Phisher 2:
(fish´ing) (n.) The act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft. The e-mail directs the
user to visit a Web site where they are asked to update personal information, such as passwords and credit card, social security, and bank account numbers, that the legitimate organization already has. Phishing attacks use 'spoofed' e-mails and
fraudulent web sites designed to fool recipients into divulging personal financial data by hijacking well-known banks, online retailers and credit card companies, such as ebay or paypal.
Here are more ways to avoid being "Phished":
- When you receive a suspect e-mail call the company on the telephone, or log onto their web site directly by typing in the Web address in your browser
- Avoid filling out forms in e-mail messages that ask for personal financial information
- Only communicate information such as credit card numbers or account information via a secure web site (secure web site will have a picture of a closed padlock somewhere on the page) or the telephone
- Always ensure that you're using a secure web site when submitting credit card or other sensitive information via your Web browser. The beginning of the Web address in your browsers address bar should be "https://" rather than just "http://"
- Regularly log into your online accounts, check your bank, credit and debit card statements to ensure that all transactions are legitimate
- If anything is suspicious, contact your bank and all card issuers
Other Preventive Measures
1) Microsoft Internet users go to http://www.microsoft.com/security/ to download a special patch relating to certain phishing schemes
2) EarthLink ScamBlocker is part of a free browser toolbar that alerts you before you visit a page that's on Earthlink's list of known fraudulent phisher Web sites. download the tool bar at http://www.earthlink.net/earthlinktoolbar
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