What is phishing?
It is an email fraud used by internet criminals to fool consumers into providing them with confidential information.  

A typical phishing example
If you receive an unsolicited email, probably from an institution you know, with a link for you to contact the institution.

One of the excuses might be that the consumer needs to “update” the personal information for technical security purposes. 

Some of the people who receive said emails believe they come from a reliable source and click on it. The link takes them to a page that looks like the institution’s official website, but it is actually a fake.  The fake website asks for confidential information like: 

• Card information
• Bank account details
• PIN or password

The common use of information “fished” is to do fraudulent charges like online shopping, and withdraw money from your bank account.

Basic advices to avoid being phished

• Reject any email with a pop-up window requesting personal or financial information

Legit companies would never request sensitive information through emails.

• Keep your anti-virus updated and use a firewall.

Some phishing emails may have spy wares that install themselves in your computer and record all your activity, without you noticing it. 

• Never email personal or financial information.
• Emails are not a safe way to transmit personal information.
• When you receive bank or credit card statements, review them to make sure there are no unauthorized charges.
• Be careful with email attachments, they might contain viruses and other softwares that might compromise your computer’s security.