How to protect yourself from phishing attacks!

Phishing is a method that criminals use to steal your personal data, typically with fake websites and e-mails. This information is used to steal your identity or even used to break into your small business IT network. The common problems associated with phishing attacks are banking websites being broken into, email passwords stolen, and business network servers being infiltrated. A way to protect yourself from this problem is a mixture of protection software, and a little training to help you spot a phishing web site.

Here are some simple clues to help you spot a phishing website.

Look for evidence of a real-world presence: an address, a phone number, an email contact. If in doubt, send an email, make a phone call or write a letter to establish whether they really exist.
The website’s address is different from what you are used to, perhaps there are extra characters or words in it or it uses a completely different name or no name at all, just numbers.
Even though you are asked to enter private information there is NO padlock in the browser window or ‘https://’ at the beginning of the web address to signify that it is using a secure link and that the site is what it says it is.
A request for personal information such as user name, password or other security details IN FULL, when you are normally only asked for SOME of them.
Although rare, it is possible for your computer to be corrupted by viruses in such a way that you can type a legitimate website address into your browser and still end up at a fake site. This problem is known as 'pharming'. Check the address in your browser's address bar after you arrive at a website to make sure it matches the address you typed. Subtle changes ('eebay' instead of 'ebay' for example) may indicate that your computer is a victim of a pharming attack.

Here are some helpful tips to help keep your computer safe from phishing websites.

Make sure that all your antivirus software is update.
Have the newest of your web browser, both Internet Explorer and Firefox have a anti phishing website filter.
Also have your antivirus software up to date.

This is a web site from a popular web security company to help you see the difference https://www.phish-no-phish.com/default.aspx.

If you have any question please call The Ineterconnect Group computer help desk support and 317-831-0704 EXT 1 or you can call the business phone support line at 317-831-0704 EXT 2.

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Comments for How to protect yourself from phishing attacks!

Thursday, November 25, 2010 by Ralph:: I suppose it is something we all have to get used to. I am nearly 65 and come from a different place in relation to honesty in your dealings with people especially business dealings and it seems that although we had rogues and crooks in my day they are now scum and grubs for what they get up to. If young people get tired of us oldies harping on sometimes about how good it was in our day I'm glad I grew up in a time when your honesty and character meant a lot more. These grubs working on the internet to steal peoples identity to steal their money usually or create mahem should all be found and made to pay and not just with a slap on the wrist by limp wristed magistrates.