Don’t fall victim to malicious phishing tactics! Learn here what it is, how phishing works, and the best ways to protect yourself against it.
Online frauds are common these days. You have to agree the fact that it is happening in an insane manner. We are actually expose to it in one way or another. The only thing that matter is- Are you equipped to handle it?
From identity thief to hacking into your account, there are a number of ways a criminal can get a hold on you. Whether you like it or not, these thing is only going to get worst. The best way to handle it, is to know how it works.
Some of the factual data related to cybercrimes can be found in numbers. Last year, there were more than 50 million passwords stolen in just a couple of months.
Phishing is one such type of cybercrime in which attackers attempt to steal sensitive information, such as usernames and passwords, from unsuspecting victims by disguising themselves as trusted sources. This article will explain how phishing works and provide tips on how to avoid it.
What is Phishing?
The word phishing came from fishing. We lure fishes with baits and let it believe that everything is just fine. Likewise, criminals use phishing tactics to lure the victims into giving out their personal details.
Phishing is a type of social engineering attack used by criminals to gather personal information from unsuspecting victims. The attackers disguise themselves as trusted entities and send out messages, either through email or text, that contain malicious links.
These links direct victims to fake websites where the attackers can collect their sensitive information. It’s important to recognize the signs of a phishing attack in order to protect yourself from falling victim to such techniques.
Phishing And Bank Account.
Though there are a number of ways to deploy phishing attack. The most common ways found in financial sector is Smishing, Vishing and email Phishing.
As a bank account holder, you might get these type of phishing attacks. Knowing them would be advantage over handling such issues.
Smishing uses text messages embedded with harmful links. When you click in these links, you will be directed to sites where your personal data can be collected.
Primary motive of Vishing is same as Phishing, but it involves voice calling. You may get spoofed calls, the person sitting on the other end of the line may impersonate reliable source such as your bank official. In actual he is a fraudster looking for victims.
Email Phishing is a type of phishing where you get the harmful links over email. Once you click the link, it will direct you to other malicious site where your personal data would compromised.
These 3 types of phishing is common to those people who maintains bank account. The primary motive is to get access to your account and steal your money.
How Do Scammers Deploy Phishing Attacks?
Scammers often use phishing emails, text messages, or phone calls as a way to deploy their attacks. These are meant to appear legitimate and will usually contain links that direct the recipient to malicious websites where their personal information can be collected.
They may also claim that there is a need for urgent action, such as providing login credentials or reacting to false emergencies in order to get people to respond quickly without verifying the legitimacy of the request.
How Can I Protect Myself from Phishing Attacks?
Protecting yourself from these schemes requires you to remain vigilant and aware of your digital actions. Be sure to verify any requests for personal information or login credentials by contacting the sender directly via a method other than the one they contacted you with.
Additionally, keep your computer and mobile devices updated with the latest security software, including anti-virus or anti-spyware programs. Lastly, always be mindful when clicking on suspicious links—avoid clicking anything unless you have certainty that it is legitimate.
Tips To Identify Phishing Attacks
| 1 | SMS embedded with links. Not all links are harmful but SMS with a link are normally considered spam message. Smishing acts the same way. So it is better to stay away from messages with links. |
| 2 | Emails are flooded with spam. There is a high chance of getting email phishing. Open only those mails you are 100 percent sure. |
| 3 | URL should be https where ‘s’ stands for a secure site. Links without ‘s’ that is http is suspicious and it is better not to provide any personal data. You can check the certificate of the site too. Normally harmful site do not have active valid certificate. |
| 4 | Never search for customer helpline on search engine. You may end up meeting the fraudster instead of the employee of that particular company you are expecting. |
| 5 | Always follow what your bank advise you. It is clearly written in any kind of agreement be it when opening a bank account or availing digital banking product. Bank employees never call to its customers asking for private and confidential details. |
Latest Trends in Phishing Attacks
Some of the most popular tactics used in phishing attacks today include using identical logos, graphics and website designs from legitimate online sources.
This is done to give the unsuspecting victim a false sense of security when on the fraudulent website. They also use ‘spoofed’ emails that mimic messages from trusted organizations.
If you receive an email looking suspicious, check for misspellings, incorrect domain names or other irregularities that are not associated with the legitimate organization it is pretending to be from.
How to Report a Suspected Phishing Scam
If you think you have been a victim of phishing, or believe you have identified a phishing scam, it is important to report it as quickly as possible. Depending on the nature of the scam, there are a few different steps to take.
For example, if the attack appears to be related to identity theft or fraud, contact your local police department and file a report. You should also immediately report any suspected cybersecurity related threats to the appropriate government agency, such as the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, India.
Additionally, if the phishing attack took place via email, you can forward suspicious messages to their corresponding companies for review.