Account phishing is a scheme that involves getting a hold of a person's username and password without them realizing.  This can also involve getting access to their bank account, social security number or other personal information.  Phishing takes advantage of people not paying close enough attention to what they are doing online.  This mainly revolves around their e-mails and the websites they visit.  While most people think the Internet is safe, they are easily fooled by people looking to take advantage of them.

Account phishing is usually undertaken in two ways. It is done either by e-mail or by website. Basically, you get a link to a website, click on it and sign in to your account there. The information is stored in a database that another person has access to, they steal that information and login to the real account associated with you. Before you know it, your bank account, credit card or other accounts are hijacked. By the time you report it, it is too late.

When you receive a potentially threatening link, it is disguised to look like the actual link you would visit for a given website. Unless you actually look at the link's URL in the browser bar, you would never realize you were going to a shady website. These websites are set up to look exactly like the actual, legitimate website you would visit and login to. You would not even know the difference unless you really looked at it. But since most people take for granted their safety on the Internet, they are susceptible to such fraud.

The three easiest ways to prevent being phished online include being careful of what websites you visit, take precautions when clicking links in e-mails and follow your instincts of what might be fishy when using the Internet.  Only by taking the time to follow-through, double check and make sure you are going to the right place will you keep your personal information safe.  If someone gets a hold of your personal information, this will severely affect your life in every way possible.  Account phishing is no laughing matter, take the time to protect yourself on the Internet.