Internet scammers casting about for people’s financial information have a new way to lure unsuspecting victims: They go “phishing.”

Phishing is a high-tech scam that uses spam or pop-up messages to deceive you into disclosing your credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), phishers send an email or pop-up message that claims to be from a business or organization that you deal with – for example, your Internet service provider (ISP), bank, online payment service, or even a government agency. The message usually says that you need to “update” or “validate” your account information. It might threaten some dire consequence if you don’t respond. The message directs you to a Web site that looks just like a legitimate organization’s site, but it isn’t. The purpose of the bogus site? To trick you into divulging your personal information so the operators can steal your identity and run up bills or commit crimes in your name.

The FTC, the nation’s consumer protection agency, suggests these tips to help you avoid getting hooked by a phishing scam:

The increase of voice-over-Internet (VoIP) communications has provided the next level of spam threat known as Spam over Internet Telephony (SPIT). The new threat possesses major potential from a spammer’s point of view. SPIT represents a whole new venue with the ability to move from email to telephony, bypassing all existing email spam protections.

SPIT calls are difficult to detect. Although caller ID may reveal the source of the calls, it is a lot easier to spoof a VoIP call than it is a standard phone call. The spammer, or “spitter”, simply spoofs the caller ID to make it seem as though the call is coming from a trusted third party, such as a bank. Then, the spitter can trick the recipient into revealing personal information, such as passwords or account numbers.

“Many consumers have already received SPIT calls stating their ‘vehicle warranty is expiring’ and they need to contact a certain number,” said Monique Rogers of ARRC Technology.”

SPIT will be worse than ordinary spam for a number of reasons. Regular spam arrives in your email server, where it can be analyzed by antispam technology and filtered out before it reaches your email box. SPIT on the other hand, goes directly to your phone. And, you will not know you have received SPIT until you answer and possibly revealed personal information.

Consumers are encouraged to contact The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Centre (IC3) at www.ic3.gov to file a complaint or report violations.

8 Tips for More Effective E-Mails
reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center

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We remind our clients when it's time to renew their anti-virus subscription. We think it's helpful and it's good customer care. But sometimes our clients say, "I have no viruses. Why do I need to keep paying for the subscription?"  Our answer is: Because you have no viruses.

Anti-virus software, especially enterprise-level suites like Symantec Anti-Virus, work well at keeping viruses at bay. This can make it seem like viruses have gone away – if you never see them, maybe they aren't there, right? Unfortunately, wrong. Viruses still infect the web and are still sent in vicious email.

Furthermore, the viruses that are still active are the toughest of the bunch and you need the latest AV software to ward them off. Symantec and other companies often include the newest versions of their products in your renewal, so not only do you get the latest definitions, you also get the latest tools.

Finally, if you do not renew within (usually) 30 days of your subscription's expiration you have to pay the full purchase price of the software all over again, instead of just paying for the renewal - about 40% less.

We want you to keep your computer systems secure and safe. It saves you money and data, and, frankly, saves us both headaches.

Want to know more or check on when your subscription expires? Call ARRC.