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What is Phishing – And Why Should You Care?
Conscious Commerce • September 1, 2019
Phishing scams continue to grow in popularity as an easy way to hack unsuspecting individuals. This scam has grown nearly 65% in the last year alone.
That’s a pretty shocking number when you consider how big phishing was just one year ago.
According to anti-phishing software Retruster – 76% of businesses reported being a victim of a phishing attack in the last year. And around 1.5 million new phishing sites are created every month.
These numbers aren’t just scary. They are staggering.
Everyone should be on the lookout for phishing scams when on the Internet. But many people still click dangerous links because they look legitimate.
The only way you can protect yourself from phishing is to understand what it is, how it works, and what it looks like.
What Is Phishing?
Phishing is a scamming tactic that involves sending fraudulent messages (like emails, text messages, direct messages) that appear to be from a reputable company. They are meant to trick people into revealing personal information like passwords, banking information, and more.
Other phishing links may infect your computer with a keylogger that will record and transmit whatever you type.
Phishers use the information you provide to scam you, break into your other accounts, and to find ways to steal your money.
Are Phishing Emails Illegal?
Phishing is illegal because the person sending the message is committing identity theft. If the phishing scam is a success, then the person is also committing fraud.
The legal penalty depends on the outcome, but on average, the penalties for phishing are strict. A conviction could see the person(s) spend a year or more in prison, all the way up to five years. There have been phishing convictions that have ended up in fines of $10,000 and more.
Are Phishing Emails Easy to Spot?
Phishing emails might be tough to see at first, but you should be able to easily determine if an email is fraudulent if you take a minute to look at it.
Here are some easy ways to determine if an email from a reputable company might actually be a phishing scam:
- Verify the email and make sure the spelling is right . Sometimes, emails will manipulate the way words are spelled. For example, you may see Pay.pal.com, Am.azon.com, Face.book.com, and other strange variations.
- Go to the website on your own without clicking the link. If you are getting an alert from a company you do business with, you should be able to find it on your own without clicking the link. If it only appears in your email, chances are that it is a scam.
- Government agencies and other reputable brands will not request important information through email . Major account changes, tax information, and other sensitive data are usually only accessible through a website or over the phone and require verification.
- Closely inspect the spelling . Reputable companies will not have spelling mistakes, but many phishing emails will have poor grammar.
- Consider the timing of the email . While companies do make changes to your accounts from time to time, always consider why they are sending the email. If the email seems suspicious, chances are that it is.
Remember – when in doubt, don’t click. Avoiding a phishing scam is easy, but recovering all of your accounts isn’t.
What Do I Do If I Get a Phishing Email?
If you receive a phishing email, do not click any links
! Don’t even open it if you can help it.
You can report phishing scams directly to your local police force by phone, email, or contact form. You can also report a phishing email
directly through Gmail to Google.
Phishing isn’t going anywhere with cybercrime on the rise. But we can all do our part to identify phishing scams and spread awareness around this important issue.
This article was written by Conscious Commerce Corporation Founder & CEO Brandon Klayman with the help of lead copywriter Eric Carriere.
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re excited to reflect on an incredible month filled with achievements, insights, and stories to share. At Conscious Commerce Corporation (CCC), our mission to align consciousness and commerce continues to drive meaningful connections and impactful results. Looking Forward to 2025 As we prepare for a new year, we are inspired by the possibilities that lie ahead. We remain dedicated to evolving our offerings, sharing our expertise, and supporting you in achieving your goals. Together, we’ll continue making strides toward sustainable success and collective impact. Thank you for being a vital part of the CCC community . Let’s step boldly into 2025 with renewed ambition, awareness, and a shared commitment to excellence.
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Conscious Commerce Corporation (CCC) is happy to announce that it has been recognized as both a 2024 Fall Global Award honouree and Champion by Clutch, the leading global marketplace of B2B service providers.
