| Who hasn't received an email directing them to visit a | | | | authentic. Users need to review all emails requesting |
| familiar website where they are being asked to | | | | personal information carefully. When reviewing your |
| update their personal information? The website needs | | | | email remember that the "From Field" can be easily |
| you to verify or update your passwords, credit card | | | | changed by the sender. While it may look like it is |
| numbers, social security number, or even your bank | | | | coming from a .com you do business with, looks can |
| account number. You recognize the business name as | | | | be deceiving. |
| one that you've conducted business with in the past. | | | | Also keep in mind that the phisher will go all out in |
| So, you click on the convenient take me there link | | | | trying to make their email look as legitimate as |
| and proceed to provide all the information they have | | | | possible. They will even copy logos or images from |
| requested. | | | | the official site to use in their emails. Finally, they like |
| Unfortunately, you find out much later that the | | | | to include a clickable link that the recipient can follow |
| website is bogus. It was created with the sole intent | | | | to conveniently update their information. |
| to steal your personal information. You, my friend, | | | | A great way to check the legitimacy of the link is to |
| have just been phished. | | | | point at the link with your mouse. Then, look in the |
| Phishing (pronounced as fishing) is defined as the act | | | | bottom left hand screen of your computer. The |
| of sending an email to a recipient falsely claiming to | | | | actual website address to which you are being |
| have an established, legitimate business. The intent of | | | | directed will show up for you to view. It is a very |
| the phisher is to scam the recipient into surrendering | | | | quick and easy way to check if you are being |
| their private information, and ultimately steal your | | | | directed to a legitimate site. |
| identity. | | | | Finally, follow the golden rule. Never, ever, click the |
| It is not at easy as you think to spot an email | | | | links within the text of the e-mail, and always delete |
| phishing for information. At first glance, the email may | | | | the e-mail immediately. Once you have deleted the |
| look like it is from a legitimate company. The "From" | | | | e-mail, empty the trash box in your e-mail accounts |
| field of the e-mail may have the .com address of the | | | | as well. If you are truly concerned that you are |
| company mentioned in the e-mail. The clickable link | | | | missing an important notice regarding one of your |
| even appears to take you to the company's website, | | | | accounts, then type the full URL address of the |
| when in fact, it is a fake website built to replicate the | | | | website into your browser. At least then you can be |
| legitimate site. | | | | confident that you are, in fact, being directed to the |
| Many of these people are professional criminals. They | | | | true and legitimate website. |
| have spent a lot of time in creating emails that look | | | | |