Phishing is a type of deception designed to steal your valuable personal data, such as credit card numbers, other account data and passwords, or other information.

You might see a phishing scam:

• In e-mail messages, even if they appear to be from a coworker or someone you know.
• On your social networking Web site.
• On a fake Web site that accepts donations for charity.
• On Web sites that spoof your familiar sites using slightly different Web addresses, hoping you won’t notice.
• In your instant message program.
• On your cell phone or other mobile device.

Often phishing scams rely on placing links in e-mail messages, on Web sites, or in instant messages that seem to come from a service that you trust, like your bank, credit card company, or social networking site. Recent bank mergers have created new opportunities for scammers.

If you think you’ve received a phishing e-mail message do not respond to it. Approach links within e-mail messages with caution as links in phishing e-mails often take you to phony sites that try to obtain your personal information. There are tools available to help warn and protect you from online scams. For more information on these tools visit: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/email/phishing.mspx?ifs=0