Phishing : Examples and its Prevention Methods

Phishing is an act of sending an e-mail to user fallaciously claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to acquire the sensitive information. The e-mail directs or links the user to visit a Web sites where they are ask to update their personal information such as password, credit card details or bank account numbers. Phishing is usually appear from well know and trustworthy Web sites like eBay and PayPal. However, it also occur through voice phone calls, text messages or other electronic communication methods.

Here, there are some examples of phishing :

The phishing attack shown below is an example of involving eBay e-mail. In this case, eBay claimed that user has to change the password to continue to logon to eBay. The user may also feel stress as there is a threat in the e-mail which noted that a their account will be suspended if they did not take action. The aim of this phishing is to get the password from the users.

Second example is a mail entitled "Verified by Visa" sends to the Visa credit card holders. It claims that the users have to verify their Visa card to ensure the security of the card. The mail looks exactly like the VISA's legitimate site which create the most dangerous phish scam. The purpose of the mail is also to get the password from the Visa credit card holders.

However, there are several methods to prevent from it. The image below shown the suspicious of the phish scam and some methods of how to identify it as phishing spam. In addition, there is alos several preventions provided.

1) Normally, legitimate business and financial institutions would hardly ask for personal information via e-mail. Thus, if you receive such e-mail, call the organisation and ask if it's legitimate or check its legitimate Web site.

2)Look up for the spelling error or bad grammar. It is a tip-off to beware.

3)Next, you may look at click able link with text suggesting you use the inserted link to verify your account. When you point to the hyperlink text, the bottom left of web page will show the real web site address to which you will go. It is important to note that the hyperlink does not point to the legitimate web site.

4)If there is threat which caused you to be uncomfortable of it, you may just type the company's genuine website manually on the address bar rather than trusting any hyperlinks in the suspected phishing message.

5)It is recommended to use Internet Explorer 7 which includes Microsoft Phishing Filter which helps protect you from the web fraud and the risks of personal data theft by warning or blocking you from reported phishing Web sites.

Related links are provided below for further information :

• Top Ten Internet/ Email Spam
• All About Phishing
• Tips to Safeguard from Fraudulent Emails / Phishing Attempts