Most People Can't Identify Phishing Scams

Most people can't identify phishing scams

One of the reasons that phishing scams are successful is that although most people believe that they know how to identify these attacks, they often still don't recognize suspicious emails. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, new research from North Carolina State University seems to indicate that Internet users are over-confident in their ability to recognize a phishing scam.

The study, which looked at a group of 53 undergraduate students, found that although 89 percent of participants were confident that they could recognize a scam in their inbox, only 7.5 percent actually identified the phishing emails. In addition, more than 50 percent of students deleted an email that was actually genuine.

Phys.org recently reported that phishing scams are becoming more sophisticated, fooling even the most tech-savvy Internet natives. When the Associated Press had its Twitter account hacked in April, it was due to a complex phishing attack directed at one of the news source's staffers. The staff member received an email that appeared to be from a colleague, but the link contained in the message actually led the employee to a "keylogger" that tracked keystrokes and recorded the organization's Twitter password.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that this increased personalization of phony messages will only make it harder to identify scams. Phishers often pose as banks, government agencies or well-known retailers convince users to open the email and click on a link that either introduces a virus or leads to a fake website that is disguised as a legitimate source. That's why a password manager such as Sticky Password, which includes automatic form filling, can be so helpful - it won't supply your personal information to a deceptive landing page that isn't actually associated with the website you think you're using.

Example of a Phishing Scam:

Below is a Phishing Scam email that i received to my mail id in the name of giving "Financial Loan". Check it out,

Attn Everyone:
I got your details after an extensive online search. I am Mr RichardMoore of the Standford Financial Loan Firm has opened an opportunity toevery one in need of any financial help for Debt consolidation,personalloan,business loan etc, I give out loan to serious minded individuals. Myrates are very cheap and affordable. We also operate under short and longterm loans at 3%. I am God fearing and I have respect for my fellowhumans. Get to me today for that loan that you have always needed and getthe loan now.
Please note that this offer is opened to every serious mindedindividuals, firms and companies who wishes to obtain a loan to solvetheir financial problems like establishing new business, re-establishingold ones or pay debt etc. From this firm we operate on a 24hours serviceand we give our customers the best service because that is all we know howto do best.
We offer the following loans category;
* Personal Loan* Business Loan* Debt Consolidation Loan, etc
Minimum of $3,000.00 and a maximum of $90,000,000.00
Fill below if you are interested in our offer;
(1) Full Names:
(2) Contact/Mailing Address:
(3) State/Country:
(4) Amount needed as loan
(5) Loan duration:
(6) Occupation:
(7) Cell-Phone number:
(8) Monthly Income:
(9) Age:
(10)Sex
Contact our loan officer Mr Richard Moore inquiries;Email : sfinancials@kimo.com
Thanks,Richard MooreCEO

Another popular example of Phishing Scam mail is "Winning a Lottery". When you get a mail like this asking you personal details, Don't even think of replying them. Or else will be a victim of a Serious Scam! Just delete those mail.