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Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The internet is one of the best tools known to mankind to do basically whatever you want. But Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, Dropbox, Paypal, eBay, bank portals, and so many more sites have twins that are actually phish. A “phish” is a term for a scam website that tries to look like a site that you know might well and visit often. The act of all these sites trying to steal your account information is called phishing. While it’s very easy to spot some sites as a phish, others aren’t nearly as easy. Here are four different anti-phishing methods you can use so that you don’t fall victim to phishing. 1. Use a Custom DNS Service You need a DNS resolution service so that you can access all the sites that you go to. Your computer doesn’t automatically know where Facebook is (as far as its Internet address, or IP address, goes), so it needs to ask a DNS resolution service for that IP address. The good thing is, all Internet users have this service, thanks to their internet service provider. The bad news is that’s all they do. Aside from name resolution, the DNS servers at ISPs do nothing else. However, there are some custom and independent DNS companies that do more than just name resolution. They can also filter sites based on content and malware/phishing concerns. There are many out there that can do this, but the most popular one (last time I checked) is OpenDNS. Ads by Google IBM & Network Security ibm.com/exchange Proactively Identify Risks to Daily Business Operations. Get IBM Study. Download Network Monitor OpManager.ManageEngine.com Manage LAN, WAN, Bandwidth, VoIP used by over 8000 admins. Try now! Enterprise Security IronKey.com Unlike Any Other Flash Drive You've Seen - Better, Stronger, Faster! Environmental Programs RoyalRoads.ca/Environment Learn Sustainable Solutions to Complex Issues - View our Programs. 2. Use Your Browser’s Phishing List Did you know that modern browsers offer a phishing list? The browsers check the site you’re visiting against the list to see if it’s possibly a phishing site. If it is, your browser will start freaking out about it in your face like a good boy. For possible phishing attacks, why not throw out a big red page to warn you? 3. Use Sites To Check Links In case you’re presented a link but you’re not sure about clicking it, you can copy and check it on a number of different sites. These can tell you whether there’s something bad about these sites, including malware and phishing. Where can you find all these wonderful sites that do this for you? Try checking out one of our articles on the subject. 4. Use Your Own Ninja Skills This may sound like useless advice, but using your own skills to detect phishing sites can go a very long way as well, and may even protect you from phishing sites that haven’t made it onto any lists that would throw an immediate flag. There are a few things that you should look for to see if you’re being faked: Look for a secure connection. This is usually identified by a green area in the address bar, along with https in the URL. Look at the domain of the URL. If you don’t know what the domain of a URL is, here is an example: The domain of MakeUseOf is makeuseof.com, while the domain of PayPal is paypal.com, and so on. Look to see that the domain is as it should be, and not something bizarre. Look at the site itself. If it doesn’t look exactly like the site you’re always used to, it may be a scam site. You can double check by opening a new tab and visiting the main page of the site you think you’re on (if possible). If they’re quite different, then you’re more than likely dealing with a phishing site. Now that you’re equipped with these tips, you can take this handy little Phishing Quiz provided by OpenDNS where you are presented with screenshots of some websites. Some are real, while others are phish. You can take the quiz and see how well you do. Afterwards, you can see why a certain site is a phish and not real. Conclusion With these anti-phishing tools and tips, you are well equipped to spot phishing attempts and avoid them. Therefore, you’re much safer and your account information will remain private. If you feel enough like a pro, go and spread the word! The more people know how to spot phishing attacks, the better off they will be while surfing the internet. How do you detect phishing sites? Do you think it is getting easier or harder to identify them? Let us know in the comments! Image Credit: Shutterstock Ads by Google Tagged: phishing • protection • security • security tips 264 Share 98 Facebook 46 Twitter 13 StumbleUpon Email Danny Stieben Danny is a high school senior who enjoys all aspects of open source software and Linux. He is also a contributor for the Fedora Project. You can follow his Twitter account here.
3-part series infographic from the Best of CreditDonkey 2011 helps small business owners secure funding, get notice and experience success.
secure funding, get notice and experience success
Los Angeles, December 27, 2011
CreditDonkey, a credit card comparison site, announces a series of small business infographics to help entrepreneurs on the road from start-up to success.
- Securing Funding
Problem: The first hurdle that entrepreneurs face is obtaining adequate capital to get their ideas from a notepad to reality. If this is the individual's first business venture, they often are paralyzed from the fear of business financing, uncertain of their options and where to start.
Solution: "Small Business in America: Job Engine and More" illustrates the range of options available to small business owners to fund their startups, with 10.7% utilizing a loan and 10.4% utilizing a credit card. The infographic also offers tips to fledging entrepreneurs so they are confident to take the financing leap.
- Getting Noticed
Problem: "If you build it, they will come" doesn't really happen with business. Once the funding has been secured and the doors opened, business owners need to get the word out about their new venture. Traditional advertising can be costly and take months to start paying off.
Solution: "Social Media: Today's Key to Small Business Success" illustrates how in today's digital world, social media has become the simple (and inexpensive) solution for start-ups to gain attention. Many seasoned entrepreneurs have recognized the importance of social media, with 78% of respondents to a survey indicating that social media has been critical for their success.
- Experience Success
Problem: Every year, hundreds of thousands of small businesses close their door. Whether voluntary or due to financial failure, many start-ups never reach the level of success their owners envisioned. This is cause for bruised egos and crushed finances.
Solution: "What Makes Small Businesses Sink or Swim" reveals how many start-ups fail due to the business owner's lack of experience. Teaming up with a seasoned family member or mentor can help shorten the experience gap. Tips for success have been identified and shared through the infographic. By taking steps at the beginning of an adventure, entrepreneurs with little experience can increase their chances of success.
- Overcome Other Hurdles
Savvy entrepreneurs can visit CreditDonkey, a credit card comparison site, to make informed credit decisions. CreditDonkey publishes reviews, deals and tips to help small business owners save time and money while overcoming small business hurdles.
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