Mike, What is Phishing?

Phishing (pronounced Fishing) is a method used by identity thieves to steal your personal information. Phishers (once using pop-ups) now use email as a means to trick you into linking to their site and freely giving them what it is they want.

I’m sure we now all know about the famous Nigerian scams that have plagued our email boxes over the past years. Today, Phishers have gotten much more sophisticated.

You might receive an email from an unknown bank (one you’ve never heard of) enticing you to follow their link in order to update your personal information on a bank account you never had. Silly I know, but each year thousands of people fall into this trap even though they admit they’ve never heard of this bank and certainly never had an account there. They just felt that maybe someone made a mistake or a long gone family member had a secret bank account that no one knew of. The underlying need to get something for free (greed?) leads them right into the Phishers trap.

Others receive emails from presumed official sites asking for personal information. These include phony emails and links to Microsoft, AOL, city and federal Government, your own bank, lending companies, and the list goes on. Here’s one very important way you can identify a scam and keep your information protected: Your bank, the Government, Microsoft, AOL, your employer, and all the others will never, ever solicit you via email (or telephone for that matter) and ask you to give up your personal information. Logic and common sense wins out every time.

ITC Computer Services of Arizona
Office/Fax: 602-375-7934
Mobile: 602-684-7501
Web Site: www.itcaz.com
Email: mike@itcaz.com