1. P HI SH I NG !

2. WHAT IS PHISHING ? In computer security phishing is trying to acquire important information such as; passwords, usernames and credit card details by pretending to be someone or something important and trustworthy. Phishing is normally done via email or instant messaging, tricking people to entering their details on a false but almost identical website.

3. HOW IS PHISHING PERPETRATED ? When phishing is perpetrated via email, the criminal sends out a large number of messages that appear to come from a legitimate source such as a trusted business or financial institution.

4. HOW TO AVOID PHISHING ! How can you tell the difference between a phishing scam and a legitimate email or website? Unfortunately, phishing scams are becoming more and more sophisticated and increasingly difficult to identify. However, there are several strategies you can use to recognize phishing scams.

5. INTERESTING FACTS ! An estimated fifty-nine million phishing e-mails are sent each day. About one in every six of those e-mails are opened. In 2006, about 109 million U.S. adults received phishing e-mail attacks, compared with 57 million in 2004. The average loss per victim in 2006 was $1,244, compared with $257 in 2004. Victims recovered an average of 54 percent of their losses in 2006, compared with 80 percent in 2004.