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Maybe you've received an email from Nigeria seeking your help in the transfer of money. Or maybe your "bank" has asked for your social security number... Well, no maybes about it. These are but two of the omnipresent "phishing" scams that hook boatloads of Internet users. From Antiphishing.org: "(Phishing) schemes use 'spoofed' e-mails to lead consumers to counterfeit websites designed to trick recipients into divulging financial data... Hijacking brand names of banks, e-retailers and credit card companies, phishers often convince
recipients to respond. Technical subterfuge schemes plant crimeware onto PCs to steal credentials directly..." Phishing, unfortunately, is on the rise. This Computerworld story describes a typical scam: In 2003, eBay users received emails urging them to re-register with the site because their accounts had been compromised. The message contained a link to what looked like an eBay web page, where personal data was to be entered. Of course, the page wasn't sent by eBay, but by identity thieves trolling for data. Many organizations,
including the FTC, issue guidelines on how to avoid victimization. Some recommendations: - Don't reply to or click links in emails or pop-up messages asking for personal or financial information.
- Use updated anti-virus software and a firewall.
- Be cautious about opening attachments or downloading files from emails.
And remember, if anyone urges you to help them transfer money out of Nigeria, there's only one proper response: DELETE, sucka!
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