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Home >
Security >
Phishing |
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| Phishing or "Brand
Spoofing" |
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What
is Phishing?:
"Phishing"
or "brand spoofing" is the act of sending an e-mail to a
user falsely claiming to be a legitimate enterprise in an
attempt to scam the user into disclosing private
information. Government, financial institutions and online
auctions/pay services are common targets of brand spoofing.
Methods of transmission:
HTML e-mail
input form within an email or an e-mail providing a link to
a deceptive replica of an existing web page.
Characteristics:
The content
of a phishing e-mail is designed to trigger an impulsive
reaction from you. It can use upsetting or exciting
information, demand an urgent response, use a false pretense
and is not normally personalized.
Information at risk:
Social
insurance numbers, full name, date of birth, full address,
mother maiden name, username and password of online
services, driver’s license number, personal identification
numbers (PIN), credit card information (numbers, expiry
dates and the last three digits printed on the signature
panel) and bank account numbers.
Potential uses of your information:
Control of
victim's financial accounts, open new bank accounts,
transfer bank balances, apply for loans, credit cards and
other goods/services, luxury purchases, hide criminal
activities, receive government benefits or obtain a
passport.
How
to prevent:
Avoid
embedded links in an e-mail claiming to bring you to a
secure site. In some cases, the offending site can modify
your browser address bar to make it look legitimate,
including the web address of the real site and a secure
"https://" prefix.
If
you’re suspicious:
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contact
the enterprise by using a telephone number or website
obtained by a credible source and report
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never
e-mail personal or financial information
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use
anti-spyware, firewall and anti-virus software
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don’t
forget to update software on a regular basis
Are
you a victim?:
If you have
provided personal information:
Step 1. Contact all compromised card
issuers.
Step 2. Contact your credit bureau.
Step 3. Report the incident online at the
RECOL website.
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Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police |
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