Article: If you bank online -- you and your money are targets
Summary of key recommendations offered in the article:
1. Never click on URLs found in email
2. Call the bank directly if you are unsure of an email message
3. Keep AV and Firewall protection as up-to-date as possible
4. Go directly to your bank's site through your web browser
5. Notify the bank ASAP if you become a victum of phishing and follow all procedures
Article: If you bank online -- you and your money are targets
http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/4dpBNJKhD0VdlTbl2QT7Hwb
QUOTE: There could be a hyperlink in the body of an e-mail that you think is your bank's. An e-mail could contain a malicious program that follows your key strokes until you key in your bank password. Or, a weak system link may let a similar bug take advantage of your computer's ability to store Web addresses you frequently visit. When a familiar Web address automatically appears in the URL box, you're redirected to an imposter site seeking personal information.
An estimated $940 million was lost by consumers through phishing in 2005, says Gartner Inc., Stamford, Conn. Average loss per phishing case: $7,294, says Javelin Strategy & Research, Pleasanton, Calif