Anti-Phishing Working Group

Anti-Phishing Working Group is a global association working for the reduction and prevention of identity theft, phishing scams, fraud and malware. The association works in collaboration with international organizations including ISPs, governmental agencies, multilateral treaty organizations, research centers, trade associations, online retailers, banks, police and security providers.[1] Currently APWG has more than 2,000 members but membership is constantly growing among eligible organizations. According to APWG surveys and studies, malware is continuously increasing.[2]

Type: non-profit
Founded: 2003
Founder(s): David Jevans
Website: AntiPhishing.org
Facebook: APWG
Twitter: @APWG

APWG organizes meetings, seminars and summits to increase cyber-security awareness. The complete list of past and upcoming events can be seen here.

APWG & ICANN

APWG and ICANN have several common members. Representatives from both organizations attend select functions held by the other.[3]

Public Education

APWG has taken an initiative to educate people about phishing scams, the association has started several education programs:[4]

  • Phishing Education Landing Page Program started with Carnegie Mellon CyLab's Supporting Trust Decisions Project in 2008
  • Fax Back Phishing Education Program
  • The APWG/NCSA's Stop. Think. Connect. Messaging Convention started in 2009 with NCSA
  • APWG/NCSA Counter Muling Project

Besides these programs APWG has started an eCrime research project. The association invites academic institutions, researchers and industry individuals from all over the world to participate in its conferences.[5]

Sponsors

APWG is sponsored by several international organizations, including known security providers:[6]

Other sponsor organizations include AT&T, Afilias Ltd., AVG Technologies, BBN Technologies, Cisco, PayPal (EBAY), eCert, Entrust, GoDaddy, Kaspersky Labs, MasterCard, Microsoft, MySpace, National Australia Bank, NetStar, Network Solutions, NeuStar, Panda Software, SIDN, Tagged, Verisign and Yahoo!.[7]

Additional Links

  • APWG phishing and eCrime news.
  • Report a suspected site here.

References