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Phishing

Phishing is the term for a practice that involves sending emails that claim or suggest that they have been sent from a legitimate / genuine company when really they haven’t. The emails try to trick the recipient into giving away personal details such as date of birth, account details, PINs, or credit / debit card numbers. Many phising emails contain links that look as though they will open a browser window on a genuine well known website when in fact they take you to a different website or even to a website that looks just like the real thing but is really a fake website.

Always remember that banks and shops will never email you and ask for personal details such as those listed above. If you receive an email that asks for such information, it’s almost certain the email is a scam and responding could lead to you becoming the victim of identity fraud or theft.

If you receive an email you think might be a ‘phising’ email, don’t reply to it and don’t click on any of it’s links.

To be extra safe, it’s best to avoid clicking on links in emails from any company or bank. Instead, open your internet browser and go to the company / bank’s home page directly.

The links below will provide more information about phising and what to do if you think you might be the victim of such a scam.

Links and contact details

Name: Home Office – Staying Safe Online Pages
Web: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime-victims/how-you-can-prevent-crime/staying-safe-online/
Email:
Tel:
Info: Lots of helpful advice on staying safe online. Lots of info also on avoiding identify theft.

Name: ThinkYouKnow
Web: www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Email:
Tel:
Info: Website developed by by the team at the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre. Lots of info on staying safe online.

Name: Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) – Report an issue
Web: http://www.ceop.gov.uk/reportabuse/index.asp
Email:
Tel:
Info: Info on reporting something that you are concerned about online.

Name: DirectGov – Staying Safe Online pages
Web: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/CrimeAndJustice/KeepingSafe/DG_10027670
Email:
Tel:
Info: DirectGov is a government developed website. It offers loads of info and contact details on a wide range of issues.

Name: Cardiff University – Stay Safe Online Pages
Web: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/insrv/it/help/safe/index.html
Email:
Tel:
Info: Cardiff University – Stay Safe Online Pages – loads of info on staying safe on the web.

Name: Home Office – Staying Safe Online Pages
Web: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime-victims/how-you-can-prevent-crime/staying-safe-online/
Email:
Tel:
Info: Lots of helpful advice on staying safe online. Lots of info also on avoiding identify theft.

Name: AVG Anti-Virus
Web: http://free.avg.com/download-avg-anti-virus-free-edition
Email:
Tel:
Info: Popular free anti-virus software. you can download the software from the link above. AVG also offers paid for anti-virus packages – see the website for a list of the differences between the free product and the paid for product.

Name: ZoneAlarm
Web: http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/compare-anti-virus-spyware-software.htm
Email:
Tel:
Info: Free Firewall downloads.

Name: Windows Defender
Web: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx
Email:
Tel:
Info: Free anti-spyware program from Microsoft.

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