When it comes to internet security, most of us are not as internet savvy as we should be. When it comes to cyber-crimes, phisher-men are always on the lookout for “non-expecting” users who might fall prey to their tricks and tactics – they will ruthlessly and relentlessly phish for your personal information using various methods and approaches, all just to get some personal info and hopefully gain money from their efforts.
Here is a short list of helpful info which could assist you in becoming slightly more internet aware, especially when it comes to phishing.
- Be wary of emails asking for confidential information – especially information of a financial nature. Legitimate organizations will never request sensitive information via email, and most banks will tell you that they won’t ask for your information unless you’re the one contacting them.
- Don’t get pressured into providing sensitive information. Phishers like to use scare tactics, and may threaten to disable an account or delay services until you update certain information. Be sure to contact the merchant directly to confirm the authenticity of their request.
- Make sure you familiarize yourself with a website’s privacy policy. The majority of commercial websites have a privacy policy, which is usually accessible at the foot of the page. The most useful thing to look for is the website’s policy on whether it will or will not sell its mailing list. Most of the spam you receive on a daily basis – as well as potentially dangerous phishing emails – is coming to you because a site you have signed up to has sold your email address to another company. If you’re not ok with this happening, it might be worth reconsidering whether you want to sign up to the site.
- Watch out for generic-looking requests for information. Fraudulent emails are often not personalized, while authentic emails from your bank often reference an account you have with them. Many phishing emails begin with “Dear Sir/Madam”, and some come from a bank with which you don’t even have an account.