what the hell is phishing?

hutton · 07-23-2008, 06:41 PM

I know what fishing is but what the hell is phishing? Is it pronounced the same? Since I am going to buy a desktop computer soon maybe its something that I have to worry about. I probably sound like a novice when it comes to computers and computer technology which is exactly what I am.

ShortGirl2 · 07-23-2008, 06:51 PM

Yes, phishing is pronounced just like fishing.

Phishing is where 'hackers', or people with a bad purpose, will impersonate sites such a bank, PayPal, etc. They will usually send you an email, which sounds very 'official', telling you that there's been some type of problem, and that you should click the link and go to the site to fix the problem. Now IF you do that, the site you arrive at will look exactly like the site (bank, PayPal, etc), and if you put in any information, it will be going to the 'hackers' and NOT to bank, PayPal, etc.. because it's not really their site. For this reason, you shouldn't EVER click on a link in an email such as this! A reputable site isn't going to ask you do to that!

just a noob · 07-23-2008, 11:05 PM

basicly its an operation to get your information over the internet, so if your going to be getting rid of your old computer, try to destroy the hard drive

GameMaster · 07-23-2008, 11:37 PM

Also, an Administrator or Technician will never send you an e-mail. That's to remember.

There are ways to protect from phishing. One way is a phishing filter. IE has one installed, Mozilla too.

Another way is a common sense. If you receive an e-mail, if you're not sure in its' legality, check with some other people ( or here ). If you don't receive an e-mail but just a link to the site, always look at the address bar. Most hackers use free sites like 110mb or t-35 and the address will never be short.

07-23-2008, 06:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
hutton New Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 15	what the hell is phishing? I know what fishing is but what the hell is phishing? Is it pronounced the same? Since I am going to buy a desktop computer soon maybe its something that I have to worry about. I probably sound like a novice when it comes to computers and computer technology which is exactly what I am.

07-23-2008, 11:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
just a noob Diamond Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: shivington, stilwater Age: 1 Posts: 1,802	basicly its an operation to get your information over the internet, so if your going to be getting rid of your old computer, try to destroy the hard drive __________________ celeron 350@500mhz 128mb of sdram 350 watt psu 8mb ati rage pro 20gb 7500 rpm seagate Last edited by just a noob; 07-23-2008 at 11:08 PM.

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07-23-2008, 06:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
ShortGirl2 Bronze Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 34	Yes, phishing is pronounced just like fishing. Phishing is where 'hackers', or people with a bad purpose, will impersonate sites such a bank, PayPal, etc. They will usually send you an email, which sounds very 'official', telling you that there's been some type of problem, and that you should click the link and go to the site to fix the problem. Now IF you do that, the site you arrive at will look exactly like the site (bank, PayPal, etc), and if you put in any information, it will be going to the 'hackers' and NOT to bank, PayPal, etc.. because it's not really their site. For this reason, you shouldn't EVER click on a link in an email such as this! A reputable site isn't going to ask you do to that!