What is phishing?

 

  • Transcript

    URGENT:

    Your password was successfully reset

    (JK, it’s an infographic about phishing)

    If you have an email address or cellphone number, chances are you’ve received a phishing message. And you’re not alone: phishing is the third most common scam affecting Canadians today.

    Phishing is a cyber criminal’s attempt to get sensitive information by pretending to be a legitimate sender like

    • GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS
    • STREAMING SERVICES
    • BANKS
    • ONLINE STORES
    • PHONE PROVIDERS
    • PEOPLE YOU KNOW

    PHISHING IS VERY COMMON

    1 IN 99 EMAILS ARE A PHISHING EMAIL

    1 in 25 BRANDED EMAILS ARE PHISHING

    AND VERY EASY TO FALL FOR

    1 IN 10 CANADIANS SAY THEY’VE REPLIED TO PHISHING MESSAGES UNKNOWINGLY

    Phishing comes in all shapes and sizes

    • SMISHING - SMS OR TEXT MESSAGING
    • SPEAR-PHISHING - PERSONALIZED, TARGETED MESSAGES
    • WHALING - MESSAGES TARGETED AT EXECUTIVES
    • SPOOFING - FORGED WEBSITES OR PHONE NUMBERS

    6.4 BILLION PHISHING EMAILS ARE SENT EACH DAY

    DON’T TAKE THE BAIT

    • READ AND RE-READ - Double-check the message and sender for anything strange.
    • DON’T CLICK SUSPICIOUS LINKS - Don’t’ download unknown files either.
    • NEVER SHARE YOUR PASSWORD - Never, ever, but especially over email or text.

    It doesn’t hurt to be cautious. If you’re suspicious of a message, call the person or organization using their trusted number to double-check if the message is legit.

    GET MORE TIPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR DEVICES AT GETCYBERSAFE.CA

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