Posted in Credit Cards, Finance, Fraud, Money, Phishing on May 7th, 2006
Yahoo has put up a comprehensive page, plus related articles, about the dangers of “phishing” attacks and how to counteract them:
“When it arrives in your inbox, a phishing email will have one aim in mind: to get you to divulge your bank or credit card details. This is usually as part of a so-called security check or review of your account details, where the sender will act as though you’re simply confirming what they already know. You’ll be asked to provide your details in one of two ways: either by including them in a reply to the email or by clicking on a link in the email that takes you to a website that’s been made to look like that of the institution in question. Here you’ll be asked to log in or simply enter your details in a form on the page, at which point your account details are saved and the criminals have all they need to pose as you at the real website of your bank and transfer your money out.”
Read the whole article.
Posted in Banks, Credit Cards, Finance, Fraud, Money, Phishing on May 2nd, 2006
Phishing attacks against online users of financial websites are on the increase. Many people are just not heeding the advice they are given. A survey in the UK found that nearly half of 16 to 24-year-olds don’t even know what “phishing” is.
Phishing is where online fraudsters “fish” for your financial details by sending fake emails purporting to come from banks and other institutions. They often lure unsuspecting recipients to false websites where they are asked to input their financial details and passwords.
The UK Daily Mail has published this advice on how to avoid such attacks:
* Avoid using an internet cafe or library for online banking. If you do, log off after use.
* If you are banking or shopping online, check that the seciruty icon — a locked padlock or unbroken key — is visible at the bottom of the screen. The internet address should begin with https, rather than http.
* Ensure that your browser: Firefox or Internet Explorer, for example, is set to a high level of security.
* Regularly check your bank statements online to see if any suspicious transactions have taken place. Report them immediately.
Two websites give more detailed information:
www.banksafeonline.org.uk
www.getsafeonline.org.uk
