Some of us may have come across the term “Phishing” It is with a reason that this word relates to and sounds like “fishing”. A fisherman lays the net and waits for the unsuspecting fish to get trapped and an Internet scamster lays the “net” and waits for the unwary netizen to get trapped. Phishing attempts are made on every netizen, every day, multiple times via their personal e-Mail, pop–ups, links, downloads or even when one makes an unsuspected visit to a few websites!
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
The Internet is vast and the measures listed above are but a few drops of the proverbial ocean. You are invited to add to this list or share your experiences if you have been a victim of a “Phishing Attempt” or an “Internet Fraud”
