 TITLE: How Do You Protect Your Personal Information Online? CONTENT: 5\\. Steer Clear of Phishing\n---------------------------\nPhishing is a way for fraudsters to deceive you into sharing your personal information, like usernames, passwords or financial details. For instance, a scammer may send an email posing as a reputable entity like your company's IT department or a financial firm, and include a link to reset a password or update your computer's software.\nBut clicking the link and sharing your password or personal information will put your security at risk. Following a link in a phishing attack may install malicious software, or malware, on your device, allowing fraudsters to find personal information that could lead to identity theft. Phishing can happen via phone or text message, too, and angler phishing happens when a scammer contacts you posing as a company you've recently complained about on social media.\nTo avoid sharing information you shouldn't, use caution when you receive a message from someone you don't recognize with a request to click a link or take urgent action. Familiarize yourself with telltale signs of phishing scams, like spelling errors in emails, a vague salutation that doesn't include your name, and email addresses or URLs in the message that aren't quite in line with the company they're supposedly associated with.\nThe more information you share online, the more that can be compromised by those who don't have your best interests in mind. But stay vigilant and communicate online with a healthy amount of skepticism, and data that's private will stay that way. END