Internet
Phishing - WSI
Something's
'Phishy' Online: Avoiding the Bait of
Online Scams
Phishing,
the practice of luring unsuspecting victims to disclose personal information
online, has quickly become the fastest-growing security threat to web
users. Governments, businesses and individuals worldwide are taking
this threat seriously, as are WSI Consultants who are prepared to help
their clients avoid falling victim to this and other forms of online
scams.
The
objective of the phishing scam is to collect sensitive information to
commit identity theft and run up bills, empty bank accounts or commit
crimes in the victim's name. Phishers accomplish this by sending emails
or pop-up messages under the guise of a legitimate business; banks,
online payment services, Internet service providers, even government
organizations. Recipients are solicited to submit personal information
in order to "validate" or "update" their account
information or face dire consequences.
Phishing
is particularly insidious as it exploits Internet-based technology to
track the activities of web users; identifying the businesses or organizations
a particular target deals with, and thereby lending credibility to the
scam and increasing the potential that the target will divulge the information
desired. Phishers have been known to collect information using dummy-sites
developed to fool targeted individuals into believing these are legitimate
sites of trusted businesses or organizations.
To
avoid falling victim to this and other online scams, web users are being
warned to be cautious with whom they do business online and to never
transmit sensitive information via email. Emails or pop-up messages
that ask for personal information should be deleted, and users should
never open attachments or click on links that seem suspicious or are
sent from individuals or companies not known to them. Credit card statements
should also be checked as soon as they are received and any dubious
charges investigated through the provider. Anti-virus software and firewalls
can also protect you from unintentionally accepting phishing emails
or pop-ups which often also contain spyware or viruses.
The
FTC (Federal Trade Commission) is actively investigating this threat
and Internet Service Providers, led by AOL are working towards preventing
this activity online. These organizations continue to identify and limit
the access of Phishers to the online community, instigating legal action
when appropriate.
As
leading Internet experts serving small- to medium-sized businesses worldwide,
WSI is doing its part to protect its clients by continually educating
its Internet Consultants on this and other security threats. "We
strongly believe that the only way to fully protect yourself is to understand
and be able to identify the threats you face so that you can take the
necessary precautions to avoid being victimized," explains Christopher
Booth, WSI's VP of Enterprise Technology Services. "The information
and support we give our Internet Consultants enables them to ensure
that their clients are safeguarded from phishing and other Internet-based
threats."
The
world's largest network of Internet Consultants with offices serving
over 1000 local markets worldwide. Ranked the #1 Internet Services Business
by industry-leading Entrepreneur magazine, our proven systems are used
to deliver thousands of economical e-Business solutions to small- and
medium-sized businesses annually.
|
