Don't get hooked by phising.
Recently, I received an email from eBay saying that my password
needed to be reset. What they wanted was for me to follow the link
in the email and fill out the information requested. Fish on!!! --
for just a split second. Although everything looked official (they
even had the eBay logo in the email), fortunately, it hit me that this could be
anyone asking.
What happened to me is termed "phising"
and it is getting more and more prevalent lately. A mass mailing is
sent out informing the recipients that something is wrong with their
settings or password at <fill in the blank for any pass-worded
service you use on the internet> and in order to continue using the
service, they MUST log on to the link in the email. There, they are
generally asked to provide their current logon information and set
up new logon information.
Of course, no logon information is
changed, but what has happened is that the user has given some
unknown entity their logon information to their email, or their
bank, or their credit card, or, or, or.....
Most institutions that require
secure identification have a standing policy stating that they do
not call or email customers asking for personal information. If you
do happen to get a "real" notice of a problem with settings or a
password change requirement, the sure way to make sure you are
getting to web site you think you are, is to actually type the
address into your browser - DO NOT follow a link in an email!
For further information,
follow this link (you won't be asked for ANY personal information!)
to MSN.
Speaking of fishing, I think I
hear a rod and reel calling my name, maybe I can get a real 'fish
on'.
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