OT, about how to prevent Phishing...I was phished!

[Jac]

Hi everyone...as some of you know, my computer email was hacked and they sent out a bunch of stupid TV advertisements...I think that is ALL they did...I hope!
But, I have learned some things...I always thought that when I got a pop up saying that my computer is at risk, I should just shut the computer down...but they sometimes make you panic because it all happens so fast. So, here is what you should do if you ever get a pop up that scares you into thinking that your computer is at risk...

Be wary of pop-up and email warnings

Don't believe every warning you read — especially pop-up warnings that you see while you're surfing the Web. Unscrupulous companies use pop-up ads to display false warnings about your computer. Ignore them.

Do NOT click any button in the pop-up (such as a "Close" or "No" button) or the Close box that may appear in the upper-right corner of the pop-up. Closing a pop-up in that way might actually install a virus or other malicious software on your computer. To close a pop-up ad, press Ctrl-W (if you're using a Windows computer) or Command-W (on a Mac computer). You may receive an email warning that claims to be from a computer "expert" warning you of a virus. These are usually hoaxes. Do not follow the steps described in any email unless you're sure the threat is real.

Now, in addition, I think that the way they got my email was to send me a fake Yahoo log in page...here is what Yahoo says about that:

What is phishing?
Fraudsters send fake emails or set up fake web sites that mimic Yahoo!'s sign-in pages (or the sign-in pages of other trusted companies, such as eBay or PayPal) to trick you into disclosing your user name and password. This practice is sometimes referred to as "phishing" — a play on the word "fishing" — because the fraudster is fishing for your private account information. Typically, fraudsters try to trick you into providing your user name and password so that they can gain access to an online account. Once they gain access, they can use your personal information to commit identity theft, charge your credit cards, empty your bank accounts, read your email, and lock you out of your online account by changing your password.

[MaxandMe]

EXCELLENT POST JAC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOW PHISHING has been around it oringinally on internet started with HOTMAIL accts then moved to Paypal accts
etc
TAKE JAC'S WARNING.........and if you're ever unsure the email is real go to the MAIN WEBSITE/ACCOUNT PAGE VIA
INTENET EXPLORER (OR WHATEVER YOU USE to access internet) and ACCESS YOUR ACCOUNT THAT WAY AND
NEVER via a email !!!!!!

JUST like if ANYONE FROM YOUR BANK calls FOR checking/savings or credit card they do NOT ask you to veryify your account #
that is read to you NOR ask you for the 3 digit pin on the back of the card. and you RUN to your bank and/or call them if it happens
so you can report it and not be liable for fraudulent charges.

JAC i once was going to do my computer scan and wasn't it murphy's laws that one of those pop up ads happened at the very same time
and i tried to close it out that HOAX window ----that was back in 2002? i was never able to use that computer again! grrrrrrrrrrr

again thank you JAC

[MaxandMe]

OH another techinique they use also to make sure they get a LIVE EMAIL is you get some bogus email
and it says to click to say NO or if you want to be removed from their advertisement list
JUST ignore it, delete it.........if you say NO then they know they have a GOOD LIVE PERSON's email , as you confirmed it.

you can always Right Click an email address and see if you recognize it.....if you don't delete it!
ME? I tell both personal and business to put their PERSONAL NAME in the subject line so i know it's them
otherwise it's deleted!

[Jac]

Thanks, Annmarie, for adding this good info...

My situation was a little different. I NEVER open emails that look suspicious and I never click on the links, unless I know the person who sent it (and if they have written something so I know it was them)...

BUT...this was NOT an email! You know when sometimes your login expires, after you have asked to be remembered it lasts for maybe 2 weeks and you need to sign in again? Well, that is the screen I got! It was NOT an email...it was a screen that looked EXACTLY like my Yahoo sign in...except that I thought it was odd that I didn't have my picture that identifies my account...duh! Still, I logged in...and I am sure that my log in and password went to them!

So, I have changed my password and I hope that these guys were low motivation guys just selling televisions!

One thing that got me, a few years back, was a pop up that was in red, flashing, warning that my computer was infected, did I want to do a scan to clear it...well the pop up LOOKED just like a McAfee format...still I didn't click on anything but the X to close the box, thinking I'd run a scan on my own...because I have heard that these are phishing...I was told that when you get these, the best thing to do is shut the computer down if they won't turn off (because they don't, they start running a scan, really fast!) So, I hit the X to exit, but it didn't go away and I shut down my computer.

According to Yahoo, clicking even on the X lets them have a portal to your machine! That is why I posted this...these guys are so tricky. According to Yahoo, if you get these ads, you should hit control W (if you are on a PC, Mac is different)...I don't know what happens after that.

But it all happens so fast that you can't remember the control W...so I wrote it on my keyboard.