Security Information |
|
Be Aware of Phishing Scams!
If you use emails actively in your communication, you must have received various messages claiming to be from Ebay, Paypal and a number of banks. A recent email as if from U.S. Bank Corporation that I received contains the subject "U.S. Bank Fraud Verification Process" and in the body of the mail it says "We recently reviewed your account, and suspect that your U.S. Bank Internet Banking account may have been accessed by an unauthorized third party. Protecting the security of your account and of the U.S. Bank network is our primary concern. Therefore, as a preventative measure, we have temporarily limited access to sensitive account features. To restore your account access, please take the following steps to ensure that your account has not been compromised:". It continues with a link to a webpage, which looks very similar to original web page of the bank. The misleading web site appears authentic with familiar graphics and logos. The wordings are professional right down to the legal disclaimer at the bottom of the page. If you happened to be holding an account of the claimed bank, followed the instructions of the email and input your account, pin, password, etc. you are doomed. You just have handed over access to your account to a con artist, who, in a matter of days, will drain off all the money available in that account. This new scam, which is proliferating in a very rapid pace, is called "Phishing". Phishing is a form of identity theft, where a con artist with the help of official looking email containing link to phony web pages capable of harvesting information, tricks an unsuspecting victim into divulging sensitive personal data. Scammers use these data to bilk victims out of their savings. One of the most common phishing campaigns being waged has targeted users of Web auction giant eBay and its PayPal division with financial services giant Citibank serving as another popular target. However, recently, every major bank has been hit with this scam. Crooks send out huge amounts of emails with an expectation that some of these email address owners may have online access to their accounts at the bank. The term "Phishing" is a deviation of the word "Fishing". In hackers' lexicon, in many words, "F" becomes "Ph". The term derives from the fact that scammers use sophisticated bait as they "fish" for users' personal information. According to Gartner, a research firm, illegal access to checking accounts gained via phishing has become into the fastest growing type of consumer theft in the United States. Roughly 1.98 million people reported that their checking account was breached in one way or another during the last year and US$ 2.4 billion were defrauded from the victims! Gartner also estimated that 57 million U.S. Internet users have received phishing emails and 3 percent of them may have fooled into revealing their personal sensitive information. The Anti-Phishing Working Group has also spotted a dramatic increase in reports of phishing attacks in recent months. Since November, 2003 phishing scams increase by about 110 percent each month. In April alone, the group identified 1125 unique phishing scams, a sharp lift of 178 percent from the previous month. MessageLabs, a company that watches phishing scams closely, has noted an even more dramatic increase in number of phishing emails. It claims to see phishing messages jump from just 279 in September, 2003 to a staggering 215,643 in March of 2004. The scammers also started to use more sophisticated technologies in recent months. The latest generation of phishing scammers uses several methods to trick users, including pop-up graphics to mast the true web URL of the phishing site and the installation of Spywares and Trojans on victim's computer. The perpetrators also take advantage of security bugs in web browsers, in which the URL in the address bar appears to be for one site but is, in fact, a link to a totally different site. A new Windows worm under the name "Korgo" is able to infiltrate into victim's system with a key logging Trojan, steal information that the victim input in web forms and secretly transmit to designated server. There are a number of variants of this worm and they are spreading rapidly. However, Microsoft in April came up with a patch to seal this glitch. Many computers without the patch are still vulnerable to this potentially dangerous worm. A U.S. Treasury report provides consumers with steps to prevent and report phishing scams:
Other cautionary measures you should take in order to protect yourself are:
About The Author Nowshade Kabir is the founder, primary developer and present CEO of MORE RESOURCES:
