1. Chapter 7 Phishing, Pharming, and Spam

2. Phishing Phishing is a criminal activity using computer security techniques. Phishers try to acquire information such as usernames, passwords, social security numbers, credit card numbers ect. Phishers often contact people by instant messenger or email by acting like a reliable electronic communication source. Identity theft is commonly a result of phishing.

3. Pharming Pharming is a hacker’s attempt to redirect a website’s traffic to another website. Anti-virus software and spyware removal software do not protect against pharming. Pharming has become a concern to online bankers because it is an attempt to steal personal information. Pharming has caused a concern in identity theft.

4. Spam Spam is defined as unsolicited junk email. Spam email is often sent to the bulk box of your email. Other types of spam include instant messaging spam, spam in blogs, cell phone messaging spam, and web search engine spam. The danger involving spam is it directs you to a website that tries to get you to give them personal information.

5. Protecting Yourself Protect yourself by being careful where you enter your personal information. Make sure the website you are entering your information is credible. Ignore pop-ups. Do not click on email that has a questionable email address or an address that you do not know.