Phishing: What it is, and what you should do about it What is Phishing?

Phishing is the new term given to scams that use 'spoofed' e-mails, popups and websites designed to trick you into revealing your financial information such as bank account numbers, account usernames and passwords or PINs, credit card numbers, social security numbers, and so on. Phishing scams often mimic the exact appearance of trusted banks, online retailers and credit card companies.

Phishing scams have become one of the biggest threats to Internet users and are growing rapidly. According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG), these attacks increased by 180 percent between April and May 2004, demonstrating that more cyber-crooks are turning to this kind of bait to commit fraud online.

What do you look for? It is not difficult to create a web page or email that looks exactly like emails and webpages from your bank, eBay, your ISP, etc. – which is exactly what phishers do.

You’ll receive an email that looks like it’s from your ISP, for example, that says your ISP’s computer had some problems and they lost all of your personal data. It then asks you to go to a website and fill out that information. These emails also seem urgent at times. They may say that your account will be closed within 24 hours if they don’t get the info they ask for. If you fall for this, it can have very serious consequences. In Brazil, tens of millions of dollars were stolen from consumers before an arrest was made in October 2004.

What can you do about it? Do not reply or click the link in a message that looks suspect. These institutions and companies don’t ask for that kind of information online. They know it’s not safe. If you think it looks genuine, call the institution and verify it. Don’t call a number given in the email message, call one you have used before. If you want to give personal information to someone, like your bank account number, don’t send it through email. It’s not secure. If you sign up for or buy something on line and have to give personal information, make sure the site is secure. Ensure the url starts with https (the s stands for secure). Make sure you watch your credit card and bank statements so you can ensure all is okay. Be careful when opening email attachments. Make sure you know who it’s from. Last, but not least, use antivirus software and make sure it is updated frequently and automatically. Phishing emails can often contain viruses and other malicious software that cannot only endanger your documents and programs - but can also act in many ways to help cyber criminals steal your personal information.

Be careful out there. max clark
4:09:37 PM    

FROM PANDA, ( FREE VIRUS CHECK AT PANDA ) http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

Phishing: What it is, and what you should do about it What is Phishing?

Phishing is the new term given to scams that use 'spoofed' e-mails, popups and websites designed to trick you into revealing your financial information such as bank account numbers, account usernames and passwords or PINs, credit card numbers, social security numbers, and so on. Phishing scams often mimic the exact appearance of trusted banks, online retailers and credit card companies.

Phishing scams have become one of the biggest threats to Internet users and are growing rapidly. According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG), these attacks increased by 180 percent between April and May 2004, demonstrating that more cyber-crooks are turning to this kind of bait to commit fraud online.

What do you look for? It is not difficult to create a web page or email that looks exactly like emails and webpages from your bank, eBay, your ISP, etc. – which is exactly what phishers do.

You’ll receive an email that looks like it’s from your ISP, for example, that says your ISP’s computer had some problems and they lost all of your personal data. It then asks you to go to a website and fill out that information. These emails also seem urgent at times. They may say that your account will be closed within 24 hours if they don’t get the info they ask for. If you fall for this, it can have very serious consequences. In Brazil, tens of millions of dollars were stolen from consumers before an arrest was made in October 2004.

What can you do about it? Do not reply or click the link in a message that looks suspect. These institutions and companies don’t ask for that kind of information online. They know it’s not safe. If you think it looks genuine, call the institution and verify it. Don’t call a number given in the email message, call one you have used before. If you want to give personal information to someone, like your bank account number, don’t send it through email. It’s not secure. If you sign up for or buy something on line and have to give personal information, make sure the site is secure. Ensure the url starts with https (the s stands for secure). Make sure you watch your credit card and bank statements so you can ensure all is okay. Be careful when opening email attachments. Make sure you know who it’s from. Last, but not least, use antivirus software and make sure it is updated frequently and automatically. Phishing emails can often contain viruses and other malicious software that cannot only endanger your documents and programs - but can also act in many ways to help cyber criminals steal your personal information.

Be careful out there. max clark
4:09:35 PM