Customer Security Management dramatically reduces banking fraud
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phish (fĭsh)  intr.v. phished, phish·ing, phish·es To request confidential information over the Internet under false pretenses in order to fraudulently obtain credit card numbers, passwords, or other personal data. [Alteration (influenced by phreak) of fish.] |
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| Main Entry: | phishing |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | the practice of luring unsuspecting Internet users to a fake Web site by using authentic-looking email with the real organization's logo, in an attempt to steal passwords, financial or personal information, or introduce a virus attack; the creation of a Web site replica for fooling unsuspecting Internet users into submitting personal or financial information or passwords |
| Example: | 1996; as in 'fish' for users |
| Etymology: | phish, v; phisher, n |
| Main Entry: | phishing |
| Part of Speech: | n. |
| Definition: | See phish |
Phishing
A method of identity theft carried out through the creation of a website that seems to represent a legitimate company. The visitors to the site, thinking they are buying something from a real business, submit their personal information to the site. The criminals then use the personal information for their own purposes, or sell the information to other criminal parties.
Investopedia Commentary
A classic example of phishing is an identity thief setting up a website that looks like it belongs to a major bank. Then, that thief sends out many emails that claim to be from the major bank and request the email recipients to input their personal banking information (such as their PIN) into the website so the bank may update their records. Once the scammer gets a hold of the needed personal information, they attempt to access the victim's bank account.
Related Links
Identity Theft: How To Avoid It
Investment Scams Tutorial
See also: Credit Report, Deceased Alert, Identity Theft, Skimming
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phishing security
("brand spoofing", "carding", after "fishing") /fishing/ Sending e-mail that claims to be from some well-known organisation, e.g. a bank, to trick the recipient into revealing information for use in identity theft. The user is told to visit a web site where they are asked to enter information such as passwords, credit card details, social security or bank account numbers. The web site usually looks like it belongs to the organisation in question and may silently redirect the user to the real web site after collecting their data.
For example, a scam started in 2003 claimed that the user's eBay account would be suspended unless he updated his credit card information on a given web site.
(2006-01-19)
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