Phishing attacks use email or malicious websites to infect your machine with malware and viruses in order to collect personal and financial information. Cybercriminals attempt to lure users to click on a link or open an attachment that infects their computers, creating vulnerability to attacks. Phishing emails may appear to come from a real financial institution, ecommerce site, government agency, or any other service, business, or individual. The email may also request personal information such as account numbers, passwords, or Social Security numbers. When users respond with the information or click on a link, attackers use it to access users’ accounts.
HOW CRIMINALS LURE YOU IN
The following messages from the Federal Trade Commission’s OnGuardOnline are examples of what attackers may email or text when phishing for sensitive information:
• “We suspect an unauthorized transaction on your account. To ensure that your account is not compromised, please click the link below, and confirm your identity.”
• “During our regular verification of accounts, we couldn’t verify your information. Please click here to update and verify your information.”
• “Our records indicate that your account was overcharged. You must call us within 7 days to receive your refund.”
• To see examples of actual phishing emails, and steps to take if you believe you received a phishing email, please visit “
Play hard to get with strangers. Links in email and online posts are often the way cybercriminals compromise your computer. If you’re unsure who an email is from—even if the details appear accurate—do not respond, and do not click on any links or attachments found in that email. Be cautious of generic greetings such as “Hello Bank Customer,” as these are often signs of phishing attempts. If you are concerned about the legitimacy of an email, call the company directly.
Think before you act. Be wary of communications that implore you to act immediately. Many phishing emails attempt to create a sense of urgency, causing the recipient to fear their account or information is in jeopardy. If you receive a suspicious email that appears to be from someone you know, reach out to that person directly on a separate secure platform. If the email comes from an organization but still looks “phishy,” reach out to them via customer service to verify the communication.
Protect your personal information. If people contacting you have key details from your life—your job title, multiple email addresses, full name, and more that you may have published online somewhere—they can attempt a direct spear-phishing attack on you. Cyber criminals can also use social engineering with these details to try to manipulate you into skipping normal security protocols.
Be wary of hyperlinks. Avoid clicking on hyperlinks in emails and hover over links to verify authenticity. Also ensure that URLs begin with “https.” The “s” indicates encryption is enabled to protect users’ information.
Mashambulizi ya Phishing hutumia barua pepe au tovuti zenye madhara kuambukiza mashine yako na programu hasidi na virusi ili kukusanya habari za kibinafsi na za kifedha. Wahalifu wa mtandao hujaribu kuwashawishi watumiaji kubonyeza kiungo au kufungua kiambatisho ambacho huambukiza kompyuta zao, na kuunda uwezekano wa mashambulizi. Barua pepe za udanganyifu zinaweza kuonekana kuja kutoka kwa taasisi halisi ya kifedha, tovuti ya ecommerce, shirika la serikali, au huduma nyingine yoyote, biashara, au mtu binafsi. Barua pepe pia inaweza kuomba habari za kibinafsi kama vile nambari za akaunti, nywila, au nambari za Usalama wa Jamii. Wakati watumiaji wanajibu na habari au bonyeza kiungo, washambuliaji hutumia hiyo kupata akaunti za watumiaji. "Kama vile ""Uhalifu"" unavyokushawishi, ujumbe unaofuata kutoka kwa Tume ya Biashara ya Shirikisho ya Marekani (FTC) ni mifano ya kile washambuliaji wanaweza kutuma barua pepe au ujumbe wa maandishi wakati wa kutafuta habari nyeti: ""Tunashuku shughuli isiyoidhinishwa kwenye akaunti yako." Ili kuhakikisha kwamba akaunti yako haijaathiriwa, tafadhali bonyeza kiungo hapa chini, na uthibitishe utambulisho wako. • Wakati wa uthibitisho wetu wa kawaida wa akaunti, hatukuweza kuthibitisha habari yako. Tafadhali bonyeza hapa ili kusasisha na kuthibitisha habari yako. • <unk> Rekodi zetu zinaonyesha kwamba akaunti yako ilichukuliwa zaidi. "Kama unajua, ""Kupokea barua pepe ya udanganyifu"" ni moja ya njia za kuepuka kuwasiliana na watu wasiojulikana." Mara nyingi, viungo vilivyo katika barua pepe na machapisho ya mtandaoni ni njia ya wahalifu wa kompyuta kuharibu kompyuta yako. Kama huna uhakika ambaye barua pepe ni kutoka - hata kama maelezo kuonekana sahihi - si kujibu, na si bonyeza viungo yoyote au viambatisho kupatikana katika barua pepe hiyo. Kuwa makini na salamu generic kama vile <unk>Hello Benki Mteja,<unk> kama hizi ni mara nyingi ishara ya majaribio ya udanganyifu. Ikiwa una wasiwasi juu ya uhalali wa barua pepe, piga simu moja kwa moja kwa kampuni. Fikiria kabla ya kutenda. Uwe mwangalifu kuhusu mawasiliano yanayokuomba utende mara moja. Barua pepe nyingi za udanganyifu hujaribu kuunda hisia ya uharaka, ikisababisha mpokeaji kuogopa akaunti yao au habari ziko hatarini. Ikiwa unapokea barua pepe ya mashaka ambayo inaonekana kutoka kwa mtu unayemjua, wasiliana na mtu huyo moja kwa moja kwenye jukwaa tofauti la usalama. Kama barua pepe inakuja kutoka shirika lakini bado inaonekana <unk>phishy,<unk> kufikia yao kupitia huduma ya wateja kuthibitisha mawasiliano. Linda habari zako za kibinafsi. Ikiwa watu wanaokuwasiliana wana maelezo muhimu kutoka kwa maisha yako - jina lako la kazi, anwani nyingi za barua pepe, jina kamili, na zaidi ambayo unaweza kuwa umechapisha mtandaoni mahali fulani - wanaweza kujaribu shambulio la moja kwa moja la uvuvi. Wahalifu wa mtandao wanaweza pia kutumia uhandisi wa kijamii na maelezo haya kujaribu kukudanganya kuepuka itifaki za kawaida za usalama. Jihadharini na viungo vya juu. Epuka kubonyeza viungo vya hyperlink katika barua pepe na kuruka juu ya viungo ili kuthibitisha uhalisi. Pia hakikisha kwamba URL huanza na <unk>https.<unk> <unk>s<unk> inaonyesha encryption imewezeshwa kulinda watumiaji<unk> habari.