Internet security software firm Sophos said it has
analysed all the phishing e-mails received by its threat analysis
centres around the world, and discovered that 54.3% of the messages
were aiming to steal log-in and other details from PayPal
users.
Sophos also found that 20.9% of messages were aimed at eBay
users. eBay owns PayPal, which allows eBay users and others to make
electronic payments.
Phishing e-mails are copycat messages made to look like they
have been sent from genuine organisations.
They typically try to persuade users to click on a web link that
leads to a fake website that looks like the real thing, such as the
PayPal site.
Once at the fake site, users are encouraged to input their
log-in details and personal information, which are then collected
by fraudsters.
Graham Cluley, Sophos senior technology consultant, said, “The
reason why the phishers focus so much on PayPal and eBay is because
they are so popular around the world.”
He said, “PayPal and eBay have worked hard to educate and
protect their customers from these kinds of attack, but the best
solution is for computer users to become more savvy about securing
their identity in the first place, and think before they
click.”
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