Phishing attempts are made to perpetrate an "identity theft" on you or to gather all your personal Internet information like: e-Mail user names/Passwords, net-banking details, web browsing patterns, PC hard disk data, e.t.c., Once obtained, this is either used to defraud the individual or (worse) SOLD to other scamsters for multiple frauds.

Office Networks are more or less protected with the help of anti Phishing & anti spy software, Browser "monitors", "down load regulators" amongst other stuff. But, Internet users from home or from Internet cafes, face a serious threat, if proper precautions are not taken.

Precautions

The obvious one Start using an anti fraud pack. (The numbers of people who do not have it would surprise you!) Basic pack would do. Free anti spy sofwares are available for download. Even Google offers one. Please check for user comments before any download.

Do not use a pirated version Fraudsters are smart! Make no mistake about it. As soon as a Phishing attempt is found out and a check created for that attempt, there is another type of Phish, which is more sophisticated than the previous one. Registered anti Fraud softwares offer free upgrades (for a limited time) and these upgrades offer protection against the newer fraud attempts. Most often pirated versions are out dated and will not offer you the security.

Upgrade your anti Fraud Do not ignore the paid upgrade messages of your anti fraud software. Do it. If your pack is out dated, do not hesitate to purchase the latest one. Money spent on security is never a waste.

Site Advisors Before visiting any unknown website, please check for alerts on the website's "health". Some anti virus packages offer this feature as a part of their service (e.g., McAfee). These are also available for free download but use caution before downloading.

Net Shopping Security is always a concern while shopping via the net. You must ensure the good health of the web site from which you are transacting. Check for the "Hacker Safe" sign on these sites. It is not just the website that must be checked, your personal computer must also be checked for "Key Logger Highjack" or " IP Highjack". (If you have an "up to date" anti Fraud Pack, it will do the work for you)

Downloads Never download anything from an unknown/unverified source. Be it your e-Mail or the net. Most often than not, these downloads are "virus packed" and will create a lot of headaches.

e-Mails Use e-Mail domains that protect your inbox with anti Spam. Add all the important e-Mail Ids to your contacts list. Do not click on any link provided in an unverified/source unknown mail. DO NOT LOGIN AND/OR CHANGE THE PASSWORD OF YOUR NET-BANKING ACCOUNT VIA A LINK PROVIDED IN AN E-MAIL. JUST DON'T, EVEN IF THE MAIL LOOKS GENUINE. Do not get lured by any "easy money" mails that hit your inbox. There is no easy money. There is no way you can earn "5-figure" money in two hours of work! If you get lured, it is easy money for the scamster! e-Mail sob stories of bed-ridden grandmas', widowed beauties or virgin teens who are oppressed by foster parents, soliciting your help (ONLY YOU, out of the millions of net users) for "fund transfer" from Nigeria to Timbuktu are strictly for the "Delete Immediately" button.

Password Changes It will be difficult for you to adopt this (it is for me!) but for a safer scenario, this must be done. You will have to keep changing your passwords of all accounts frequently (e-Mail, blog, ebay, net-banking, e.t.c.,) Passwords should never be the obvious choices like close relatives' names, date of births.you know the rest. Always use alphanumeric passwords. Adding special symbols also adds to your PW strength. Do not have the same password for all your accounts. DO NOT create a password list and store it on your hard disk or e-Mail for future reference. Highjackers check for such files FIRST, as soon as they gain access to your data. PWs must be stored in your mind only. It is tough but hey, it is not as difficult as genetic engineering.

Browsing Centers and Web Cafes Always use a reputed web café. Not all the small time centers take proper precautions against Phishing. You will be shocked by the lack of net security in some of these centers. If you do not want your e-Mail accounts, ORKUT ids, chat ids, ebay id, blog ids, e.t.c., to be compromised, please use a reputed web café or at least check for anti fraud measures in your web café.

Your Views

".nothing has been working out despite having very good players in our ranks."

Mr. Dravid, we understand you defending your team (you have no choice) but please credit us with some intelligence. Things work out only if you put in the effort..

".we have been putting our best effort but I feel the intensity was not there."

Really? best effort.? intensity not there.? How can any effort be the best without the desire to succeed? Your team's performance against Jaipur was a shocking display of bad bowling, horrible fielding and inept batting.

".we also experimented a bit today. We sent big hitters up the order but could not fire because they (Rajasthan Royals) bowled in the right areas."

Did you count on the Jaipur bowlers to bowl in the "wrong" areas when you planned your experiment?

".we also had some limitations with (Dale) Steyn and few others being injured."

Yeah Right.like the team was winning when these players were around.

Telemarketing Girl: Hello Saar. I am speaking to (Mr) Srividya vaa?

Me: No you are not !!

Telemarketing Girl: Hello MISTER Vidya. We are giving free credit card. You want no?

Me: I am NOT MISTER VIDYA and no, I don't want a credit card

Telemarketing Girl: Ok no problem saar, I vant to speak to Mr. Srividya

Me: "Exasperated" Listen friend, it is not MISTER Srividya, She is my wife !!!

Telemarketing Girl: Oh wife aaa? Ok no problem saar. Give it her noo?

Me: She is not in and listen, we are not interested in another card.

Telemarketing Girl: I know you are not INTERESTING Saar. Your wife Mr. Vidya vill be INTERESTING saar...

Me: What !!! Oh Ok I understand what you mean...but listen, I know that she does not want another card. We talk about it these things you know? Being husband and wife ..

Telemarketing Girl: vy you are talking like this saar..you don't know our card and still you are saying not intresting, not intresting.

Me: I don't care if your card is the best, I STILL AM NOT INTERESTING ..err interested

Telemarketing Girl: You listen me saar, our card has the"longestinterestfreecreditperiodlowestinterestratealsowillgivediscountonpurchaseofpetrolairtickettrainticketSAARrevolvingcreditavaialbleandinterestrateleastSAARyoutravelforeignmeansextracreditlimitSAARandthebeautyofitisyougetthecardABSOLUTELYFREE!!...saar"

Me: Don't you take NO for an answer?

Telemarketing Girl: vy no? you know saar, "ourcardgivesbalancetransferatlowsetinterestratealsofreeinsurancecoverforcardholderalso longestinterestfreecreditperiodlowestinterestratealsowillgivediscountonpurchaseofpetrolairtickettrainticketSAARrevolvingcreditavaialbleandinterestrateleastSAARyoutravelforeignmeansextracreditlimitSAARandthebeautyofitisyougetthecardABSOLUTELYFREE!!..saar"

Me: I did not understand even one word of what you just said. Anyway, we are....

Telemarketing Girl: Not understand aa? Vy you are telling me now? I want to speak in Kannada vaa, Tamil aaa?

Me: ???? uggh It doesn't matter what language. I JUST DON"T WANT YOUR CARD.UNDERSTAND?

Telemarketing Girl: Saar, you simply wasting my time saar..you put the phone saar.(Click)

(I am left fuming and looking at the phone held in my hand and before long the phone rings again.)

Me: HELLO?

(Unbelievably, it is the same telemarketer again!!!)

Telemarketing Girl: Ayyo, same fellow vaa? You are wrong number saar. You put the phone..(Click)