America Online fights Phishing

Phishing is continuing to remain a major issue with networking companies around the world and AOL seems to be the latest one to battle the latest security hazard on the net. The company is increasing their efforts against the increasing number of Phishing mails being sent to the customers on their network. They are also actively blocking the sites involved in masquerading as real banks and credit card companies.

The company has joined hands with Cyota Incorporation, which specializes in providing on-line security for financial institutions. Their team is working 24 hours a day into identifying the involved sites. And they are not providing an override option for the end customers unlike some other players in the market like EarthLink, which provides software to their clients to block such domains.

AOL spokesperson Andrew Weinstein said in a statement: “These are sites that have all been reviewed by security staff and confirmed as likely Phishing sites. Blocking all access is a pretty aggressive step, but we want to aggressively protect our members from those sites.”

The sites involved in such frauds are generally fly by night operator but it still is important for one of the largest ISP in the United States to play a hard game against these companies. And the companies know that the protection cannot be 100% perfect considering it takes time for them to identify the sources involved.