Phishing Schemes 

Phishing schemes are traps laid down by phishers via Internet and email. Phishing schemes are also known as phishing scams. All you need to know about phishing is explained in this article.Scams are designed to lure customers into releasing their confidential information like bank account details and password etc. This is done usually by persuading them to click on a link or follow a website link where they are prompted for everything from credit card PIN numbers to social security numbers and other financial details.

Phishing schemes are used as the bait to grab confidential information about an organization or its customers. Such schemes typically send emails, which appear as if it was coming from genuine organization. In recent years phishing schemes have created havoc for organizations. The techniques used have become more sophisticated and more ominous.

It is quite common for a layman to fall a prey to phishers sending spoofed emails that appear to come from the genuine organization like bank, with a message appearing as official business matter. Actually the message seems harmless but the attachment often carries Trojans or viruses that could harm the computer network if the mail is opened. In many cases, victim may be spoofed by the culprit to provide password or other confidential information that could be used for his own benefits.

Innocent people may get trapped in these phishing schemes easily due to lack of knowledge of basic security principles and a lack of education about the proper security precautions. Many times even it is difficult for experts to keep up with the latest attack tools and techniques.

Tips To Protect Yourself From Phishing Scams

Always be alert and skeptical. It is better to be a cautious. Unless you are sure that a particular message is geneuine, assume it is not. You should never provide your username, password, account number, social security number or any other confidential information via email and you should not reply directly to the email.

If the user is doubtful about e-mail, he should close his e-mail client, close all browser windows and open a new browser. If there's anything wrong with his account, he will receive a message at the site. If you receive malicious script from phisher close all mail readers and browsers.

If anyone is asking you to furnish your confidential information via Internet and email, then simply delete the email and pick up the phone to confirm it.

Phisher's Dummy Websites 

Never click a suspicious link, which may direct you to phisher's dummy Website.When your receive bank statement or credit card statement, scrutinize them closely. Verify the transactions given in the statement. If you face any problem contact the bank or credit card company immediately.

If you receive emails that seems to be a part of phishing scam or even seem suspicious you should report them to the Anti-phishing Working Group (APWG) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) . You can't blame the organizations that are targeted by phishing scams. In many cases the suffered organization will accept the responsibility for money lost by their customers.

Things to be remembered by organizations 

Organizations that are concerned about their customers being attacked with phishing scams should regularly publish their policy on protecting customer's interest. One thing should be remembered by the organization is that never ask the customers for their userID and password. They should have a strict policy about it. Phone scammers and phishers take advantage of this thing.Keep your web application on server secure. Use firewall to protect your server and customer's interest in you.

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