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Suspicious messages
Take a look at the following SMS message. Would you suspect anything phish-y?
For the unaware, 'SCB' is commonly known as the acronym for Standard Chartered Bank, one of the bigger banks in Singapore.
Suppose you indeed have a bank account with SCB, and read the message prompting you to click on a link to secure your account. What are your immediate reaction? Not surprisingly, for people who are ignorant about phishing as a method used by cyber criminals, they may feel compelled to immediately click the link provided, thinking that they will be guided subsequently to the login page of their account...
Another example of a phishing site (related to DBS - another prominent bank in Singapore).
What is Phishing?
In short, phishing is a criminal act where victims are lured to a fake website where personal information is obtained fraudulently. The offender in most cases would then use the personal information to commit unauthorised login or transactions into the victim's account without his knowledge.
Other than banking websites, it is also possible for other types of websites such as email accounts, social media accounts or school-related accounts (such as iEMB) could be exploited as well. Imagine being 'paralysed' by the inability to access your accounts!
Potential losses/damages include:
Money stolen from your bank account
Purchases made from your credit/debit card which are made by the criminal (so more money!)
Locked out from your personal accounts causing distress (e.g. unable to send messages)
Loss of personal online artifacts (e.g. photos, social media posts, etc.)
Loss of privacy and confidentiality
An example of a phishing site using Google's login page.
How to protect yourself against phishing?
Do not click on any links you received without first thinking whether there is a legitimate need to do so.
Look out for tell-tale signs such as spelling and grammar errors, or suspicious looking URLs.
Verify with other sources or search online if there are similar encounters shared by netizens.
You are also encouraged to read the news regularly so that you are constantly updated about new modi operandi of such criminal activities, and to share what you experience or read with your loved ones so that they are also aware of the potential dangers.
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