BY LEROY MCLEAN, Contributor
PHISHING (PRONOUNCED "FISHING") is one of the fastest growing threats on the Internet and a form of identity theft. It refers to high-tech scams using phony websites with actual brands designed to steal valuable personal information such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers and Social Security numbers.
Phishers use many tactics including creating and sending links to fraudulent websites or e-mail messages that appear to be valid in an attempt to fool you into submitting personal, financial, and password information.
Often an e-mail will be sent containing a link taking you to a fraudulent website appearing to be valid (like your bank or mortgage company) so that you'll enter your personal information. By using well-known, trusted brand names and logos, phishers are able to convince you to respond to them.
ONLINE SERVICE
The Phishing Filter Add-in offers access to a new dynamic online service, updated several times an hour to warn you and help protect your personal information from these fraudulent websites by:
Scanning websites you visit and warning you if they are potentially suspicious.
Dynamically checking the websites you visit with up to the hour online information via an online service run by Microsoft and blocking you from sharing personal information if a site is a known phishing website.
The Microsoft Phishing Filter Add-in warns you of websites containing suspicious content and blocks websites reported to be phishing sites a dynamically updated online service.
The Add-in provides two levels of warnings, which are color-coded:
Block - If a person visits a site that is confirmed on the online list of reported phishing sites, the add-in will display a red warning bar above the webpage and block someone from entering personal data to protect them.
Warn - If the website contains characteristics common to a phishing site but isn't on the list of known sites, MSN Search Toolbar will display a yellow warning bar on the web page to warn the person that the site is a suspected phishing website to caution people on attempting to share their personal information, and give them the option to continue to the suspect site, close their browser or tab in the toolbar.
Send your comments or suggestions to thestartech@yahoo.com. You can also write to StarTech c/o The Gleaner Company, 7 North Street, Kingston.
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