Security Issues: Phishing, Pharming, and Spam

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Security IssuesPhishing, Pharming, and Spam

• By Robert Ralston

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Phishing

• Definition from http//www.onguardonline.gov/
• Phishing is a scam where Internet fraudsters send
  spam or pop-up messages to lure personal and
  financial information from unsuspecting victims.

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Pharming

• Norton Internet Security defines pharming as
• Pharming (pronounced farming) is another form
  of online fraud, very similar to its cousin
  phishing. Pharmers rely upon the same bogus Web
  sites and theft of confidential information to
  perpetrate online scams, but are more difficult
  to detect in many ways because they are not
  reliant upon the victim accepting a bait
  message. Instead of relying completely on users
  clicking on an enticing link in fake email
  messages, pharming instead re-directs victims to
  the bogus Web site even if they type the right
  Web address of their bank or other online service
  into their Web browser.

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Spam

• According to Norton
• Email Spam is the electronic version of junk
  mail. It involves sending unwanted messages,
  often unsolicited advertising, to a large number
  of recipients. Spam is a serious security concern
  as it can be used to deliver Trojan horses,
  viruses, worms, spyware, and targeted phishing
  attacks.

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Protecting Yourself From Phishing

• On Guard Online suggests many different ways to
  protect your computer and information
• Do not email private information
• Be careful when opening attachments, regardless
  of who sent them
• Update all antivirus and antispyware software
  regularly
• Do not reply to email popups
• If you think you have been scammed, report it on
  http//www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

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Protecting yourself from Pharming

• Norton suggests
• Keeping your computer updated
• Review bank statements carefully and regularly
• Remember that online offers that seem too good to
  be trueusually are.

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Controlling Spam

• Norton suggests
• Install a spam blocker
• Try reading emails in plain-text
• If you think email is spam, do not reply, just
  delete.
• Reject all Instant Messages from those not on
  your buddy list.

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Conclusion

• Using common sense and remaining vigilant while
  on the internet is important to ensuring your
  identity and information is safe.
• Companies such as Norton and government agencies
  are there to help solve any problems you may
  have.

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Sources

• http//www.symantec.com
• http//www.onguardonline.gov/
• http//www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/