PC Security:
Phishing For Your Identity
by Ainuddin Mohamad
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...
Who hasn’t
received an email directing them to visit a familiar website
where they are being asked to update their 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.
About the Author
Ainuddin Mohamad is the Webmaster of
http://www.BestWebsites.com.my which is a Directory of Best Websites. Since
July 2000
BestWebsites.com.my has featured thousands of best websites in many
categories of interest with descriptions/reviews given by leading publications
and webmasters.
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