First we had phishing, now we’ve got pharming — a newer buzzword in Internet scams and a computer attack threat that’s especially dangerous for people who use home networks. Why? Because even the best anti-virus software and firewalls can’t detect or stop pharming once it hits your system.

Phishing vs. Pharming
Let’s start by explaining the difference between phishing and pharming. "Phishing" is when you get what seems to be a legit email inviting you to click a link that takes you to a website that also looks genuine. In fact, it’s a spoof, set up to look like your bank or PayPal or some other site you trust, that asks you to key in your user name, password or other important information. Then they’ve got you; you’re hooked and ready to reel in! Pharming: How You Can Beat This Growing Threat