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Washington, DC—In observance of National Cyber Security Awareness Month in October, the National Consumers League (NCL) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) have partnered to warn consumers about new computer-based scams threatening their bank accounts and other sensitive personal information. The Washington-based advocates are focusing their efforts on how consumers can protect themselves from the evolving tactics that are used for online “phishing” scams. Phishing is when ID thieves trick people into providing their social security numbers, financial account numbers, PIN numbers, mothers’ maiden names, and other personal information.
In the newest form of phishing, called “pharming,” a virus or malicious program secretly planted in a consumer’s computer hijacks the computer’s Web browser. When a consumer unknowingly types in the address of a legitimate Web site, they’re taken to a fake version of the site without realizing it. Any personal information provided at the phony site, such as passwords or account numbers, can be stolen and fraudulently used.
“People want to be able to use their computers and go online with confidence,” says Susan Grant, Director of the National Consumers League’s National Fraud Information Center and Internet Fraud Watch programs. “Phishing, pharming, and other sneak attacks erode that confidence and need to be combated with all the tools at our disposal, including educational information about how people can keep better control of their computers and their privacy.”
To arm consumers with the information they need to recognize online phishing and prevent it, NCL is partnering with the National Cyber Security Alliance to release new tips that include advice about keeping computers secure from phishing attacks. The tips are on both the www.fraud.org and www.staysafeonline.org Web sites |