Messaging Security Leader Cloudmark Issues Consumer Alert on Anticipated Post-holiday "Phishing" Attacks
Millions of NTT Communications' OCN Enterprise Subscribers Protected from Phishing, Spam and Other Message-Driven Attacks
SAN FRANCISCO — December 28, 2005 — Cloudmark Inc., a proven leader in messaging security solutions - anti-spam, anti-phishing, anti-virus - for service providers, consumers and business, issued a consumer warning today in anticipation of an increased risk of "phishing attacks" following the holiday shopping season and preceding the public's typical New Year resolve of "getting out of debt."
Jordan Ritter, co-founder and chief technology officer of Cloudmark, noted, "Every year during the holidays, a high percentage of consumers find themselves spending a little more than anticipated, and then begin to panic as the last bit of gift wrap is recycled. A phishing offer from a criminal element posing as your bank and offering to consolidate your credit card debt under one easy, low-rate card might be especially tempting now, but be cautious. Any email that leads you to a site and asks you to enter all of your credit card data could put you at extreme risk."
Ritter noted that the Federal Trade Commission has created an informative website that helps consumers identify a phishing threat, and how to distinguish it from a legitimate offer. The site can be found at http://onguardonline.gov/ (click on "Topics" and select "Phishing").
He added, "It is important to become educated on the topic, and understand the difference between spam and phishing. Spam is essentially marketing, annoying to be sure, but not usually high risk, though we have seen some shifts in that area. Phishing, however, is an all-out criminal activity. Attacks are highly targeted, generally short-lived and harder to track down. Phishers just want to get your information and clean out your bank account. Be aware, and know that technology exists to protect you. Make sure to check with your bank to verify the legitimacy of any offer you may receive that seems suspicious or too good to be true."
Cloudmark offers a free anti-fraud toolbar that can be used with Microsoft Internet Explorer. Users are immediately alerted if they land on an unsafe site. Consumers are encouraged to visit the company's website at www.cloudmark.com and download the free anti-fraud toolbar from its home page.
Consumers can also download a trial version of the company's popular Desktop program for Outlook or Outlook Express to stop spam, phishing and virus threats before they reach the user's inbox. The Cloudmark Desktop has consistently delivered the highest accuracy rating in the industry to ensure that desired email reaches its intended destination, while fraudulent email is stopped in its tracks.
Cloudmark offers messaging security solutions that employ true real-time protection against spam, phishing and email-borne viruses with customizable solutions for each of its market segments, stopping a threat typically within one minute of initiation. A global collaborative network of millions of trusted users provides a humanized defense that works in real time to shield against attacks as soon as they form. This active and trusted community provides the foundation for Cloudmark's innovative approach to combating messaging security risks.
Cloudmark, the Cloudmark logo, Cloudmark Desktop, Cloudmark Server Edition, Cloudmark Immunity, Cloudmark Authority, and SpamNet are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cloudmark Inc., for use in the United States and other countries. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
About Cloudmark
Cloudmark protects 2 billion global subscribers daily from an explosion in messaging abuses across more operator networks than anyone else. Only Cloudmark defends the world’s largest Mobile, Fixed and Social Media Providers, including AT&T, Comcast, MySpace, NTT, Swisscom and Time Warner Cable, with scalable and accurate protection against the widest range of existing and emerging messaging threats.