New Website Reinforces ISPs Efforts Against Phishing Scams

The Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA UK) – the UK’s leading Internet trade association - is supporting a new website launched by EuroISPA to raise awareness of the dangers of phishing, and offer advice on how to avoid phishing scams ( www.euroispa.org/antiphishing/ ). EuroISPA is the federation of European Internet trade associations.

Phishing is a form of online fraud where users are tricked into disclosing important personal or financial information most commonly through ‘spoof’ or imitation emails which appear to originate from a trusted source like a bank, a financial institution or an e-commerce site.

Service providers in the UK and across Europe are working to combat the activities of phishers. The launch of the new website reinforces these activities in the ongoing battle against phishing scams.

Many ISPs offer technology such as spam and anti virus filters to users, which will often intercept phishing emails. Users can set their individual preferences to increase the effectiveness of the filter systems and report email abuse via the abuse mechanisms that many ISPs operate.

ISPs take tough action against subscribers sending spam either intentionally or by using an unsecured or security compromised PC. Sending spam contravenes service providers’ terms of service and acceptable use policies. Many ISPs in the UK explicitly prohibit unauthorised bulk emailing and disconnect those who break these contracts. For this reason, it is rare for spammers and phishers to operate out of the UK.

The UK Internet industry continues to run an effective, self-regulatory 'notice and takedown' procedure. This means that when a UK ISP is made aware of a phishing site hosted on their servers, they will immediately remove it line with this voluntary procedure.

In addition, some ISPs will block access to third-party phishing sites as soon as they become aware of them.

ISPs have made significant investments in education programmes to raise awareness of phishing and how users can protect themselves. Users should be suspicious of any email that requests personal or financial information and know where to report any instances of phishing. ISPs provide information and advice about this on their help pages.

Jessica Hendrie-Liaño, Chair of ISPA Council said, "The Internet industry is working hard to combat the activities of phishers. ISPs are tackling the threat of phishing through a marriage of educational and technical initiatives. Effectively combating phishing requires action from Government, law enforcement agencies, the Internet industry, banks, e-commerce sites, credit card companies, and importantly end users."

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Notes to Editors
View the new anti-phishing site at: http://www.euroispa.org/antiphishing/

The views expressed in this release are those of the Internet Services Providers' Association (ISPA UK) and do not necessarily reflect the corporate policies of the individual companies that are members of the Association or other organisations that may be mentioned in the release.

For further information, please contact the ISPA Press Office by email or Tel: 020 7233 7239

About the Internet Services Providers’ Association:
The Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA) was established in 1995 as a trade association to represent providers of Internet services in the UK. ISPA promotes competition, self-regulation and the development of the Internet industry. For a list of members or other information about ISPA, please consult the website: www.ispa.org.uk

About EuroISPA:
EuroISPA is the world’s largest association of Internet Service Providers (ISPs), representing the interests of around 900 ISPs across the EU. With a secretariat in Brussels, EuroISPA is a major voice of the Internet industry on information society subjects such as cybercrime, data protection, e-commerce regulation, EU telecommunications law and safe use of the Internet.

Further information about the organisation (including its composition, aims and position papers) is available from its website: www.euroispa.org