How to Identify and Avoid Phishing Scams

How to Identify and Avoid Phishing Scams

Phishing is a form of social engineering technique used by hackers to gather sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by posing as a trustworthy person or organization. Since most online users are unaware of the techniques used in carrying out a phishing attack, they often fall victim and hence, phishing can be very effective.

With the dramatic increase in the number of phishing scams in the recent years, there has also been a steady rise in the number of people being victimized. Lack of awareness among the people is the prime reason behind such attacks. This article will try to create awareness and educate the users about such online scams and frauds.

Phishing scams usually sends an email message to users requesting for their personal information, or redirects them to a website where they are required to enter their personal information. Here are some of the tips to identify various phishing techniques and stay away from it:

Identifying a Phishing Scam:

Beware of emails that demand for an urgent response from your side. Some of the examples are:

You may receive an email which appears to have come from your bank or financial organization stating that “your bank account is limited due to an unauthorized activity. Please verify your account asap so as to avoid permanent suspension”. In most cases, you are requested to follow a link (URL) that takes you to spoofed web page (similar to your bank website) and enter your login details over there.In some cases, phishing emails may ask you to make a phone call. There may be a person or an audio response waiting on the other side of the phone to take away your credit cards details, account number, social security number or other valuable data.