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What is Phishing and how do I identify and avoid it?
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What is Phishing?
Phishing is a type of cybercrime and is a fraudulent attempt to access your sensitive data such as credit card details, bank account information, and password through forms of electronic communication.
Where do these phishing scams occur and what are the types of phishing?
Through electronic communication such as email, text messages, fake websites, social media, and even direct calls. The phishers try their best to replicate the look of a legitimate website.
- Email Phishing is the most common type of phishing. It imitates a legitimate organization or person and sends multiple emails to multiple people and tricks people into clicking a certain link that steals your sensitive information.
- Spear Phishing is a method that attackers use to directly target people or employees. These types of emails are personalized to make the victim believe that they are associated or have a connection with the sender.
- Whaling is a type of phishing that targets senior executives, the CEO of a company, or any high-level executives with access to more sensitive information than lower-level employees. The emails contain statements about legal lawsuits regarding the company of the victim and contain malicious links or attachments to learn more about the issue.
- Smishing is phishing through SMS or text messages. The attackers send a text message that contains links that might be disguised as a coupon or offer a chance to win something.
- Vishing is voice phishing. Victims are being exploited via text messages and done using phone calls. A vishing call often relays an automated voice message from what is meant to seem like a legitimate institution, such as Shopee.
- Social Media Phishing is when the attackers use social networking sites to access your sensitive data and lure you into clicking malicious links.
Why do we fall for Phishing scams?
Phishers employ tactics that manipulate how we think. They may send an email claiming to be a reputable banking firm and ask you to submit your personal information.
Example Scenario: The user won an iPhone/free voucher from a certain promo.
Here are ways to identify the Phishing Method or Prize Scams:
How to avoid getting hooked into phishing scams
Update your devices regularly and install additional security software.
Do not download anything online that you suspect to be dangerous.
Use multi-factor authentication.
Always question the information asked of you and contact the actual organization to help intervene.
What are other ways to keep my personal information secure?
Properly dispose of personal information on the packaging material from your orders. You can cut up or blacken your information with a marker to keep your personal details safe.
Learn about Data Privacy and the 11 Privacy Tips to Protect Your Data.
