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Cyber Criminals Haven't Retired - They've Just Gone Phishing!The technological community is constantly being hit by waves of crime via the internet. Not so very many years ago, it was rather rare to learn of someone who had been directly affected by a computer hacker. As time marched on, however, the phenomenon became more pronounced. Today, folks are so busy fortifying their notebooks with the latest anti-hacking tools that they seem to have time to do little else.Phishing (pronounced "fishing") - the act of using fraudulent websites and e-mail in an attempt to coerce the user to reveal personal data, such as bank account, credit card and social security numbers - has become an epidemic in today's society. As a result, major software companies, such as Microsoft, have been developing and releasing a number of tools that are designed to be used by the general public in order to protect themselves against the ravages of those who would commit this type of cyber-crime. If you're the owner of a wireless laptop, there's a brand new threat on the electronic horizon: WiPhishing. This latest technology (pronounced "why fishing") enables hackers to position themselves outside of a building - or across the street - and use their own laptops to create a clone (or twin) of the user's common network name (such as NetGear or LinkSys). Some may even clone hotspot names, such as T-Mobile. Once hackers successfully duplicate the network scenario, the user's notebook will automatically connect to the hacker's false network, enabling cyber-criminals to garner sensitive information about the user. This is accomplished by providing a stronger signal to the user's wireless laptop - and within closer range - than their actual base station, and the user's none the wiser. In order to mount a challenge against any form of phishing, there are some precautionary steps that you can take when logging onto your laptop. While no specific action can guarantee the safety of your system, you can significantly decrease your chances of becoming the next victim in the phishing pond. Perhaps the most important precaution that you can take when logging onto the network or visiting an outside website is to ensure that you're on a secure channel. Unless it specifically indicates that it's secure, you're on a common channel and are at risk for being electronically violated. When typing in the web address that you plan to visit, instead of beginning with, "http://," use "https://". Unless the "s" is included in the web address, you're not on a secure channel. If you should receive e-mails that ask you for sensitive information, such as a password, credit card number, etc, or requesting that you fill out a particular form, don't be fooled into providing such information by using the link that they provide - even if it looks official and carries the logo of a bank or company that's familiar to you. In order to verify that this is a legitimate request, log onto the company's website through your main carrier, and not through the e-mail link. Then, you'll be free to check into the situation without becoming trapped in a snare that's been offered by a hacker. If, once you gain access to the company through an outside means, you can't verify the validity of the message that you received, contact the company directly. There are now web browser tools that will assist you in protecting your laptop computer, by sending an alert when a fraudulent website is encountered. These and many other safety precautions for your laptop are available to users, a full list of which can be found by visiting Antiphishing.org. |
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