Definition of Cyber Scam

          Cyber Scam is refers to the use of internet service to trick a victim for their money. There are a few characteristic that you will find in cyber scams. Most scam are done through e-mail which is also known as spam. E-mail user will be tricked by giving the scammer (person who do cyber scam) their critical information such as usernames, passwords, credit card information, or other types of account information.
          Another way of cyber scams is through the spyware. Spyware is software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually for advertising purposes. Spyware application are typically bundled as a hidden component of freeware or shareware programs that can be download from the Internet. However, it should be noted that the majority of shareware and freeware applications do not come with spyware. Once installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else. Spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers.


An example of cyber scam through e-mail:


Subject: Windows Account Alert™‏

From: Windows Microsoft™ Center (war.veteran @ hotmail.com)
Sent: Fri 4/30/10 7:58 AM
To: accountprotectteam2010 @ hotmail.com Microsoft Live Account Alert!!! Dear Account Owner This Email is from Microsoft Customer Care and we are sending it to every Hotmail Email User Accounts Owner for safety. we are having congestion's due to the anonymous registration of Hotmail accounts so we are shutting down some Hotmail accounts and your account was among those to be deleted. Please verify your account and let us know if you still want to use this account. If you are still interested please confirm your account by filling the space below.Your User name, password, date of birth and your country information would be needed to verify your account.

• Username: ...............................
• Password: ................................
• Date of Birth: ............................

Country Or Territory: ................
Confirm your E-mail by filling out your Login Information below after clicking the reply button, or your account will be suspended within 48 hours for security reasons. Sincerely,
The Windows Live Hotmail Team

— An example of an email phishing for user's Hotmail account passwords

Sources:
http://www.cybertopcops.com/anti-fraud.php
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/P/phishing.html