By Bernard Pragides
Crime still doesn't pay, even if it's phishing. And although phishing may seem like a new word to many, especially with the latest updated Internet Explorer browser that is said to detect possible phishing activity on websites, it is an old term for old criminal activity involving technology.

With regards to computers and the Internet, phishing can include the following illegal activities (and more):

1. Attempts to gain private information like credit card numbers with expiration dates and other details to make false transactions later on with your credit.
2. Attempts to gain user ID and password information so that others can fraudulently use your account(s).
3. Attempts by an entity to purposely misrepresent a business or persona generally via electronic communications (like spoof emails, private messages or instant messages) but also over the phone, in order to commit fraud.

Early records of phishing activities show fake instant messages at AOL as unscrupulous persons posed as AOL representatives seeking to verify account information with unsuspecting AOL customers. When AOL customers logged in through the bogus links in their communications and entered sensitive information, or gave the info via instant messaging communications, their information was captured by the criminals. The fraudulent activity got so out of hand that finally AOL had to attach this statement to their communications, "No one working at AOL will ask for your password or billing information".

Phishing on the web quickly spread out through many channels with a focus on financial sites, with Paypal being one of the largest targets of continual phishing activity. Criminals try to duplicate the site and Paypal emails often complete with nearly official-looking headers and other Paypal graphics and website colors. Criminal activities include:

Emails sent to Paypal members asking them to sign in via a link in their bogus emails to update their account information, thus allowing the criminals opportunity to capture the user ID and password into their real Paypal account. Fake receipts sent via emails to Paypal members telling them someone has purchased something through their Paypal account, enticing the members to log in ‘through' the link in the bogus emails as above and give out private information. Fake emails to Paypal members that confirm an email address has been added to their Paypal account, scaring people into clicking on the bogus link in the email communications once again, as above, in order to capture private access information.

To avoid phishing activity as best you can, do not ever log into financial – or other online sites via email and other online communications. Always – ALWAYS - -access the site link yourself through the domain name and log in to your account to see if anyone has left you a message or performed any other activities as mentioned in the emails. Or seek the site's Support for more help.

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