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Phishing for Information

By Anna Jones

Services for Real Estate Pros with The Virtual Link

July 24, 2007 08:43 AM

Late last week I found a test that McAfee Site Advisor published that tests your knowledge on internet scams. http://www.siteadvisor.com/quizzes/phishing_0707/

I consider myself an internet pro and can spot the ebay/paypal scams from a mile away so I was pretty confident going into this quiz.

Imagine my surprise when I only scored an 80! And one of the questions I missed dealt with a Bank of America page. I bank with Bank of America! In addition, many of the Real Estate Virtual Assistants that I have heard from haven't scored higher than an 80!

I encourage you to take 5 minutes from your busy schedule to take the quiz and test your knowledge. It can be quite humbling - but moreso, it could save you from future disasters.

Take a minute to also pass the link on to family, friends and especially clients...

Virtually yours,

Anna Baron CREA IVAA CVA CRESS PREVA
Internet Marketing Specialist ~ http://www.thevirtuallink.com/
Your link for marketing and virtual assistance!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
International Real Estate Assistants Association
http://www.ireaa.com/
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

McAfee SiteAdvisor Phishing Quiz

YOU ANSWERED 10 OF 10 QUESTIONS CORRECTLY

Rating: Safety Guru

Nice work! Your practically clairvoyant knowledge of the Web allows you to spot even the most realistic looking spoofed sites. We're impressed!

But remember that even one misstep on a deceptive Web site can put your personal information at risk which could lead to identity theft or financial losses.

Don't let scammers fool you! SiteAdvisor can help protect your identity by warning you before you visit a risky site.

I'm actually thankful to know that I can spot a phishing scam! Some of these were very difficult!

Michelle Schoen
The Permanent Record, LLC

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Lenn Harley

Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA

Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

I had the same experience.

All I could think was "SHAME ON BANK OF AMERICA" for spamming us. They may not be shishing us, but they're sure spamming us.

I don't bank with them and I get their junk too.

Jul 24, 2007 08:46 AM

Jennifer Wilson

Agent Solutions - Calgary, AB

Agent Solutions

Great resource Anna. It was sure an eye opener for me. Thanks for sharing

Jul 24, 2007 08:47 AM

Bill Gillhespy

16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL

Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Anna, Interesting post. Just for fun I guessed at the choices ( 70 5 ). Don't you think we will see more of this kind of activity ?

Jul 24, 2007 08:53 AM

Anna Jones

The Virtual Link - Allen, TX

Real Estate Virtual Assistant -Marketing Assistant

Hi Bill, as history shows, scammers, phishers or whatever you may choose to call them will evolve in their methods of trying to gather personal information to use against us. So to answer your questions, yes, we will more than likely see more of this kind of activity - but just like with technology it is our responsibility to try and keep up with their tactics and keep ourselves educated.

Jul 24, 2007 09:00 AM

Hi Lenn, I dont' necessarily think that Bank of America is spamming or phishing you. unless you specifically subscribed to their mailing lists. Their business is banking and spamming doesn't do much for their business so it's not a practice that they engage in. More than likely what you received in your inbox was someone trying to get your BoA information so that they could access your account. So it's not shame on Bank of America but moreso shame on these hackers, phishers and spammers...and that should also be a clue to you that maybe you need to educate yourself on phishing scams.

Jul 24, 2007 09:06 AM

Joan Snodgrass

Midamerica Referral Network - Kimberling City, MO

Thanks Anna. Took the test and was amazed at how difficult some of them were to decipher, Will have to pass this on to family and friends.

Jul 24, 2007 09:22 AM

Michelle Schoen

The Permanent Record, LLC - Denver, CO

Jul 25, 2007 03:51 AM

Laura Monroe

Inman News - San Francisco, CA

Dir. of Industry Engagement & Social Media

Anna~ I really loved this test! Fact is I use almost every single example in one way or another, so it was a real test to see if I could catch the fake stuff...thanks for sharing;)

Jul 29, 2007 07:11 AM

Phishing for Information

Comments(8)

McAfee SiteAdvisor Phishing Quiz

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