What is Phishing?

Phishing is a relatively new term, used to describe theyou there through his fake bank email. You, under
act of trying to get private information from athe impression that you are responding to your bank,
person. This is usually done through the use oftype in your account numbers and password - and
computers, but sometimes via telephone. Thebang! The phisher has your details. He can now log on
information gained is then used to commit crimes -and empty your bank account.
such as emptying your bank account.Another trick is where the phishers sends an email
Why the term "phishing?" The word "phishing" is reallywhich instructs the receiver to call a toll-free number
a play on words. In English, the letters "PH" arein order to sort out something with his account (such
pronounced the same as the letter "F." So "phishing"as a billing or a payment). This toll-free number will be
is pronounced in the same was as "fishing." One ofset up to sound just like the service line of one's
the dictionary definitions of fishing is "to seekbank, with an automated voice response directing
something by roundabout means." Since phishing is anone to dial in one's account number and pin code.
action where one tries to get your personalOnce the phishers has these numbers, he can of
information through the use of covert tricks andcourse use them to get into your account and
deceit, it appropriately describes this criminal activity.transfer all of your money somewhere else.
How is Phishing Done?As you can see, quite some work goes into
Phishing is accomplished through the use of tricks ordeceiving people in order to get their personal details.
schemes to gain your trust so that you will give outOne is not dealing with a practical joke, when faced
your personal information. Your natural response towith phishing.
this statement is, of course, "yeah but I am not soWhile the above is just one example, and there are
easily fooled." And of course you aren't. This is whymany, there are many more ways a in which a
phishers use a technique called "social engineering".phisher goes about gaining personal information, credit
"Social engineering" is a euphemism (a nice way ofcard numbers, bank accounts, Paypal account
saying something) to refer to the use of confidencenumbers, etc. The key strategy he or she uses is to
tricks or the dishonest manipulation of people. Thepretend to be a person or a company that you trust,
manipulator uses all sorts of tricks in order to gainand to use lies which trick you into giving out
your trust, or to appear to be someone else whoinformation.
you already trust.How Does One Deal With Phishing?
For example, you trust your bank, right? OtherwiseUnfortunately, there is no anti-phishing program that
you would not use it to take care of your money.works like a antivirus program or Internet security
Well, if you get an email from your bank to verifyprogram, although an Internet security program will
your account information, or a request for you to logdefinitely make it harder for a phisher to hack into
in order to verify the payment of a bill, you wouldyour computer directly and steal personal information.
most likely answer them.The only real protection against phishing is your own
Good, this is exactly what a phisher relies on. He willalertness on the subject. If you are aware that it
send you a fake email that looks identical to an emailexists and occurs, you will be more likely to spot it, if
from your bank. He might even set up a fake weband when it occurs.
page that looks like your bank's web page, and send