Phishing is a type of email designed to steal your valuable personal data, such as credit card numbers, passwords, account data, or other information. Look out for the following phrases if you think an email message is a scam:
"Verify your account." Businesses should not ask you to send personal information or passwords through email.
"If you don't respond within 48 hours, your account will be closed." These messages convey a sense of urgency so that you'll respond right away, and not check to ensure it's a valid email.
"Dear Valued Customer." Phishing email messages are usually sent out by the thousands or millions, and may not include your first or last name.
"Click the link below to gain access to your account." The links may contain all or part of a real company's name, and usually take you to a phony website.
To protect yourself, install Microsoft’s Phishing Filter, and ensure your antivirus and antispyware software is updated regularly.
Posts
