Google, Microsoft and Facebook Join Forces Against Phishing

At least 15 technology companies and financial institutions, including Google, Microsoft and Facebook, have teamed up to design an e-authentication system from legitimate senders to combat email scams identity theft, also known as “phishing.”

Phishing uses fake emails from banks, businesses or other organizations, to trick email users to disclose their personal information, that can be used by scammers at their convenience.

The new system is called DMARC, acronym for Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance (Message Authentication, Reporting and Compliance Based on Domains). DMARC improves existing techniques to combat “spam”.

“With DMARC, senders of mail on a large scale can be sure that the mail they send is recognized by suppliers as legitimate, and also establish policies to allow suppliers to reject messages that are trying to simulate the senders” wrote Adam Dawes, Google product manager, in a blog.

Starting Monday, other companies may be included, whether they supply or send e-mail services. Users will have fewer false e-mails.

(MS)