New AI Features Page Recommendation: This f eature matches you up with the best pages for your site and proceeds to help you build each recommended page . The result is a streamlined way to create complete pages that are best for the business. Suggested Page Layout: Already know what pages you need for your site? Then use the Suggest Page Layout option. It’ll suggest a layout made up of carefully selected sections in the right order, to match the business and page goal. Full-Page Content Generation: Whether you want to use this option for a page layout you’ve built yourself or for one the page builder has suggested for you, this step will give you yet another time-saving boost: with the click of a button you can have AI generate images and texts for all the sections on the page you’re building. Site Links Audit Tool Meet the new audit tool we added to the SEO section in your Site Dashboard: Internal and External Links. These new additions let you review and optimize your internal and outbound site links, with an option to instantly fix any related issues we’ve found while scanning the links—all in one place. Zapier Platform Integration Automate blog post creation. This new action lets you trigger blog post creation from work management tools. Then, use Zapier to generate blog posts with the help of AI and the post will automatically be created.
This month, we’re inspired by the Capricorn archetype —a beacon of ambition, perseverance, and strategic vision. At Conscious Commerce Corporation (CCC), we align this energy with our conscious value of Wealth , not just in material terms, but as a reflection of abundance, growth, and meaningful connections. “If there is one permanent truth, it’s that change is inevitable…” This wisdom fuels our journey forward! Embracing change with courage, creativity, and clarity, we’re empowering our clients and partners to seize new opportunities and redefine what success looks like—together. Platform Core Updates MAP Web AI-powered tools for streamlined site building and improved efficiency. A new Site Links Audit tool to enhance SEO and drive better site visibility. MAP Meet A unified checkout experience that enables seamless transactions for services, products, and custom items—all in one place. MAP Platform Integration New Zapier Actions have been added to MAP Web to automate workflows, enabling you to focus on what truly drives growth and value in your business. Key Insight: Rethinking Wealth in Business Wealth is so much more than numbers in a bank account—it’s the magic that happens when strategic effort meets a greater purpose. It’s about building value, forging unshakable connections, and creating something that stands the test of time. The Capricorn archetype reminds us that with discipline, determination, and a touch of daring, the summit is always within reach. At CCC, we don’t just help businesses grow; we help them thrive. Whether it’s optimizing your SEO, integrating cutting-edge tools, or designing an unforgettable digital experience, our mission is to turn your ambition into real, sustainable success. Looking Ahead As the year draws to a close, let’s tap into the power of reflection and the fire of ambition. Let’s set bold goals, harness resilience, and climb higher together. The Capricorn spirit isn’t just about scaling mountains—it’s about doing so with purpose, heart, and a determination to make every step count. Here’s to achieving greatness, creating Wealth, and embracing the changes that lead us forward. Let’s make this journey one to remember!
We want to alert our community about a scam circulating on WhatsApp, where individuals are posing as Conscious Commerce Corporation (CCC) and offering fake job opportunities. This fraudulent activity involves the use of our company name, logo, and a misleading domain (cc9494), all designed to deceive and mislead individuals. Please be aware that Conscious Commerce Corporation is not involved in any recruitment activities through WhatsApp or using the domain "cc9494." If you are contacted by someone claiming to represent CCC and offering a job or requesting payment for any reason, it is a scam . We urge everyone to stay vigilant and never send money or personal information to anyone claiming to represent CCC in this context. Our company values transparency, integrity, and the safety of our community, and we will never ask for payments in exchange for job opportunities or other services. If you have any doubts or receive suspicious messages, please reach out to us directly through official channels. Your safety and trust are important to us. Stay safe and be cautious when interacting with unsolicited job offers or requests for money. Below is a screenshot of the login screen from the fake website—do not trust or engage with websites that look like this.
Explore how the Capricorn archetype redefines wealth beyond finances, emphasizing resources, knowledge, and connections. Discover the pivotal role of eCommerce in fostering lasting growth and learn how platforms like MAP eCom can enhance your business strategy.
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