If you have received a mail informing you that you are so lucky that you have won an x amount of money and in order to claim the same you have to click on the link, provided in the mail by following some simple steps. Beware. This is how phishing takes place. This phishing example also gives you an overview of what you should never believe. In fact these kinds of mails are to be deleted at the first instance.

Phishing is the act of criminally acquiring sensitive and confidential electronic information, usually of financial nature like bank account password information and/or credit card secret code information. Phishing scams are usually undertaken through emails or messages sent through the internet by a group of scamsters, often acting as representatives of the bank or card issuing organization. Users are caught in their trap if they respond to such emails or share and/or disclose confidential financial data.

Here is a Phishing email that my wife got from Suntrust bank. Its a beauty!

Talking of Internet, which everybody is using these days to do a lot of financial transactions, in our daily life as it’s the easiest way to get things done over the net, at the comfort of our homes and without having to stand in long queues and spending our time. But did you ever take out a minute to think how safe it is? Or, is it correct to put the details of your credit card, your SSN or your bank details in there?