Paypal, banking security warning !
You most likely have heard this warning, but let me make it official !
Of interest to whom?
- Those with on-line bank accounts
- Those with accounts at ecommerce sites
- Those with accounts at Paypal specifically
Your access to the above mentioned accounts is sacred! Unfortunately there are initiatives on-going to take this information from you and drain your accounts. It happens very often! The best way to heed this warning is to describe the process and make you aware of its simplicity and its danger.
A security warning via email
Many banks and Paypal are victim to this. An email will be sent to all those with accounts at these banks and at Paypal. The email will look very much like the bank or Paypal, complete with logo, type and even return email addresses with @paypal.com or @royalbank.com ! The email will warn that "there has been a potential security problem and your account needs to be modified" They usually say that your password needs to be changed immediately. The email will then provide a link for you to click on.
The illegal link!
When you click on the link you are taken to a screen that looks EXACTLY like Paypal or your bank web site. You will be asked to log in. Here is where you run into HUGE trouble. If you notice at the top of your screen, you will see the website address listed like "190.220.232.1/something/something/paypalsecurity something...." or a strange domain that has nothing to do with your bank or paypal ... other than a mention in it near the end.
You have been taken to a strange, untraceable web site where they are trying to get your user name and password. If you enter your user name and password at this screen, the information goes immediately to the crooks. They will then IMMEDIATELY log into your account and transfer funds to temporary accounts they create and run.
Warnings
- Never follow an email link to a log in page... for any reason... be it banking, paypal or anything else!!!
- Never give out your user name or password to ANYONE. Banks, paypal and ecommerce sites NEVER ask for it other than when you yourself visit the site on your own accord by entering the domain name yourself in the address field above in your browser.
- Keep an eye out for weird account activity.
Solutions
- keep your username and password secret even to your cat.
- Report ALL emails to your bank or paypal etc. Again, NONE of these ligitimate places hit you with emails!
- Change your password regularly and do not keep it in Outlook or elsewhere electronic!
Of interest to whom?
- Those with on-line bank accounts
- Those with accounts at ecommerce sites
- Those with accounts at Paypal specifically
Your access to the above mentioned accounts is sacred! Unfortunately there are initiatives on-going to take this information from you and drain your accounts. It happens very often! The best way to heed this warning is to describe the process and make you aware of its simplicity and its danger.
A security warning via email
Many banks and Paypal are victim to this. An email will be sent to all those with accounts at these banks and at Paypal. The email will look very much like the bank or Paypal, complete with logo, type and even return email addresses with @paypal.com or @royalbank.com ! The email will warn that "there has been a potential security problem and your account needs to be modified" They usually say that your password needs to be changed immediately. The email will then provide a link for you to click on.
The illegal link!
When you click on the link you are taken to a screen that looks EXACTLY like Paypal or your bank web site. You will be asked to log in. Here is where you run into HUGE trouble. If you notice at the top of your screen, you will see the website address listed like "190.220.232.1/something/something/paypalsecurity something...." or a strange domain that has nothing to do with your bank or paypal ... other than a mention in it near the end.
You have been taken to a strange, untraceable web site where they are trying to get your user name and password. If you enter your user name and password at this screen, the information goes immediately to the crooks. They will then IMMEDIATELY log into your account and transfer funds to temporary accounts they create and run.
Warnings
- Never follow an email link to a log in page... for any reason... be it banking, paypal or anything else!!!
- Never give out your user name or password to ANYONE. Banks, paypal and ecommerce sites NEVER ask for it other than when you yourself visit the site on your own accord by entering the domain name yourself in the address field above in your browser.
- Keep an eye out for weird account activity.
Solutions
- keep your username and password secret even to your cat.
- Report ALL emails to your bank or paypal etc. Again, NONE of these ligitimate places hit you with emails!
- Change your password regularly and do not keep it in Outlook or elsewhere electronic!
posted by James McBeath at 7:51 AM
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