Skip to main content

Phishing, Pharming May Soon Be a Phloop

HERE'S a bit of good news, especially if you’ve been phished and pharmed to death. Perimeter eSecurity has launched a new suite of identity protection services to discover and thwart phishing and pharming Web sites.

A phishing attack starts with a fraudulent e-mail directed at a banking services customer. You know the type because we all get them. I’ve gotten the e-mails that ask me to look over my account by returning vital information so it can be checked for accuracy. Never give away vital information of any kind. Your bank will never ask for it, especially by e-mail.

An e-mail appears to come from the customer’s financial institution and contains a URL or Web site link that, when clicked on, takes the account user to a phishing Web site. The account user is then directed to enter their account number, username, password or PIN.

Your bank will never do this, but the criminals use this information along with the customer’s ID to steal funds, commit fraud or otherwise attack the instititution. Pharming attacks redirect legitimate traffic to a fake Web site so hackers can gain access to customer’s usernames and passwords.

This is no small event. According to Kevin Prince, CSO of Perimeter eSecurity, 59 million phishing e-mails are sent out worldwide each day. Ninety percent are targeted at financial institutions. The attacks are becoming increasingly personal because hackers will go to any length to convince end users that an imitation e-mail or Web site is real.

Prince said hackers will even use your security vendor or a federal organization as bait. Fraudulent phishing and pharming sites need to be taken down immediately to stop further attacks and damage.

We would like to know what’s on your mind. Feel free to send a letter to the editor.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.