'Blow the whistle': Indiana's top election official spends $35k on security guide mailings • Indiana Capital Chronicle Indiana Capital Chronicle Violence in New Caledonia subsides slightly as France sends reinforcements for security The Associated Press Canada security intelligence chief warns China can use TikTok to spy on users, CBC reports Reuters.com House Passes Israel Security Assistance Support Act | House Committee on Appropriations - Republicans House Appropriations Israel Resists Grand Bargain as U.S. and Saudis Work on Security Pact The New York Times U.S.-Ukraine Security Entanglement Risks Forever War The American Conservative Sean 'Diddy' Combs Allegedly Paid $50K to Obtain Hotel Security Footage of Cassie Assault: Lawsuit PEOPLE Women are worried about their financial security. That may affect the 2024 presidential election CNBC Palo Alto Networks and IBM to Jointly Provide AI-powered Security Offerings; IBM to Deliver Security Consulting ... IBM Newsroom Now armed with AI, America's adversaries will try to influence election, security officials warn The Associated Press Is AI the future of school security systems? Yahoo! Voices Security video appears to show Sean 'Diddy' Combs beating singer Cassie in hotel hallway in 2016 Washington Times Nuclear security through the eyes of the Co-Presidents of ICONS 2024 International Atomic Energy Agency Appropriators Lead Israel Security Assistance Support Act | House Committee on Appropriations - Republicans House Appropriations IBM Selling Cloud Security Software to Palo Alto Networks in Broader Cyber Strategy Shift The Wall Street Journal Security footage calls into question Anchorage police account of fatal shooting Alaska Public Media News Security Council Secretary: 'Not an Inch of Armenian Land Ceded to Azerbaijan' • MassisPost Armenian News by MassisPost Identity Management and Information Security News for the Week of May 17; Exabeam, Saviynt, VAST Data, and More Solutions Review Canada Releases Defense Policy Update to Boost Security Department of Defense NATO and Economic Security: A Political Oxymoron or Inevitability? CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies New Survey Finds a Paradox of Confidence in Software Supply Chain Security Security Boulevard FCC proposes BGP security measures Network World EXCLUSIVE: Two students uncover security bug that could let millions do their laundry for free TechCrunch Amazon security guard tries to kill unsuspecting boss before he's shot dead in gunfight with police: 'He almost executed me' New York Post Endpoint Security and Network Monitoring News for the Week of May 17; Alkira, Preamble, c/side, and More Solutions Review Diddy Seen Physically Assaulting Cassie in Never-Before-Seen 2016 Hotel Security Footage Entertainment Tonight RSA Conference 2024: AI and the Future Of Security Security Boulevard Putin has ditched his paranoid security chief. Here are 5 of the wackiest things Nikolai Patrushev has said. POLITICO Europe Fox News Poll: Abortion, economy, and border security are top deal-breakers in 2024 elections Fox News See cops working security at Tacoma grocery stores? Here’s why and what policies allow Tacoma News Tribune OWASP dep-scan: Open-source security and risk audit tool Help Net Security Opinion | Is TikTok Chinese ownership a U.S. national security issue? Come on. - The Washington Post Opinion | Is TikTok Chinese ownership a U.S. national security issue? Come on. The Washington Post 7 months since Oct 7, UN Security Council holds first meeting entirely dedicated to Israeli hostages in Gaza All Israel News UN sexual violence envoy pulls out of Security Council briefing on Hamas hostages The Times of Israel PKI-Based Passkeys Lead The Way For A Passwordless Future Security Boulevard Enabling Continuous Zero Trust in Multi-Cloud Environments with Netography Fusion Security Boulevard An inspector general warned the Justice Department of gaps in its security clearance appeals process Government Executive May 17: IDF fighter jet carries out rare strike on target in West Bank city of Jenin The Times of Israel Multnomah County Signs $40 Million Contract for Armed and Unarmed Security at County Facilities, Including Public ... Willamette Week Votiro Keeps Up the Momentum in 2024 Security Boulevard A Free, Prosperous, and Secure Future for Ukraine - United States Department of State Department of State JLOTS, an obscure Army-Navy capability, arrives in Gaza NavyTimes.com The situation concerning Iraq - Security Council, 9628th meeting Welcome to the United Nations Cybersecurity Insights with Contrast CISO David Lindner | 5/17/24 Security Boulevard Brothers Indicted for Stealing $25 Million of Ethereum in 12 Seconds Security Boulevard The Dell API Breach: It could have been prevented Security Boulevard America's Envoy to the United Nations Gets 'Honest' With Security Council About the Fate of Hamas's Hostages The New York Sun 'Abnormal' security video, Google Drive led to Stephan Sterns' arrest in Madeline Soto case, documents show WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando Response to CISA Advisory (AA24-131A): #StopRansomware: Black Basta Security Boulevard Making Safety and Security Intrinsic to School Design Campus Security Today USENIX Security ’23 – AEX-Notify: Thwarting Precise Single-Stepping Attacks Through Interrupt Aware... Security Boulevard U.S. Security Cooperation with Ukraine - United States Department of State Department of State Belgium cuts off ticket sales for soccer match against Israel over ‘security concerns’ The Times of Israel Security fog machine helps deter burglars from Chatsworth business FOX 11 Los Angeles Donald Trump to visit St. Paul. What are the security expenses? St. Paul Pioneer Press Galaxy Tab S9 lineup gets Android's May 2024 security update SamMobile - Samsung news French security forces impose 'calmer' situation in New Caledonia under emergency powers FRANCE 24 English In first, UN Security Council holds meeting solely focused on hostages held by Hamas The Times of Israel |
