By now, info about malware, ransomware, and phishing has probably made its way into your consciousness. That’s because it’s a growing (and expensive) problem. It’s designed to trick the most discerning technical eyes AND it’s confusing, especially when you’re not technical. It’s a double-edged sword; and anyone can be a victim.
It’s deceptive, inconvenient, and it costs businesses millions each year: basically, it’s crime. In an effort to “upgrade the user”, there’s a ton of good educational info out there intended to help you recognize & prevent attacks. But do you ever wonder if anyone with any clout is doing anything to prevent it? What if you suspect you’re the victim of an attack? The organizations listed below are dedicated to helping:
• Forward phishing emails to spam@uce.gov – and to the organization impersonated in the email. Your report is most effective when you include the full email header; so it’s important to include it if your aiming to make a difference. Problem is, most email programs hide this information. To find and include the email header, check out this resource, which provides instructions for most popular email apps.
• If you think you’re the victim of an attack, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov/complaint. If you’re reporting cybercrime, we recommend you categorize your claim under ‘Internet Services, Online Shopping, or Computers.’ From there, the online complaint assistant on their site will guide you through the filing process.
• Visit Identitytheft.gov. Victims of phishing could become victims of identity theft. Identify the warning signs & follow the steps on this site to minimize your risk.
• You can also report phishing email to reportphishing@apwg.org. The Anti-Phishing Working Group includes Internet Service Providers, security vendors, financial institutions & law enforcement agencies working together to report and combat phishing.
