You can report phishing scam emails via some email programs or at the Anti-Phishing Working Group website, antiphishing.org. Credit: antiphishing.org
At a speaking engagement for the University of Texas Learning Activities for Mature People (LAMP) program, an audience member asked what to do about phishing or scam emails. Should you ever respond to them?
First, let’s define “Phishing”: that means an email or other electronic message from someone falsely claiming to be a person or business. A fake email claiming to be from your bank or a Facebook chat message from a “friend” who says they need you to send money immediately can be a scam or the result of someone you know having their email or social media account hacked.
Should you respond? Probably not. If an email is asking you to click on a link that seems fishy (phishy?), it's best to delete the email or to report the message if it's on a social network. If you've got the time, you can report the email by forwarding it to spam@uce.gov or reportphishing@antiphishing.org, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The Better Business Bureau and UT's Center for Identity (identity.utexas.edu) also have great resources for protecting yourself against cybercrime.
In this space every week, we’ll define a tech term, offer a timely tip or answer questions about technology from readers. Email ogallaga@statesman.com.
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