Page-jacking
Page-jackers copy pages from an established website and put them on a new site that appears to be legitimate. They register this new site with major search engines, so that users doing a search find and follow links to it. When the user arrives at the website, they are automatically redirected to a different site that displays advertising or offers of different services.
Page-jacking annoys users and can confront them with offensive material. It also reduces revenue for legitimate websites, and makes search engines less useful. In some cases, page-jacking can be used for “phishing” (see next page). You cannot be affected by page-jacking if you use a bookmark or “favourite”, or type the website address (the URL) in directly.
Mouse-trapping
If you are redirected to a bogus website, you may find that you cannot quit with the back or close buttons. This is called mouse trapping. To escape, type an address in the “Address” field, use a bookmark, or open the list of recently-visited addresses and select the next-to-last. To regain use of the back or close buttons, close the browser or restart the computer.
Phishing
Phishing is the use of bogus emails and websites to trick you into supplying confidential or personal information.
Typically, you receive an email that appears to come from a reputable organisation, such as a bank. The email includes what appears to be a link to the organisation’s website. However, if you follow the link, you are connected to a replica of the website. Any details you enter, such as account numbers, PINs or passwords, can be stolen and used by the hackers who created the bogus site. You should always be wary about following links sent to you in emails. Instead, enter the website address in the “Address” field, or use a bookmark or a “favourite” link, to make sure that you are connecting to the genuine site. Anti-spam software will also help to block phishing email.
Chain letters
An electronic chain letter is an email that urges you to forward copies to other people.
The main types of chain letter are:
- Hoaxes. Chain letters have warned of terrorist attacks, scams involving premium-rate phone lines, and thefts from ATMs. All were either deliberate hoaxes or urban myths.
- Fake freebies. Some letters falsely claim that companies are offering free flights, free mobile phones, or cash rewards if you forward email.
- Petitions. These are usually petitions against proposed legislation. Even if genuine, they continue to circulate long after their expiry date.
- Jokes and pranks. The “Internet cleaning” letter claimed that the internet would be closed for maintenance on 1 April.
Are chain letters really a problem?
Chain letters don’t threaten your security, but they can:
- Waste time and distract users from genuine email.
- Create unnecessary email traffic and slow down mail servers.
- Spread misinformation.
- Encourage people to send email to certain addresses, so that these are deluged with unsolicited mail.
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