“phishing” — a play on the word “fishing” — because the fraudster is fishing for your private account information. Typically, fraudsters try to trick you into providing your user name and password so that they can gain access to an online account. Fraudsters send fake emails or set up fake web sites that mimic Yahoo!’s sign-in pages (or the sign-in pages of other trusted companies, such as eBay, Google or PayPal) to trick you into disclosing your user name and password. Once they gain access, they can use your personal information to commit identity theft, charge your credit cards, empty your bank accounts, read your email, and lock you out of your online account by changing your password.

Resource:

“Phishers Adopt Scam Tricks From Virus Writers – PC World.” 3 Dec 2008

<http://www.pcworld.com/article/118489/phishers_adopt_scam_tricks_from_virus_writers.html>.

“Phishing – OnGuard Online.” 2 Dec 2008

<http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/phishing.aspx>.

“Recognize phishing scams and fraudulent e-mails.” 2 Dec 2008

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/email/phishing.mspx?ifs=0.