'Phishing' is one of the most common techniques used by scammers today. If you don't want to be a victim of this scam, it's time to make yourself aware.
It's first important to understand exactly what phishing is. Phishing is a type of scam where scammers 'fish' for information by sending fake emails and setting up fraudulent websites that try to trick you into entering your personal information. The method can be traced back to the 90s and has become even more advanced today.
Advanced scammers often use the same logos and designs as real-world companies so as to appear legitimate. These 'wolves in sheep's clothing' will then trick victims out of their information by directing them to a website asking them to input their information. Those who fall for this scam often do so because they are unaware of the scam and have done business with the company before, so they don't think anything of receiving an email or link from the company.
Phishing scams affect online business owners too, but in a different way than it affects consumers. Consumers are more cautious in making online transactions because of phishing scams and the way they prey on unsuspecting victims. The Federal Trade Commission works against the perpetrators of such cyber crimes and encourages people to be careful when giving information away, especially over the internet.
Not every website can be trusted with your online information. Before you decide to input any of your personal information or bank account information into an online application, it's important to make sure the company you're dealing with is reputable. Check the company's track record with the Better Business Bureau. Consumers can record complaints against particular companies with the organization so it's easy to see whether or not a company is trust worthy. Even so, finding nothing wrong doesn't mean you're in the clear. Do as much digging as possible to find out the real story behind a company.
Always use a site with a secure server. It's easy to tell the difference between a site with a secure server and one without a secure server if you know what to look for. The URL should say 'https://,' which means it is a secure site. Also, there will be an icon that looks like a lock at the bottom right hand side of your browser window. When it is in the 'locked' position, you are looking at a secure server site.
It's first important to understand exactly what phishing is. Phishing is a type of scam where scammers 'fish' for information by sending fake emails and setting up fraudulent websites that try to trick you into entering your personal information. The method can be traced back to the 90s and has become even more advanced today.
Advanced scammers often use the same logos and designs as real-world companies so as to appear legitimate. These 'wolves in sheep's clothing' will then trick victims out of their information by directing them to a website asking them to input their information. Those who fall for this scam often do so because they are unaware of the scam and have done business with the company before, so they don't think anything of receiving an email or link from the company.
Phishing scams affect online business owners too, but in a different way than it affects consumers. Consumers are more cautious in making online transactions because of phishing scams and the way they prey on unsuspecting victims. The Federal Trade Commission works against the perpetrators of such cyber crimes and encourages people to be careful when giving information away, especially over the internet.
Not every website can be trusted with your online information. Before you decide to input any of your personal information or bank account information into an online application, it's important to make sure the company you're dealing with is reputable. Check the company's track record with the Better Business Bureau. Consumers can record complaints against particular companies with the organization so it's easy to see whether or not a company is trust worthy. Even so, finding nothing wrong doesn't mean you're in the clear. Do as much digging as possible to find out the real story behind a company.
Always use a site with a secure server. It's easy to tell the difference between a site with a secure server and one without a secure server if you know what to look for. The URL should say 'https://,' which means it is a secure site. Also, there will be an icon that looks like a lock at the bottom right hand side of your browser window. When it is in the 'locked' position, you are looking at a secure server site.
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