The bait is working.

Phishing attacks are continuing to escalate and have been escalating for college students, said Jim Fatz, Director of Information Security & Operations.

Students are easy targets because they use many communication methods such as e-mail, cell phones and social networking sites, Fatz said.

Freshman English major Mary McMullen remembers when she was a phishing target, which also resulted in identity theft that happened to her a couple months ago.

“Someone got hold of my debit card,” McMullen said. “At the time I wasn’t aware of it.”

Phishing is a term that describes someone trying to gain private information from another. Phishing is common in computer-based activities, but can occur in phone calls and text messages as well.

“Students may be less on guard for exploitation, and some students may be naïve,” Fatz said.

McMullen said she bought books online on an unsecured Web site. She figured her identity was stolen when she received her bank statement and realized there were purchases that she did not make.

She takes extra caution when she buys items online. She always looks for the padlock on the bottom of the browser to make sure the site is secure.

Fatz said phishing cannot be stopped. He added advice for students to follow.

“Do not trust anyone with your account information, and this includes family members,” he said. “Be cautious and be on guard that once any type of information is out there that you don’t want to be out there, that it might find widespread publication to many different places and people.”

Karon Mcgee, junior chemistry and pre-pharmacy major, said she has no experience with phishing, but she still watches where she exposes her information. She is always alert.

Mcgee said someone who steals another’s identity is looking for extra money.

“A lot of people are desperate for money,” she said. “They try to find a quick way for a couple of dollars.”