IT -- From Fishing To Phishing, Goal Is Same - Hook Something!

By Jeff Slack

Phishing. When I was growing up, I would have told you the word was spelled wrong. Fishing was done with a pole, line, a hook and bait. The idea was to relax in the outdoors and possibly obtain a tasty meal. Often, the bait was an innocent worm -- which has also taken on a nefarious definition -- will be discussed at another time.

Today, the term "Phishing" is defined by Wikpedia as "the act of sending an e-mail to a user, falsely claiming to be an established, legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft." It's the same idea . . . Uncrupullous individuals are fishing for your personal data. E-mail, however, isn't the only media used by phishers. Since their purpose is to obtain (i.e. -- steal) personal information on people for identity theft, they will try any method -- including going through your garbage. This isn't a highly technological method to use but it works for them. In fact, attorney general from several states have come across evidence in identity theft investigations that people in this country illegally -- working under the radar -- are being used to literally piece and tape together sheets of personal information that people tear once or twice and carelessly toss into the traash.

Other phishing methods used are conventional telephones (pre-recorded messages that tell you you've won something and ask for personal data to transfer your winnings) and postal mail.

The best defense against the phishers is to constantly be way of even the most innocent sounding scams, and careful in every way not to let anyone unknown have your personal information. When using the internet, each one of us needs to be sure of who we release information to -- either in email, instant messaging or the web sites we visit. Above all, find a way to verify that the recipient to whom you are sending information is indeed who you think they are. The scammers, unfortunately, are very good.

Be careful out there!!!

Jeff Slack is president of Amaxx Inc., a full service information technology and telephony solutions provider, headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. Email: jslack@amaxx.com.