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Security
Gone Phishing

Phishing attacks are down, but be careful before Christmas

Phishing is surprisingly lucrative.

NEARLY 25,000 PHISHING attacks saw around €188 million stolen online in September alone.

RSA, the security division of IT multinational EMC said that that number is down by around 25% on August, but they warn that in the run-up to Christmas, the number of attacks will increase.

52% of phishing attacks were conducted against the United States, followed by 9% against the United Kingdom and 8% against China.

35% of the attacks originated from computers based in the United States; 12% in Hong Kong; and 7% in Germany.

RSA’s September report particularly focused on online fraud in the run up to the Christmas season, when cybercrime peaks.

According to the company, the most defrauded online merchants in were airlines (46%), followed by money transfer services (16%) and computer and electronics retailers (13%).

Gerry Murray, Country Manager for EMC Ireland, advised consumers to be vigilant at all times when transacting online, especially with surges in cybercrime at Christmas.

In the run up to the Christmas period, consumers must be especially wary when they purchase goods and services online. Cybercriminals employ a wide variety of scams designed to take advantage of our generosity and willingness to spend more in the festive period.

Read: Was the Russian government behind White House computer hacking?

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