What is Phishing?

Phishing is an attempt to steal your personal information. It usually comes in the form of disguised emails look as though they come from a legitimate organization or someone that you know.

These message will usually contain a link to a website, and you are encouraged to click on it. The message may ask you to update your information, or may contain some more alarming message and request that you immediately verify some information.

Neve click on the webpage link. If you hover over the link with an email client such as Outlook, you will see the real website address in the lower left corner of your email application window. The web address will look fishy.

Early phishing attempts would have a legitimate looking web page, and ask you to fill in a form to verify information. More recently, these web pages install malicious software onto your computer, and it can be difficult to remove.

So don't always trust email that looks legitimate, but asks you to update your account information. Hover over links to check where they really go.

You can report phishing attempts by forwarding your email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can also go to this website: APWG, and fill out the form. Doing both of these things will help to stop the criminals that send out these scams.

< Prev		Next >