This is just another reminder of the importance of security, as it rears its head to us time and time again. A couple of recent examples:
- Phishing scam using images for CIRA website
- Internet phone system hacking
What is Phishing:
Phishing is a way of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication (Source: Wikipedia).
Phishing scam using images from CIRA website:
There have been reports of a phishing scam using images from the CIRA website. CIRA, is the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, the organization that manages Canada's .CA domains.
If you own a .CA domain you may be targeted so remember the following:
- CIRA will NEVER ask for credit card information through their website as registrations are done through Registrars such as CMS Web Solutions.
- CMS Web Solutions would never request that you provide your credit card information via email or through our website.
Internet phone system hacking:
There has been a recently reported incidence of voice mail fraud on a VOIP internet phone system. The system is only as secure as the voicemail passwords of individual users. In this case, a hacker was attempting to guess voice mail passwords and access the outgoing call feature of the voice mail system to place long distance overseas calls.
How could this occur? Well often passwords default to things like: 0000, 1234, 4321, or “Password” and never get changed.
Remember to check your settings to keep your passwords set to a random number and security will no longer be an issue; at least for now.