Ok so what is 'Plishing' it is when persons unknown attempt to extract information from you. For example your logins and passwords for things such as Bank Accounts, Credit Cards, Paypal etc. Usually it starts by sending you an email purporting to have come from your bank or whatever stating that for security reasons you need to re-enter your login details by clicking in the link contained in the email. The website it takes you to will look very much like the genuine thing, however it is not, it is a scam site intended to trick you into giving away sensitive information that they can use to steal either money or identity from you, often both or at the very least bombard you with spam emails. An Anti-Plishing/Website Filter sits on your Internet browser toolbar (it is called a browser object) and immediately alerts you if you attempt to enter a known Plishing or a website that has other issues such us poor merchant security (not secure enough to enter credit card details etc), is liking to result in your receiving Spam or it contains links that will covertly install spyware programs onto your computer (often these are dressed up as freebie software, sure you get the free software but you also get a dirty little hidden spyware bundle that you did not ask for). There are a number of Anti-Plishing/Website Filter offerings available I.E. Microsoft's free Anti-Plishing Program, Site Hound from Firetrust, Symantec (as part of their Internet Security Suite). We use and recommend only one Anti-Plishing/Website Filter program, it is both neat in appearance (it takes up very little space on the browser toolbar) and is highly effective. Originally designed by an independent software house then later bought out by McAfee it is called SITE ADVISOR.
Site Advisor is available in two versions - Site Advisor Free and Site Advisor plus (currently being offered for $20.00).
Site Advisor Free will flash RED and advise you that you are about to enter a website with known issues, however it is up to you to heed the advice offered, it will not actually prevent you from entering the site.
Site Advisor Plus does all of the above - plus it can be set to actually prevent you from entering a website with known issues without first entering a password (ideal if you have young family members who show no fear of visiting dodgy websites). Site Advisor Plus also monitors your email and will show a warning on any email that is attempting to take you to a Plishing or otherwise dodgy website.
To find out more about Site Advisor please follow this link www.siteadvisor.com
FlyingEagle - Links
A Compu-Business Solutions (CBSL UK) partner company
Links to recommended software and services.
Contact us
Flying Eagle - Links
Swindon, Wiltshire,
United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 (0)1793 751902
E-mail: web@flyingeagle.co.uk
