Absa bank on Tuesday issued a warning to Internet Banking users of an increase in spamming, malware and phishing attacks.
A phishing scam is designed to trick bank customers into handing over their bank login details to Internet scammers and one such fake e-mail purporting to be from Absa claims that the bank has initiated a beneficial programme for numerous of its customers to reward them for their honest and usual patronage, the bank said.
The fake e-mail claims that under the "Absa Must Top Up Programme", the recipient's bank account balance will be credited with a substantial amount during the World Cup.
To be eligible for the "windfall", the email claims that Absa needs to verify your account activities by deducting a minimal amount from it to guarantee your share in the programme.
The banking group said the fake e-mail further claims that the deducted amount would be refunded in a few minutes together with the additional funds allocated to you in this programme, and then asks you to click on an embedded link to fill in the required information.
Absa is not running any programme called "Absa Must Top Up Programme" and those who fall for the ruse and click on the attached link will be taken to a web-based form that asks them to submit their bank account user name and password, ostensibly to credit their accounts with the funds from the non-existent programme.
Any information submitted on the bogus form will be sent to Internet criminals who will use it to access the customer's real Absa account, steal funds deposited in the account and conduct other fraudulent activities, warned the bank.
"People should especially be wary of unsolicited e-mails with World Cup themed messages, as many phishing attacks are likely to hide under such to leverage the highly anticipated event," says Christo Very, Managing Executive of Absa Digital and Self Service Channels.
"The common defence against email phishing is never click on the link provided on the email, and never reply to e-mails with your login or personal information."
"It is also advisable to secure your laptop or PC with a trustworthy security application that will detect malware in malicious emails before they cause any real damage," concludes Vrey.
To protect themselves against phishing attacks, Absa suggested that its clients access their Internet Banking session by manually typing the web address into their browser and then click the logon icon.
Secondly, they should keep their access information secure (account number, user number, and all PIN numbers and passwords), and thirdly they should ensure they see a lock icon either at the top of the Internet browser window or at the bottom depending on your browser.
Fourthly it is advisable, Absa said, that they install and regularly update the latest anti-virus software, clients are also advised to refrain from banking at public terminals like Internet Cafes.
The bank also advised that Internet Banking users should provide credit card details to reputable companies and look for the lock and key icon and security certificates when shopping online, lastly they should change their PIN number and Password regularly. - I-Net Bridge