Look Both Ways: Help Protect Your Family on the Internet

Because Arthur uses online banking, which occasionally asks him to change passwords when accessing his account, he was annoyed but not alarmed when an e-mail message asked him to change his password again. Without thinking, he gave a fraudulent site his bank account number and online password, enabling a criminal to transfer funds out of Arthur's account and into his own.

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Chapter 10, "Step 7: Understand Risks of Fraudulent Communications and Protect Yourself," discusses safety issues you should be aware of when using your e-mail account.

What Is Phishing?

Phishing (pronounced "fishing") is one form of online scam that often begins with an e-mail, instant messaging, or a pop-up message. These are often very convincing faked messages that look as though they were sent from a legitimate organization such as your bank, utility company, or a retail business. These messages inform you that there is a problem or an opportunity that requires your immediate attention. They ask you to "validate" your identity by providing personal information, such as your social security number, credit card number, password, or bank account information, on a Web site that looks legitimate but is actually a clever fake. Once the criminals have your information, they use it to steal money and/or your identity.

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There are a number of great Web sites where you can learn more about phishing and even test your skill at spotting fakes, including www.mailfrontier.com/forms/msft_iq_test.html.

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