Phishing: examples and its prevention methods

Phishing is an attempt made to steal personal data like user names, passwords or credit card details using online methods, especially email, for  fraudulent purposes, otherwise known also as identity theft. The process is started by sending fake emails to you with a link to a trusted source, such as your bank. When you enter your personal data at log-in  you are then redirected to a fake website. from where the pishers get your personal information. Another method is the phisher sends out messages with a file attachment. When you download the document which contains a virus, your computer is affected and the virus will send your personal data to the phisher.

Click on this link: http://www.ebay.com. The link will redirect you to amazon. This is an example of phishing. Click here What is Phishing – eBay Phishing Examples

Examples:-

PHISHING EMAIL

 

MESSAGE FROM EBAY MEMBER

UPDATE CREDIT CARD INFORMATION

RE-ENTER ACCOUNT INFORMATION

BANK PHISHING

 

ACCOUNT VERIFICATION

 

To prevent phishing, we have to know how to detect it. There are several ways to detect phishing messages.

• Remember that legitimate businesses will not ask for personal information through email. If they do, that kind of email is probably a phishing email.
• If an email asks you to "update your information" or "confirm your user and password", this is also likely a phishing message.
• normally, phishing mail will not address you personally.
• The email states consequences that will occur if you do not verify your details.
• The message gives us wrong information, for example, the bank below is a building society.
• Usually there are spelling and grammatical errors in the messages. Click here Fraudulent e-mails, are you aware?

Methods to prevent phishing are as below:

• Always check who is sending the email
• If there are phone number and address provided, match it with the address and the contact information provided originally by your bank.
• Re-confirm with the bank whether they have sent any email to you.
• use a strong password which does not display your personal data
• Install updated antivirus and anti-spyware software
• Never give your persosnal information by email and if  the web address begin with "https" rather than "http", this provides an additional security.
• Don't reply to any of the emails or pop-up messages that are asking for your personal or financial information
• Don't click on any of the links given in the suspected messages.
• Check your credit card statements to make sure that there are no unauthorized charges in them.
• Forward any suspected phishing e-mail to spam@uce.gov, or to the company or bank, if applicable. Click here Ways You Can Help Protect Your Computer to Avoid Phishing
  

Reference(s): 

Bustathief.com. (2010). What is Phishing - eBay Phishing Examples. Retrieved Feb 7, 2011 from http://www.bustathief.com/what-is-phishing-ebay-phishing-examples/

Nationwide Building Society. Fraudulent e-mails, are you aware? Retrieved Feb 7, 2011 from http://www.nationwide.co.uk/security/further-information/phishing/Fraudulent-e-mails.htm 

Jake Ruston. (Apr 1, 2010). Ways You Can Help Protect Your Computer to Avoid Phishing. Retrieved Feb 7, 2011 from http://business.ezinemark.com/ways-you-can-help-protect-your-computer-to-avoid-phishing-4efbed7ab34.html