Threat Online
- Phishing
Phishing is when emails or websites falsely claim to be an existing
organization that you do business with. These emails redirect users to
websites that are created to look like the legitimate site. Users are
then typically asked to update their personal information. Meanwhile the
real company has no need to ask for updated information and you just
supplied it all to a criminal. Be cautious of emails expressing urgency
and avoid links or submission forms asking for financial information.
Sensitive information like this should only be communicated using a
secure webpage.
- Pharming
Pharming is a more sophisticated version of phishing. With pharming a
cyber-criminal creates a vulnerable spot in an Internet Service
Provider’s DNS server and then hijacks the domain name of a commercial
site. When people visit the legitimate website they are immediately
redirected without knowing. Unsuspecting users will enter their login
information as usual, only this time they will be providing it to the
pharmers. The personal information gained can be used at the website to
purchase merchandise, clean out bank accounts, or open new ones.
- Spam and Spyware
Spyware is used to gather information like user ID’s or passwords.
Once gathered it is then sent back to the intruder. Spyware can collect
this information by logging keystrokes and using malware like Trojans.
New malicious programs are created and discovered every day so it is
important that you not only have Antivirus software but that you keep it
up to date as well. Antivirus programs scan, track, and remove any
problems from your hard drive. Anti-spyware programs can detect and
eliminate any spyware that has made a home on your hard drive. Many
Antivirus programs are bundled with an anti-Spyware.
Modem Hijacking
This is perhaps one of the most prevalent scams on the Internet today. When you visit a web site, you'll often see pop-up ads that ask you various questions and offer you a variety of services. To receive them, all you have to do is select yes on one or more ads. If you haven't read the fine print, however, you can unwittingly be agreeing to have software downloaded to your modem, which then instructs your modem to make long distance calls to overseas pay-per-call services. These calls can result in hundreds of dollars in charges. This usually impacts dial-up customers, rather than broadband customers. Often you don't know this has happened until you receive your next phone bill.
This is perhaps one of the most prevalent scams on the Internet today. When you visit a web site, you'll often see pop-up ads that ask you various questions and offer you a variety of services. To receive them, all you have to do is select yes on one or more ads. If you haven't read the fine print, however, you can unwittingly be agreeing to have software downloaded to your modem, which then instructs your modem to make long distance calls to overseas pay-per-call services. These calls can result in hundreds of dollars in charges. This usually impacts dial-up customers, rather than broadband customers. Often you don't know this has happened until you receive your next phone bill.
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