In todays world the Internet is becoming as common as sliced bread. Most people use it to send e-mails, browse for information, carry out banking transactions, and shop. So it shouldnt be a surprise that some people are embracing the technology for less-than-kosher purposes. Phishing scams in particular are a major concern. Luckily, if you want to avoid becoming the next victim of identity theft, there are ways to protect yourself from harm.
What exactly is phishing (pronounced fishing)? Phishers use e-mail, brand hijacking, and scare tactics to catch uninformed people off guard and steal their private information. Usually these scammers operate by sending out a whole bunch of spam e-mails to a long list of recipients. Each message is made to look as if it comes from a trustworthy company, such as eBay or a big banking institution.
The second element of the e-mail involves an appeal to your emotions. To achieve this goal, the sender claims there is a problem or crisis that needs to be fixed as soon as possible. The e-mails use urgent, professional language, and request personal information. They may even direct you to a spoofed web page where you are asked to...