Phishing: Examples & It's Prevention Methods

What is Phishing?

Phishing, a term used in computer security, is a fraudulent attempt to scam internet users into giving out their personal and private information such as credit card details, social security number, PIN number, account username and password. Usually, phishing attempts appear through a look-alike of an established and legitimate organization, mimicking a trustworthy popular website. It is actually a fake website having a similar outlook as the valid site engaging in identity theft. Phishing is usually done through e-mails and can appear to be from any bank, credit card companies or an online store.


These are among the examples of common excuses given by phishers in an e-mail:

• They are about to undergo system update and maintenance, and so, you are required to give them your password in order for them to update your webmail.

• They are about to delete all accounts to create more spaces (for messaging service). To maintain your account, you are then required to fill in information such as username and password or else there is the threat of deactivation and losing of your account permanently!

• There are also false scam alerts that ask you to cooperate with them in fighting these scams. What they do is they require you to provide important information as an excuse to install a scam alert in your e-mail which is totally fake!

• Some (those mimicking banks and credit card authorities) require you to click on their links to verify your e-mail and access your bank account which is said to be done for protection purpose.

• Some claimed that your e-mail has been used to send spam mails and therefore your account is to be suspended. You are then required to confirm your ownership by replying their message with your personal information.

• Some even claimed that you have won some rewards such as a cruise or a lottery and you are asked to click on their link for more information regarding your prize.

• Others might con you through a disaster relief fund or perhaps a money scheme sham.

Examples of phishing e-mails:

eBay phishing mail

Maybank phishing mail

Skype phishing mail

Phishing is a common threat to all of us using the internet, and so, the best way to protect yourself from being phished is to learn how to prevent it.

Here are few tips on how to do it:

• NEVER click on links in an e-mail that request you to provide personal information no matter how trustworthy they may seem to look. With all the necessary credibility elements present, it can still be a scam. Remember!! A legitimate organization would never request such important information from you via the e-mail.

• Use an anti-virus software and update it on a regular basis. An anti-virus software might help in detecting phishing e-mails. Besides that, perhaps you could also do a regular scan of your computer from time to time.

• Install a personal firewall as well as the latest security update for your web browser and operating system. It is advisable to use a web browser that has a phishing filter, preferably Internet Explorer and Morzilla Firefox.

Always be careful and be alert to phishing mails!
Don’t let yourself be a victim of phishing!