Archive for April 15th, 2006

Recommended Tool for Spotting Spoofed Web Sites

Posted in All Posts, Anti-Malware Tools, mini-reviews, Online Security, Privacy, Safe e-Commerce, Scams, Security Tools on April 15th, 2006

As noted in the previous post, even the best of us can be fooled by a well designed spoofed web site. 

The Netcraft Anti-Phishing Toolbar offers an extra line of defense against spoofed sites.  It will block access to known phishing, spoofed web sites, and assign a risk rating to other sites.

This is a very good tool and is highly recommended.

It can be found at: http://toolbar.netcraft.com/

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Would You Detect a Spoofed Web Site?

Posted in All Posts, Online Security, Scams on April 15th, 2006

Phishing emails and spoofed web sites often work in tandem to fool a user into revealing sensitive information. 

Would you be able to spot one if you saw one?  According to a recent study, most people would not. 

This study (see source below) details why, and has some good suggestions as to what to do about it. 

Excerpt:

This study illustrates that even in the best case scenario, when users expect spoofs to be present and are motivated to discover them, many users cannot distinguish a legitimate website from a spoofed website. In our study, the best phishing site was able to fool more than 90% of participants.

Source:

“Why Phishing Works”

The best defense:  Never click on any link in any email warning of some problem with an account or any similar ruse.  If you are concerned about your account, type the correct address into your browser, and check the account in question, or simply pick up the phone and call customer service.

 

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