Police on Facebook warn against a new attempt at computer scams targeting ING DIRECT account holders. Here's how to defend yourself
Phishing, a word that has only one meaning: computer scam. It is a technique that aims, with deceptive tools, to make the unlucky ones fall into the trap of hackers. The primary objective of cyber criminals is to get hold of users' personal data, especially banking data.
Generally, phishing is manifested by the arrival of an email or SMS. With the advent of smartphones, then, hackers have begun to flood instant messaging apps as well. There are several scams circulating on WhatsApp or Facebook. The message text, which in sophisticated cases impeccably replicates the style and formatting of a bank or credit institution, is accompanied by a link that directs victims to a site similar to the original one, from which hackers then try to steal data. As in the case revealed by the State Police, which warns against a new attempt of bank phishing.
Bank phishing: the alarm of the Police
Once again to launch the alarm the Police has used the Facebook profile "Commissariato PS Online -Italia", where it shows the scam engineered by hackers. This time, the hackers targeted account holders of ING DIRECT, an online bank. The victims receive a worrying message. They urgently need to update their accounts. As expected, the message includes a link to a fake copy of ING DIRECT's mobile site.
The page asks victims to enter their personal information, including PIN number, customer number, date of birth and phone number. Obviously, this is just a shady phishing attempt, through which the hackers hope to steal the banking credentials of the victims.
Although it is very easy to unmask - banking institutions usually use regular mail for important communications - still many users, especially those who are unfamiliar with phishing, take the cyber criminals' bait.
How to defend yourself against bank phishing
The best way to defend yourself against bank phishing is to pay attention to the messages you receive. If in doubt, it is advisable to call directly the branch of the bank where you opened the account. Never reply to suspicious emails, but delete them immediately. It is very important, then, not to click on the usual malicious link and above all avoid revealing your personal data easily.