Lost packets: Buckets more phish bait out there

Cyber criminals created a record number of phishing Web sites in July and also hijacked a record number of brands to help them do their work, a consortium that monitors online fraud said this month. The number of phishing sites — fraudulent Web sites that try to fool people into handing over sensitive personal information — rose to 14,191 in July, an 18 per cent increase over May, the previous all-time high, said the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG). The fraudulent sites mimicked a record 154 brands, up 20 per cent over June and 12 per cent over the previous high, also recorded in May, APWG said. The latest figures show that online criminals are diversifying to target smaller financial institutions, Internet service providers and even government agencies, the group said. However, the