Phishing (fĭsh·ing) (n.) In the field of computer security, phishing is the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Communications purporting to be from popular social websites, auction sites, online payment processors, or IT administrators are commonly used to lure the unsuspecting public. Phishing is typically carried out by email or instant messaging, and it often directs users to enter details at a fake website whose look and feel are almost identical to the legitimate one. (from Wikipedia)

Below is the transcript of a conversation with someone who tried to phish me the other day. I’ve changed the names and dangerous URLs to protect the innocent (i.e.: you).

MFerprime (4:17:33 PM): hey
jakes (4:17:45 PM): hiya
MFerprime (4:17:53 PM): how are you doing
jakes (4:18:05 PM): very well, thank you.
jakes (4:18:29 PM): how are you on this fine afternoon?
MFerprime (4:18:37 PM): doing well
MFerprime (4:18:48 PM): do you have an myspace?
jakes 4:19:05 PM): of course. do you have one?
MFerprime (4:19:10 PM): yea
MFerprime (4:19:16 PM): do you want to see mine?
jakes (4:19:18 PM): what’s the url?
MFerprime (4:19:41 PM): myspace.com/MFerprime
MFerprime (4:19:45 PM): can yours?
jakes (4:21:37 PM): you don’t know my myspace?
MFerprime (4:21:52 PM): no I am sry
jakes (4:22:04 PM): wait, how did you gt this IM name then?
MFerprime (4:22:20 PM): I think form your myspace I am not sure
jakes (4:22:53 PM): oh cool, where you from man?
MFerprime (4:23:10 PM): I am from Westlake village
MFerprime (4:23:16 PM): can I please your myspace?
jakes (4:23:32 PM): oh sure, hold on.
jakes (4:25:55 PM): http://www.myspace.com/parishilton
jakes (4:26:58 PM): did you get it? did you get what I’m trying to send you? I think i did that right but i’m not sure
MFerprime (4:27:23 PM): that is your myspace link
jakes (4:27:38 PM): i think so. is that not right?
jakes (4:28:00 PM): oh crap
jakes (4:28:06 PM): i sent the wrong thing
MFerprime (4:28:16 PM): it is kool
jakes 4:28:19 PM): i was on that page and grabbed the wrong url
jakes (4:28:31 PM): lemme try again
MFerprime (4:28:35 PM): ok
jakes (4:29:12 PM): www.myspace.com/tilatequila
jakes 4:29:14 PM): there
jakes 4:29:27 PM): i think that’s it
jakes (4:29:54 PM): did you get it this time?
MFerprime (4:30:04 PM): yea
jakes (4:30:44 PM): what’s your name, partner?
MFerprime (4:30:54 PM): it is chris
MFerprime (4:31:06 PM): I am a drummer in a band called The Lame-borginis
jakes (4:31:31 PM): you seem like a groovy dude, chris. seriously groovy.
jakes (4:31:41 PM): like completely 100% groovy
jakes (4:31:56 PM): is that true?
MFerprime (4:32:01 PM): Think so
MFerprime (4:32:05 PM): do you like myspace?
jakes (4:32:48 PM): cool. listen, there’s nothing i don’t not like about myspace. seriously! how much do you like it?
MFerprime (4:33:12 PM): do you like my pics
MFerprime (4:33:18 PM): are you single?
jakes (4:34:55 PM): totally. do you like myspace and my pics? how much do you enjoy both things? take your time and answer thoughtfully.
MFerprime (4:35:19 PM): I really like your pics alot
jakes (4:35:20 PM): you’re pretty hot in the profile pic. i’m about to click on your album
jakes (4:35:39 PM): do you work out?
MFerprime (4:35:46 PM): yea
jakes (4:35:51 PM): wait how old are you?
MFerprime (4:35:55 PM): I am 22
MFerprime (4:35:57 PM): and you?
jakes (4:36:11 PM): you’re a little young for me
MFerprime (4:36:23 PM): how old are you?
jakes (4:36:44 PM): you’re like my brother’s age. that’s kinda creepy!
jakes (4:36:52 PM): but you seem nice
jakes (4:37:01 PM): you’re not a creep, right?
MFerprime (4:37:08 PM): hell no
MFerprime (4:37:21 PM): do you want to hear my music?
jakes (4:38:00 PM): oh yeah, totally. i really don’t not want to hear it, if that’s what you’re asking.
jakes (4:38:06 PM): what type of music is it?
MFerprime (4:38:15 PM): it is punk music
jakes (4:38:16 PM): is it loud and sexy?
jakes (4:38:29 PM): you don’t wear eyeliner, do you?
jakes (4:38:33 PM): that would be stupid
MFerprime (4:38:36 PM): no
jakes (4:38:40 PM): ok cool
jakes (4:38:44 PM): that would be lame
MFerprime (4:38:48 PM): I know
jakes (4:39:03 PM): are you any good?
jakes (4:39:10 PM): like on a label?
MFerprime (4:40:12 PM): check it for yourself
jakes (4:40:49 PM): i’m about to. how many people are in your band? like 5?
MFerprime (4:40:55 PM): http://www.myspace.com/Lame-borginis
jakes (4:41:02 PM): my brother has a band, but it’s like country shit
MFerprime (4:41:08 PM): that is kool
jakes (4:41:17 PM): no, i hate it.
jakes (4:41:29 PM): he’s such a dweeb
MFerprime 4:41:29 PM): what movies do you like?
jakes (4:42:26 PM): mostly european documentaries. french biographies. german silent films….what do you like?
MFerprime (4:42:56 PM): I like old Horror movies. I like to watch new movies
jakes (4:43:00 PM): what’s you’re favorite food? i bet it’s bitchin!
MFerprime (4:43:21 PM): Pizza lol
jakes (4:43:32 PM): do you like that band my chemical romance?
MFerprime (4:43:36 PM): yea
MFerprime 4:43:38 PM): do you?
jakes (4:43:45 PM): well, i hate them
jakes (4:43:52 PM): i hate them all the way
MFerprime (4:44:02 PM): that is kool
MFerprime (4:44:10 PM): can I see a real pic of you
jakes (4:44:42 PM): oh yeah sure, i’ll send you to my myspace page… gimme a sec. i barely use it.
MFerprime (4:44:54 PM): okay
jakes (4:45:09 PM): you seem spanish. are you spanish?
MFerprime (4:45:16 PM): no
MFerprime (4:45:21 PM): i am Itian
jakes (4:45:38 PM): that’s weird cuz you seem spanish.
jakes (4:45:50 PM): like totally a spaniard.
jakes (4:46:08 PM): like ponce de leon. do you like american history?
jakes (4:46:21 PM): or that movie american history x?
MFerprime 4:46:36 PM): yea I like American History X
jakes (4:47:16 PM): are you a neo nazi or something? that’s racist
MFerprime (4:47:25 PM): fuck no
jakes (4:47:28 PM): hey i gotta go
jakes (4:47:40 PM): don’t try to phish me anymore ok?