many of these people are professional criminals. They have spent a
lot of time in creating emails that look authentic. Users need to review
all emails requesting personal information carefully. When reviewing
your email remember that the "From Field" can be easily changed by the
sender. While it may look like it is coming from a .com you do business
with, looks can be deceiving. Also keep in mind that the phisher will go
all out in trying to make their email look as legitimate as possible.
They will even copy logos or images from the official site to use in
their emails. Finally, they like to include a clickable link that the
recipient can follow to conveniently update their information.
A great way to check the legitimacy of the link is to point at the
link with your mouse. Then, look in the bottom left hand screen of your
computer. The actual website address to which you are being directed
will show up for you to view. It is a very quick and easy way to check
if you are being directed to a legitimate site.
Finally, follow the
golden rule. Never, ever, click the links within the text of the e-mail,
and always delete the e-mail immediately. Once you have deleted the
e-mail, empty the trash box in your e-mail accounts as well. If you are
truly concerned that you are missing an important notice regarding one of
your accounts, then type the full URL address of the website into your
browser. At least then you can be confident that you are, in fact, being
directed to the true and legitimate website.
Related links:
What are
Intrusion Detection Systems?
ZoneAlarm Internet
Security Suite 6
A
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