More phishing

Date: December 06, 2005
Source: nbr.co.nz


A new security survey shows that more than half of all New Zealand businesses have been targeted by phishing attempts.

Phishing, says security vendor Symantec, "is an attempt by a third party to solicit confidential information from an individual, group or organisation, often for financial gain. These attempts are often conducted through a web browser using social engineering. In many cases, the information gathered is used to commit fraudulent acts."

Usually, phishing involves tricking a user into thinking they've arrived at an online safe harbour -- an internet banking website, for example -- when it is actually only a mockup designed to collect any information provided while trying to log in.

But phishing attempts are just part of a much wider security threat landscape confronting New Zealand businesses this year, the survey said.

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