What is Phishing?

Phishing. It’s not the sport of pulling finned creatures out of water, nor it is the name of the rock band’s latest tour. Instead, it’s a way to lure computer users into providing sensitive information for the purpose of identify theft through online and email scams. Some scams are easy to spot, but some look like legitimate emails from trusted friends.

Recently I received an email that was from a neighbor who said her wallet and passport were stolen while traveling and she needed money in order to get home. My first instinct was to email her to see how I could help, and then I realized that her email had been hacked. How did I know? I had just seen her while walking my dog and knew there was no way she had traveled to an international destination in the two hour span since I saw her. Possible if she were able to beam herself there but not likely!

Hackers had infiltrated her email sent the message to her entire contact list, including all of the listservs she was on, hoping that someone would be fooled into wiring money or providing credit card or bank information as a way to help.

According to Microsoft’s Online Privacy & Safety site, phishing emails often ask for personal data or direct you to websites or phone numbers to call where you will be asked for personal information. They can appear to come from friends, banks, include logos to trusted institutions, and links to seemingly real websites and can contain pleas for help, claim that you’ve won a grand prize, or ask you to verify account information.

Recognizing phishing scams is the first step to prevention, but if you accidentally clicked on a link, logo, or URL, be sure to run the free ChicaPC-Shield™ to delete any spyware that may have installed itself on your machine.

After all, the only type of phishing that doesn’t put you at risk for identity theft is the kind that begins with an “F” and involves time in serene setting by water.

–Leticia Barr, Kewl Kontent Kreator