Last Minute Online Shopping? Beware of Phishing Attacks

This month, thousands of Americans will scramble to find last-minute bargains online - on company time. While some eleventh-hour holiday shopping seems fairly innocuous, the IsUtility® Helpdesk warns frequenters of bargain sites of a growing hacking threat: Phishing.

Phishers frequently use low-cost shopping sites to embed malicious software

Phishing is an  attempt to criminally and fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.

Why is this a risk to your business? In addition to the threat of inadvertently allowing intruders access to confidential client files, your company's IP address now becomes known as a "spammer", which can prevent clients, vendors and others from receiving your e-mails.

'Phishing' Warning Signs:

• "Low-cost" sites. Most threats have come from 'bargain' sites
• Goofy Videos. These seemingly harmless videos take up bandwidth and may embed malicious software (malware)
• Watch your back.  Many nefarious threats occur internally - from within the company
  

  For more information on the latest online phishing attacks, check out this recent CRN article.