RELATED ARTICLES
Computer Viruses, Worms, and Hoaxes In recent days, I was one of the unfortunate persons to receive the "Mydoom" worm emails. Not just one, but at least forty appeared in my popserver mailbox. A Basic Introduction To Spyware Spyware is the most troublesome software to appear on theInternet in recent times. When spyware infects a computersystem, it may be relatively harmless or it may bedevastating. 5 Simple Steps to Protect your Digital Downloads A couple of days ago, I was searching for a popular eBook online. Now I'm not going to tell you the name of this eBook for reasons you'll understand in the next few minutes. How to Get Rid of New Sobig.F Virus? As you know, this time the virus under the name Sobig.F has wreaked quite havoc! No doubt, many of us have suffered from this recent virus outbreak. How To Prevent Spyware Attacking Your Computer Spyware is software or hardware installed on a computerwithout a user's knowledge. It gathers information andreports it back to its source. Protect Your Little Black Book The movie Little Black Book features a young woman, Stacy, who is frustrated when her boyfriend refuses to share information about his past relationships. When his PDA, a Palm Tungsten C, falls into her hands, she is faced with a conundrum. Make Money Online - Defend Against The Latest Scam First, let's do a little recap'. As I stated in the first part of the article, "Make Money Online - The Latest Scam Disclosed", "refund policy scammers" affect the websites that make money online by selling digital products by buying the product and asking for refunds, while keeping the product. Instant Messaging - Expressway for Identity Theft, Trojan Horses, Viruses, and Worms Never before with Instant Messaging (IM) has a more vital warning been needed for current and potential IM buddies who chat on line.John Sakoda of IMlogic CTO and Vice President of Products stated that,"IM viruses and worms are growing exponentially. Virus and Adware - Fix them Both! We all get the odd virus now and then, but sometimes that one virus could cause so many problems. In this article I shall be going though just some of the problems that these virus software programs can do, and how to fix them. Why Malicious Programs Spread So Quickly? It seems that nowadays cybercriminals prefer cash to fun. That is why malicious programs of various kinds (viruses, worms, Trojan horses, etc. Dont Fall Victim to Internet Fraud-10 Tips for Safer Surfing The Internet offers a global marketplace for consumers and businesses. However, criminals also recognize the potential of cyberspace. The Bad Guys Are Phishing For Your Personal Information Do you know what "phishing" is?No, it doesn't mean you grab a pole and head to the late to catchsome phish.The official Webopedia definition of "phishing" is as follows:The act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming to be anestablished legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the userinto surrendering private information that will be used foridentity theft. Identity Theft - Dont Blame The Internet Identity theft - also known as ID theft, identity fraud and ID fraud - describes a type of fraud where a criminal adopts someone else's identity in order to profit illegally. It is one of the fastest growing forms of fraud in many developed countries. Social Engineering - The Real E-Terrorism? One evening, during the graveyard shift, an AOL technical support operator took a call from a hacker. During the hour long conversation the hacker mentioned he had a car for sale. How to Thwart the Barbarian Spyware! Today,on most internet user's computers, we have theability to employ software, along with ourintelligence, to prevent viruses and spyware.To put this article into proper perspective, we'll useMedieval defense tactics. New Mass Mailing Spamming Internet Trojan for the Windows Platform May. 16th 2005 - MicroWorld has reported the discovery of Troj/Sober-Q, which is a mass mailing spamming internet Trojan for the Windows platform. Protection for Your PC - Painless and Free! Viruses, Bugs, Worms, Dataminers, Spybots, and Trojan horses. The Internet is a veritable minefield of things that can invade your PC and affect it's Security and Performance. Corporate Security for Your Home Business The words Corporate Security may conjure up images of a group of techies working in a wire-filled basement room of Microsoft or HP, combating hackers and terrorists online using words like algorithm and encryption. If you own your own business, do not allow yourself to think that security is only for big corporations. Network Security 101 As more people are logging onto the Internet everyday, Network Security becomes a larger issue. In the United States, identity theft and computer fraud are among the fastest rising crimes. Dialing Up a Scam: Avoiding the Auto-Dialer Virus For many, the daily walk to the mailbox evokes mixed feelings: The glee that your favorite monthly magazine - or a friend's hand-written letter (quite a surprise in the e-mail age) may be waiting is countered by anxiety of how many bills the postman left you.Now, imagine coming across your phone bill, thicker and heavier than normal. |
home | site map |
© 2006 |