Phishing Scams!
Stop and Think before you click on links in any email.
EVERY DAY SOMEONE GETS HACKED SCAMMED ROBBED
Don't encourage these criminals
Don't fall prey and open their attachments
My Mom loves to forward email jokes from unknown people - don't do this.
WE don't need the virus and we don't have the time anyways
Billions of emails are sent a day. That represents a lot of opportunity for phishing scams, in which scammers
distribute emails that appear to come from legitimate organizations or
individuals and try to entice the recipient into clicking on malicious links or
attachments. Spear-phishing is a more targeted type of phishing in which a
specific organization or person is the target. The typical goal of phishing
attacks is to get you to give up sensitive information such as a Social
Security number or financial information. Phishing is also used as a way for
attackers to get inside an organization’s network for cyber espionage or other
malicious activity.
Scammers will use spoofed email addresses, phony websites with
legitimate logos, or phone numbers to fake customer service centers operated by
the scammers. Last year phishing attacks cost organizations $4.5 billion in losses.
Common
Phishing Scams
When it comes to phishing, the best line of defense is you. If you
pay attention to potential phishing traps and watch for telltale signs of a
scam, you can minimize your risk of becoming a victim. Here are some scenarios
you may encounter:
·
An email appearing to be from a bank, credit card company, or
other financial institution requests that you “confirm” your personal account
information. Supposedly, your information has been lost, or your account is
going to be closed, so it is “urgent” that you respond immediately.
·
A urgent e-mail or txt on
mobile device from your boss or Corp. manager/executive asking for you to do
them a favor or give some info that is out of the ordinary.
·
A phony email from the “fraud department” of a well-known company
asks you to verify your information because they suspect you may be a victim of
identity theft.
·
An email may take advantage of a current event, such as a popular
data breach, which scammers used to send phishing emails with malicious links
for “free credit reporting.”
·
An email claiming to be from a state lottery commission requests
your banking information to deposit the “winnings” into your accounts.
·
A scammer pretends to have a large sum of money and needs “someone
trustworthy” to help access it. The scammer promises to share the wealth in
exchange for your help - specifically, your financial information.
Easy Tips to
Protect Yourself from Phishing
·
Do not send any sensitive personal information via email.
Legitimate organizations will not ask users to send information this way.
·
Visit banking or financial websites by typing the address into the
address bar. Do not follow links embedded in an unsolicited email.
·
Only open an email attachment if you’re expecting it and know what
it contains. Be cautious about container files, such as .zip files, as
malicious files could be packed inside.
·
If you want to verify a suspicious email, contact the organization
directly – but don’t call the number which is provided in the email.
·
Use discretion when posting personal information on social media.
This information is a treasure-trove to spear phishers who will use it to feign
trustworthiness.
·
Use antivirus software to detect and disable malicious programs,
such as spyware or backdoor Trojans, which may be included in phishing emails.
Keep your Internet browser updated with the latest security patches.
