Account Security: Avoiding Phishing Sites

Modified on Tue, 9 Jan at 5:19 PM

Phishing or Fishing sites are fake websites or emails created by scammers or hackers to steal personal information, mostly passwords, codes, and credit card details to access the victims' accounts. 


These phishing websites usually impersonate the user interface and URL of real or official websites so that they can steal users' passwords when they input and unknowingly share their account details. The hackers or scammers will then gain access to the users' accounts.


How to avoid these criminal websites and what to look out for!


1. CHECK THE URL

Phishers tend to have a similar UI/UX as the original website where they redirect users to their pages for users to account information. They are highly skilled in imitating the page as the real thing. However, the URL is a part where users can check if it is the original website or not (they may be similar but never the same). Please check carefully before you enter your details, otherwise, your data could be leaked.


2. LOOK FOR HTTPS

The "S" signature in "HTTPS" means "secure". It is a security protocol to ensure that your account details will not be phished by the website. You can simply notice this in your address bar. This is one of many ways to identify fake websites but not always.


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3. AVOID INSTALLING UNTRUSTED SOFTWARE AND PLUGINS

Your information could be leaked by your current applications and software installed in your system or devices. These problems may occur if you install software from unofficial websites and do not have an antivirus on your device. This software may record your information when you input your personal details on a website. Then it sends the information to others in the network without you noticing.


To avoid such an issue, we recommend you to install a legit antivirus program and clean your computer regularly.


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