December 2008

FBI warns of cyber crimes, scammers

The joy of the holidays doesn't deter crime. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, criminals may find more avenues to commit those acts this time of year as online communication and shopping increases.

The agency this week issued a release to warn people that criminals are finding more ways to steal money and personal information via the Internet this holiday season.

Following are ways to reduce the chance of falling victim to a scam.

* Do not click on links in unsolicited e-mail and do not respond to unsolicited e-mail (spam). In the greeting card scam, recipients are sent e-cards, some of which may appear to be from a family member or friend. The mail would then require the person to click a link to retrieve the card and could take the victim to a malicious Web page. Malware is designed to infiltrate or damage a computer without the user's informed consent.

* Log on to official Web sites instead of linking to them from an unsolicited e-mail. Spoofing scams are used to steal personal information and occur when criminals create a false or shadow copy of a Web site or e-mail. Network traffic between the victim's browser and the shadow page are sent through the spoofer's machine, including credit card numbers and other personal information.

* Avoid completing forms in e-mail messages that ask for personal information. Phishing and vishing attacks happen when a person gets an e-mail reporting a problem with an account. The person is then asked to follow a link to update the account or fix the problem. The link would actually direct one to a fraudulent Web site where PIN numbers and other information could be compromised.