1. How It Applies In A Virtual World

2. Phishing Definition: n. To request confidential information over the Internet under false pretenses in order to fraudulently obtain credit card numbers, passwords, or other personal data.

3. The term originated in the mid 1990s in connection with AOL Phishing is usually done through fake emails or through instant messaging. The user is prompted to provide important information about bank accounts or credit card numbers through emails and sites that look legitimate, but are actually fake. Their information can then be used to commit identity theft. What is Phishing? When Did it Start?

4. Is It Illegal? It is illegal to commit Identity theft. It is not illegal to ask the user to volunteer their personal information. It is not illegal to send you an important looking message in order to prompt the user into volunteering the wanted information. Therefore phishing is only illegal once the information is used to commit identity theft.

5. How Does This Affect The Common User? How can you spot a phishing scam? Anyone can fall victim to phishing, so every internet user must use caution when volunteering private information. Make sure that your connection is secure. Signs that an email or site is not authentic: Misspelled domain names (ex. www.yohoo.com) www.yohoo.com It has variations of domains as well (ex. www.yahoo-security.net)www.yahoo-security.net Don’t trust an email that leads you to a website that only shows an IP address (IP address ex. 102.199.60.250.)