Hacking For Beginners – Manthan Desai

2010

21. Beware Of Common Internet Scam/Frauds

The term Internet Scam or Internet Fraud refers to any type of fraud scheme uses one or more online services toconduct fraudulent activities. Internet fraud can take place on computer such as chat rooms, e-mail, messageboards, or Web sites. In this post I will discuss about some of the conducted scams and frauds across theInternet.

1. Phishing Scam

This is one of the most commonly used scam to steal bank logins and other types of passwords on the Internet. Phishing isthe criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and creditcard details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Phishing is typically carried out bye-mail or instant messaging.

Example: You may receive an email which claims to have come from your bank/financial institution/online serviceprovider that asks you to click a link and update your account information. When you click such a link it will take you to afake page which exactly resembles the original ones. Here you’ll be asked to enter your personal details such as usernameand password. Once you enter your personal details they will be stolen away. Such an email is more than likely the type ofInternet scam known as "phishing”. Phishing is said to be highly effective and has proved to have more success rate sincemost of the common people fail to identify the scam.

Most legitimate companies never request any kind of personal/sensitive information via email. So it is highlyrecommended that you DO NOT respond to such fraudulent emails. For more information on phishing visit my detailedpost What is Phishing?

2. Nigerian Scams

This type of scam involves sending emails (spam) to people in bulk seeking their help to access large amount of moneythat is held up in a foreign bank account. This email claims that in return for the help you’ll be rewarded a per centage ofthe fund that involves in the transaction. Never respond to these emails since it’s none other than a scam.

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