Computer security and protecting sensitive information is a concern here at Affinity, but should be a concern of all PC users.

You may have been prompted to “turn on phishing filters” when you accessed the internet on your computer recently. You may have selected to turn the filter on because it was “recommended” by Microsoft but wondered what is phishing (pronounced fishing)

Phishing is a form of identity theft – a way to steal your personal information including your credit card numbers, on-line banking passwords and even your Social Security numbers.

Just like a fisherman uses a lure that resembles an actual fish or insect to attract fish, a phisher creates phony websites that look very similar to the genuine sites. Then he sends you an official looking email with a link to his phony website. Once you are in the website, you may be asked to type in your username and password, Social Security number, credit card account number, etc. Just like a fish – you are hooked!

Now the phisher has the password to your account or he may download software (spyware or crimeware) on your computer to collect information without your knowledge. APWG (Anti Phising Work Group) reported the number of crimeware -spreading sites infecting PCs with password-stealing crimeware increased by 827% from January to December 2008. APWG suggests the following anti-phishing steps:

1. Don’t trust links in an email2. Never give out personal information upon email request
3. Look carefully at the web address. Phishers like to create web addresses that look very similar to the legitimate ones: http://www.welllsfargo.com or http://annazon.com.
4. Type the real address into your web browser
5. Don’t call company phone numbers in email or instant messages. Use a phone book or the numbers shown on your credit card statement
6. Don’t open unexpected email attachments.
7. Don’t disable your antivirus program. Let your schedule scans run

Simple steps may help you avoid becoming the victim of identity theft!