Security experts warn Gmail users against phishing activities perpetrated by fraudster who can steal their passwords and open their online accounts to access sensitive data including banking transaction.
Security firm Sophos said that a phishing campaign has been targeting Google Talk instant messaging, adding that this illicit activity threatens the security of users especially those who are not equipped with the right knowledge on how to protect themselves from online threats.
Few days ago, the security firm intercepted spam messages which urged people to click the links from the URL. According to Sophos, users who clicked the link were directed to a dummy site called ViddyHo. This site urged people to enter their Gmail accounts and passwords, and after the process has been completed, that fraudster will hack the users’ account to steal sensitive data including banking details.
Sophos technology consultant Graham Cluley advice to people who thinks they have visited a dummy site to immediately change their Gmail passwords. He said that protecting one’s password will not only protect his/her own account but also others who are listed on the address book.
“People should be very careful when clicking unsolicited messages and links especially when a certain website asks for their sensitive details including passwords and username”, Cluley added.
According to a recent survey conducted by Sophos, more than 40 percent of Internet users have the same password for every site they visited, making their accounts more vulnerable to hackers and online fraudster. To protect their email accounts, Sophos advices that people should not use the same password they use in Gmail.
Phishing activities have long been a major problem for netizens as these are mostly found in popular Internet properties including social networks, emails, and instant chat.
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Thanks for the warning