Image: Phishing. adampop, Flickr.
Would an Ebay representative threaten to close your account lest you submit $150? Would Amazon normally offer you $100 free store credit? Would your favorite clothing store usually give you 80% off on fall clothes purchases? Chances are, if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is!
If you’re surfing the web and you encounter something feels “phishy” or suspicious, take note! If an offer seems too good to be true, forget it! Some of the most common phishing scams target Internet users that blindly click and submit personal information, so make sure to be mindful of the way design and information are presented — before you click.
Phishing sites often try to replicate the “look and feel” of an existing site. They attempt to lure people into using phony websites that look just like the authentic sites of larger companies, organizations, or agencies that they are impersonating. Because we conduct meaningful transactions online every day, ranging from making simple purchases, to paying bills, to even paying taxes, it’s important that we’re alert to subtle changes on websites that we normally use. These deviations might be link names, header titles, text, or layout of a site.
So, take note and be careful when perusing the web. Unfortunately, a growing strategy for attackers is playing on the innocence and ignorance of Internet users.
