Support :: Security :: Fake Websites

What's the deal with Fake Websites?
Fake Websites (Phishing scams) where fraudsters send emails purporting to be from some trusted organisation i.e. a bank, credit card company, online shops etc. to thousands of people.

Often these emails will contain some bogus but apparently reasonable pretext to entice you to go to the site. Victims click on an embedded link in the email itself which takes them to a website that looks exactly like the real thing but is, in fact, a fake! The destination site is designed specifically to look exactly like the real site for the sole reason of tricking the unwary into divulging their personal information; credit card number.

What's the worst that can happen?

1. You could have your Identity stolen.
2. Your Bank or Credit Card account could be raided or used to make fraudulent purchases either online or in person.
3. Malicious software could be installed on your computer.

How to spot a fake email
Criminals can make an email look as if it comes from someone else. Fake emails can display some of the following traits:

1. The email you receive has come from a free email account i.e. yahoo, msn etc.
2. The email is sent from a different address than the one that you know to belong to the company the email purports to come from (if in doubt check).
3. The email that you receive does not use the contact details that the real company would use i.e. "Dear Sir" or "Dear Customer" instead of "Dear Your name" (check statements or other paperwork from the company to see how they normally address you).
4. The email you receive uses an image rather than text to contain written information (at the time of writing we are not aware of any legitimate organisation that would do this apart from logos etc.).
5. The images in the email contain links to sites other than the one belonging to the company that purportedly sent the email.
6. The email comes from a company that you would not normally expect to receive email from.
7. A request for personal information i.e. usernames or passwords.
8. A prominent website link. (be aware that website links can appear to be other than they are, fraudsters also use website domain names that are very similar to the real website address.)
9. A sense of urgency designed to make you act without thinking or hurriedly. i.e. your account will be lost if you do not take prompt action.

How to spot a fake website
There is no guaranteed way to spot a fake website but here are some indicators:

1. The website’s address is different from what you are used to, perhaps there are extra characters or words in it or it uses a completely different name or no name at all, just numbers.
2. You are asked to enter private information there is no padlock or other usual security icon in your browser window (see our security certificates page to learn how to identify a secure site).
3. A request for verification information that is not normally asked for (perhaps the login form if there is one looks different) i.e. full details where you are only asked for partial details. for instance where your bank may ask you for 3 digits from an 8 digit security number but on this site you are being asked to fill out your whole security number.

Although rare, it is possible for your computer to be corrupted by viruses in such a way that you can type a legitimate website address into your browser and still end up at a fake site. This technique is known as 'pharming'. Check the address in your browser's address bar after you arrive at a website to make sure it matches the address you typed. Small changes like a slightly changed address may indicate that a pharming attack is underway.

There are toolbars for popular web browsers that will warn you if the site you are looking at is might be a fake, however these do not promise 100% protection and common sense and staying alert are your best defences.

In a nutshell "If in doubt don't!" if you have any suspicions that things are not as they should be on the website you have visited call the bank or company that the website purports to belong to. If it is a fake website then they will be glad you called and if only for your own peace of mind so will you.

Linx Data Ltd. do not sell computers or computer peripherals, however as we are regularly asked by our clients and others what laptops, home or office computers are the best value for money.
Linx Data Ltd. Recommend Dell computers.

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Dell Desktop Inspiron™ 530 DT (D115001) | / Intel® Celeron® Dual-Core processor E1200 (1.60GHz, 800MHz, 512KB cache)/ Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium with Service Pack 1, 32-bit - English/ 160GB (7200RPM) SATA Hard Drive/ 1024MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x512]/ Dis ... £ 357.99

Linx Data Ltd. Recommend and Use Dell Computers exclusively.

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