Phishing Pharming Spam

Phishing: Definition  A method of identity theft carried out through the creation of a website that seems to represent a legitimate company. The visitors to the site, thinking they are buying something from a real business, submit their personal information to the site. The criminals then use the personal information for their own purposes, or sell the information to other criminal parties.  Definition from Investopedia

Phishing: Definition  The practice of luring unsuspecting Internet users to a fake Web site by using authentic- looking with the real organization's logo, in an attempt to steal passwords, financial or personal information, or introduce a virus attack; the creation of a Web site replica for fooling unsuspecting Internet users into submitting personal or financial information or passwords  Definition from Webster’s Dictionary

Phishing: Dangers  Identity Theft  Bank account access  Website looks like it belongs to a major bank and requests personal information like a PIN number. Phisher then has access to a personal bank account  Personal information

Phishing: Protection  Don’t respond to unsolicited s requesting personal information  Make sure the correct URL is displayed in the browser

Pharming: Definition  A hacker's attack aiming to redirect a website's traffic to another (bogus) website. Pharming can be conducted either by changing the hosts file on a victim’s computer or by exploitation of a vulnerability in DNS server software.  Definition from Wikipedia

Pharming: Dangers  Harder to spot than phishing  Works in the background  Makes your browser show you are at an actual site  Identity Theft  Bank account access  Personal information

Pharming: Protection  Add an additional layer of authentication to servers  Check for server certificates

Spam: Definition  Unsolicited , often of a commercial nature, sent indiscriminately to multiple mailing lists, individuals, or newsgroups; junk .  Definition from the American Heritage Dictionary

Spam: Dangers  Less dangerous than phishing and pharming  s can contain viruses  Can clog up accounts

Spam: Protection  Use filters  Spam blocker software