Toolkit topic: Phishing

This is one of those new words that abound in technology. In fact, as an adult you may not be familiar with the term, but will almost certainly be familiar with the e-mail context that it covers! It is a more sophisticated method of attempting you to divulge personal information - often with financial gain in mind.

The technology provider Yahoo explains the problem well and offers some sound advice.

'Phishing' is the term that's given to fraudulent emails and websites that are created by criminals in an attempt to get you to reveal personal details about yourself, usually your bank account information.

It's not only banks that criminals masquerade as, either; any institutions involved with money, including shops and subscription services, can be copied, too. They mimic the legitimate websites and communiqués that an institution, such as your bank, would create, except that the data that you enter is sent to the criminal.

When it arrives in your inbox, a phishing email will have one aim in mind: to get you to divulge your bank or credit card details. This is usually as part of a so-called security check or review of your account details, where the sender will act as though you're simply confirming what they already know. You'll be asked to provide your details in one of two ways: either by including them in a reply to the email or by clicking on a link in the email that takes you to a website that's been made to look like that of the institution in question. Here you'll be asked to log in or simply enter your details in a form on the page, at which point your account details are saved and the criminals have all they need to pose as you at the real website of your bank and transfer your money out.

Phishing is prevalent because it's a low-cost, low-effort activity on the part of its perpetrators."

Remember, your service provider, banks, building societies and the like will never ask you for your bank or credit card details - it pays to be suspicious.

You can find out more from Yahoo by clicking on the following link

http://uk.security.yahoo.com/protect-your-privacy/phishing-help.html

Other Useful webpages

Bank Safe online

identitytheft.org.uk

Identity Theft for Young People

 

 

Last Modified: 19/01/2012 09:39:22
Back to top