Phishing Definition

Surely you have ever heard of this Internet danger. Phishing is an attempt to obtain your personal or bank information through electronic communication.

The objective of this type of activity is to commit fraud, stealing personal data. Such as your card numbers or bank details, and impersonating your identity.

How Does it Happen?

 

One day checking your email, you realize that your bank sent you a message asking you to reply with your account details, your card information, your PIN, and your full name. The reason they often argue is account verification and even fraud prevention, ironic as it may seem.

In most cases. They ask you to click on a link that takes you to a page that is visually identical to that of your bank. When entering your data as you usually do.

What you are really doing is sending your information through a false page, which will not lead you to enter your account, but to deliver your data to a criminal.

Although the techniques criminals use are becoming increasingly sophisticated, it is also true that users have become increasingly adept at recognizing attempts to steal your information.

Still, the annual global impact of Phishing is estimate to be staggering, at around $ 5 trillion.

Who’s Behind Phishing

Criminals who want to steal your information to get money illegally. And it’s not just about thieves carrying out an isolated crime.

On the other hand, it is now known that most of the attacks come from wealthy criminal organizations that hire specialists and create increasingly sophisticated strategies to deceive the most vulnerable.

Stealing data has become a secure income for these types of organizations.

How to Protect Yourself from Phishing

To avoid being a victim of Phishing, here are some tips that can help protect you from these attacks :

Never click on links you received in the mail or that appear in an ad. Write the address of the site you want to visit directly in the bar of your browser. And to ensure that you will not be redirect to a fake site.

Request your bank statements always and check that there are no charges that you have not made.

If you receive a piece of mail from your bank or financial institution, and you have doubts about the integrity of the information, telephone directly, or go to the branch personally. Don’t answer the mail.

Your bank will NEVER ask you for personal or account information by mail. Report any attempt to obtain your data.

Check that the page where you enter your bank information is a secure address.It should start with https: // and a closed padlock should appear in the browser bar.

With criminals on the lookout, the best thing you can do is always be alert, informed, and use tools that provide security and protect your data.

There are some tools that alert you to possible risks and help you prevent attacks. They alert you if they find suspicious activity and help you create strategies to make your data safe.