Dive Brief:
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A week after The Home Depot revealed that 53 million customer email addresses were stolen during a massive September data breach, the home-improvement retailer is contacting contractors and do-it-yourselfers to warn of potential phishing scams.
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Phishing involves emails designed to look legitimate but that trick recipients into revealing personal information like passwords and account numbers that the sender will use to steal identities or make unauthorized purchases.
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In a Wednesday email, the big box chain warned contractors and do-it-yourselfers whose emails may have been stolen to “be on the alert” and directed them to its corporate website for information about how to protect themselves from falling victim to a phishing attack.
Dive Insight:
The best protection against a phishing scam is to not open emails from unknown senders. Although the message might offer help, an award or a deal, it’s designed to convince readers to share Social Security numbers, bank, or credit card numbers and passwords.