The second you connect to the internet you put yourself at risk. Scary thought, but we tend to forget just how vulnerable we are and the easy targets we become when we’re not careful about our safety on the internet.
As an internet user you expose yourself on a daily basis to malicious software and the possibility of data theft. This includes phishing. Phishing scams use bogus e-mails and Web sites that seem legitimate but are actually designed to trick users into revealing personal and financial information. Computer criminals can then use the data to spy on or blackmail users, hijack their online accounts (including bank accounts), spread rumors, or operate under the victim’s identity.
According to our local Stellenbosch ABSA branch there are still some Stellenbosch University staff who fall prey to cybercriminals by clicking on phishing emails. To make sure you don’t become a victim, read more on phishing on IT’s self help wiki.
SOURCE: www.cnet.com
Tags: email, malware, online security, phishing