WhenU Desktop Software Now Protects Consumers from Phishing Scams

WhenU Desktop Software Now Protects Consumers from Phishing Scams

Contextual Recognition Technology Alerts Consumers to Bogus Web Sites

NEW YORK, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- WhenU, a leading provider of software-based contextual online advertising announced today that it has launched a public service that identifies phishing scam web sites and alerts consumers via the WhenU platform. By using it's proprietary software that recognizes web page content to serve contextual ads, WhenU has dedicated an in-house team to research and recognize the bogus URLs that are attracting the unknowing public to submit sensitive information that is used in identity theft.

Bill Day, CEO of WhenU noted, "WhenU's contextual software is a proven effective vehicle for serving relevant ads; but it also has incredible potential for additional consumer functionality. WhenU users are alerted to secret coupon codes that save them money at popular sites while holiday shopping -- and now they are also protected from falling prey to bogus web sites and phishing scams."

In just released research from the TowerGroup, "Email scams like phishing, which are used by criminals to convince individuals to reveal confidential information, leverage the Internet's value as a low-cost and efficient vehicle for reaching consumers. Further, the Internet has shifted aspects of the burden of security from the financial institution to the consumer, who is often ill-equipped to deal with the onslaught of new fraud schemes and the gaping holes in PC security." Also reported by TowerGroup was "the belief that the true number of phishing attacks will total 31,000 in 2004 and is expected to rise to over 86,000 in 2005."

WhenU's SAVE coupon software is helping consumers save money this holiday season at web sites such as the Gap and Barnes & Noble. Now during this increased time of online activity alerting consumers to bogus web sites such as those mimicking eBay, PayPal and SunTrust Bank for example -- WhenU is saving its customers from being scammed.

The WhenU Anti-Phishing alert appears on the users screen in the form of a small graphical box with text. The alert rests on the screen for ten seconds and contains a link that if clicked -- takes users to a more thorough explanation of phishing and the hazards of submitting sensitive information. WhenU plans to continue the phishing alerts indefinitely and will be updating its database of fraudulent sites as they become available.

For more information, please visit http://www.whenu.com/

About WhenU


Headquartered in New York City, WhenU's (http://www.whenu.com/) unique advertising technology distinguishes itself from existing online advertising approaches by applying precision logic at the desktop level. From the desktop, WhenU software examines keywords, URLs and search terms currently in use on the opted-in consumer's browser and then presents highly relevant advertising and services. WhenU accomplishes this in a fundamentally unique manner, keeping all user personally identified information encrypted on the user's computer and avoiding collecting any browsing data -- even anonymously -- about individual users. For more information please visit http://www.whenu.com/.


Source: WhenU

CONTACT: Suzanne Gibbons-Neff of WhenU, +1-203-656-0833,
suzannegn@whenu.com

Web site: http://www.whenu.com/


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