What is pharming?

What is pharming?

Phishing is a scam by which we can unconsciously pass our sensitive data, such as logins, passwords or credit card numbers, to strangers. Its specific variation is called pharming, much more difficult to detect by network users.

The purpose of pharming is mainly to obtain access data to our bank accounts or credit card numbers. Hackers attack DNS (Domain Name Service) servers and "poison them". By exploiting vulnerabilities in the domain name system, they redirect Internet traffic to fake servers. Unaware users entering a correct address of their bank, are transferred to a different website.

Another pharming method is to infect the user's computer with a Trojan horse (a type of malicious software) modifying files in such a way that despite entering the correct address, they are redirected to a fake website.

How to protect yourself

First of all, check whether the address bar of your bank's website has the HTTPS: or HTTP: protocol. The first address means that the site is secured ("S" - means "secure"), the second - on the contrary. Then make sure that the address on the left before the protocol address has a green padlock. This icon means that the website has an SSL certificate that ensures secure data transmission.

A red padlock with a cross informs you about errors found in the site's certificate. Be careful with this message and don't enter any data. This could mean that someone is impersonating the site to capture information entered by users.

The basic protection of your computer is the installation of a firewall and an anti-virus programme. The anti-virus programme should be updated and the computer regularly scanned for viruses.

The function of remembering passwords is very convenient, but also makes access to your computer easy. Never save passwords in your bank browser. When you use someone else's computer, always use the private browser mode - then saving passwords is automatically blocked.

Compliance with safety rules can protect us from many problems, including pharming.