The Internet has become the symbol of electronic communication across the world, but in this "sea" of communication there lurks many sharks. This analogy is used since there is a technique called "phishing", which attempts to lure people through the method of offering money, sometimes relatively large sums, in order to get your personal information.
Phishing, spelled a little differently than the word of "fishing" that we are all used to seeing, has become a more common practice than most people would like to admit. Since the Internet is a global communication system, you may be tempted by an offer that originates in Europe, Asia or Africa. Messages are worded to appeal to the American target and if the bait is taken, serious financial problems, such as identity theft, will result.
Some of those who originate the phishing, utilize counterfeit federal government or well-know companies logos and titles to convince the one who receives the message that it is authentic. The messages that are sent are not specifically sent to any one person, but rather programmed messages that are sent out in volume through the use of a computer program. After all, the more "lines" that are in the water (on the Internet), the better the chance to catch something. Lately, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) name and logo has been used to solicit important information through Internet messages. This request asks for money and for your Social Security number.
FIRST RULE: NEVER GIVE OUT IMPORTANT PERSONAL INFORMATION OVER THE INTERNET OR OVER THE TELEPHONE, ESPECIALLY ON E-MAILS OR TELEPHONE CALLS THAT YOU DID NOT ORIGINATE. EVEN IF THERE IS A DEMAND OR THREAT MADE TO YOU ABOUT CLOSING YOUR BANK ACCOUNT OR SOME OTHER THREAT, DO NOT GIVE THE INFORMATION OUT.
THIS INFORMATION INCLUDES SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS, BANK ACCOUNT NUMBERS, PASSWORDS ON INTERNET ACCOUNTS, CREDIT CARD NUMBERS AND THE LIKE.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND REPUTABLE COMPANIES WILL NOT ASK FOR THIS TYPE OF INFORMATION OVER THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE.
Another continuing Internet scam plays on the sympathy of people. It involves relating how a person passed away and to retrieve funds that person had set aside, you are requested to send your bank account number to someone on the promise that you will get a large amount of money placed in your account, some of which you will get in return. Supposedly, the funds will be transferred to your bank account, but in effect your account will be emptied of whatever funds it has in it. Very often, this type of scam originates in an African country or another country outside of the United States.
SECOND RULE: DO NOT OPEN ANY MESSAGE FOR READING THAT YOU DID NOT ORIGINATE. TO ORIGINATE A MESSAGE, IT IS MEANT THAT YOU HAD SENT A MESSAGE TO A COMPANY OR FEDERAL AGENCY ABOUT A PROBLEM YOU HAVE. EVEN IN THIS INSTANCE, DO NOT PROVIDE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION SUCH AS DESCRIBED IN RULE ONE.
SOMETIMES, THOSE WHO SEND VIRUSES OVER THE INTERNET PUT A PROVOCATIVE TITLE ON THE MESSAGE SO THAT YOU GET CURIOUS AND OPEN THE MESSAGE FOR READING. WHEN YOU OPEN A MESSAGE LIKE THAT, YOUR COMPUTER WILL BECOME INFECTED. DELETE THESE TYPES OF MESSAGES WITHOUT OPENING THEM FOR READING. IF SOMEONE LEGITIMATE HAS SENT THE E-MAIL, THEY WILL CONTACT YOU MORE OPENLY SO THAT YOU CAN IDENTIFY THE MESSAGE.
Some of the "tools" you should have on your computer to repel some of these threats would include junk mail software, virus checking software and computer firewall software. These tools and others often come bundled in software generally identified as "Internet Security" software. Even though you may have this software installed, you still have to be on the alert if something sneaks through. Scammers are continually updating their methods and it takes a while for software companies to identify and counter the threat. You should continually update your Internet software and companies offer updates on a regular basis which will counter the more recent threats. It is easier to prevent a virus from getting on your computer than it may be to remove it later.
In fact, there are items called worms and trojan horses, along with viruses, that can literally destroy the information on your computer hard drive. Some of these get into your system and lie dormant until a certain time or a certain date and at that time or on that date, you will begin to notice some problems.
RULE THREE: IF YOU LIKE TO VISIT "CHAT" ROOMS OR OTHER INTERACTIVE ON-LINE SITES, YOU WILL ALSO BE SUBJECT TO INQUIRIES AND REQUESTS FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION. IT IS BEST TO NOT USE YOUR OWN NAME, BUT RATHER A MADE-UP USER NAME ON CHAT ROOMS. CHAT ROOMS CAN BE INFORMATION GATHERING PLACES TO CONTACT YOU VIA E-MAIL OR OTHER MEANS. BY USING A USER NAME, OTHER THAN YOUR E-MAIL NAME, YOU CANNOT BE CONTACTED.
IT IS BEST NOT TO USE YOUR NAME AS ALL OR PART OF YOUR INTERNET ADDRESS. IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH FOR A SCAMMER OR HACKER TO LATCH ON TO ANY PIECE OF INFORMATION THAT THEY CAN USE.
Constant vigilance while on line, the use of user names and a regular program of virus and general system checking will reduce your chances of encountering any sharks while "surfing" the Internet.
George R. Wilken
Communication/Public Relations Chair
Arkansas Federation of NARFE
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