Phishing Email and how not become it's victim.

 

Phishing is a technique used to extort personal information such your passwords or credit card numbers and other personal data.

This consists of pretending to represent companies, brand or business organizations  you are users, account member or prospective buyers. This messages will ask you open webpage using the link provided and ask you to provide personal information yourself. These page links are redirected to fake pages which look alike original business website pages. When you log in to that page, the cybercriminals can steal your credentials.

Further, they can use your username and password I to login and  could start sending unsolicited messages (spam) in your name and gain access to your contacts for more unsolicited access.

Often, they target to mimic as financial institutions or e-commerce site where they can get access to credentials of your banking or your credit cards. Also, various contest winning or free wealth share messaging to get you excited and provide your personal data as well as small fee to claim that prize.

There are various methods and ways these cyber crime artists use to get access of information simply by convincing you to provide them willingly.

Fortunately, most of this phishing emails are caught and blocked by mail servers but various email still escape and reach out to users. There are various key information which can help you identify phishing and prevent from being a victim.

Signs of a phishing attempt? Look for:

• Poor vocabulary or incorrect spelling
• An action you are not aware of – purchasing item , contest ticket purchase
• Send email is spoofed and not send by actual company domain website
• An e-mail sent by a service provider you do not know, or from a company with which you do not do business
• An e-mail telling you your account has been deactivated
• An e-mail asking you to confirm personal information quickly, and threatening to deactivate your account
• Asking you click a link provided on the email

 

When unsure, what to do ?

• Do not use the link provided, go to website directly using typing actual website address
• Do not reply that email or call on number provided, instead  use already known phone number to call and confirm and known email for clarification
• Contact actual company or service provider to confirm about emails
• Copy part of email message and paste on Google (or other) search engine to search if others received such emails

 

When in doubt, assume it as phishing email and contact actual company or share email details with friends or contact cyber security blogs for support. Learn more at estiopi.cybersafe@solnetcanada.com