AN EXPLANATION OF WHAT PHISHING IS ALL ABOUT TOWARDS EDUCATING INTERNET USERS ON ITS DANGERS

¹Joshua John and ²S.Z. Bugi

¹Institute of Computer and Information Communication Technology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

²School of Science and Technology, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)

E-mail:jj08184709142@gmail.com, zirra.bugi@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) revolution has had impacts in almost every area of human endeavor. From business, industry, institutions, government to not-for-profit organizations, ICT has simplified registration processes such as payment, course registration, examination registration, writing examination online, checking results in a real-time processing mode. However, ICT has also brought unintended consequences such as criminal activities, Phishing, spamming, credit card frauds, ATM frauds, identity theft and other related cybercrimes. Phishing is a growing problem that causes severe consequences of both financial loss and down drift of internet security trust. Despite the fact that many anti-phishing solutions are developed and adopted to the industry, the phishing problem is not mitigated as we are witnessing an ever growing number of phishing attacks. This study sought to give an explanation of what phishing is all about towards educating internet users on its dangers. It also finds ways of combating phishing attacks and increases the trust of consumers of Registration portals and other areas.