Keep your shields up as you cruise the Internet and, even, as you open and read e-mail. Take this short quiz and see how scam and phish-proof you are.

More on Avoiding Scams: Job Search Scam Avoidance Guide Home Scam/Phish Proof Quiz Quiz Solution Dangerous Assumptions Job Search Scam Self-Defense Sniff Test 9 Characteristics of a Job Scam Driver's License Job Scam Reshipper & Payment Job Rep Scams Understanding IP's and Domains More Information: Free eBook: Choosing a Safe Job Board Using Craigslist to Find a Job Choosing a Job Site Dirty Dozen Online Job Search Mistakes How to Protect Your Privacy

The QUIZ

Answer these 7 questions, and then check the Solution to see your score.

[Note: All situations, URL’s, IP addresses, and names used below are intended to be fictitious. Monster.com and Google.com are used in the examples because they are so well known, but any employer or job site could have been used. These kinds of situations are not unique or specific to Monster or Google.]

1.  You receive an e-mail recruiting you for a job at Google. The URL printed in the message is http://www.Google.com/jobs/

However, when you click on the link, the URL in the “Address” bar of your Web browser is http://216.78.94.111/google.com/jobs/

The page you see displays the Google logo and links to the other parts of the Google website.

You are really viewing a page of Google's website.

     True           False

2.  Following a link in a Facebook post, you visit a website that displays the Monster.com logo, and it looks exactly like the Monster.com website looked the last time you visited it.

When you look in the “Address” bar of your browser, you see this URL – http://www.youcantrustus.net/monster.com/

You are really viewing a page from the Monster.com website.

     True           False

3.  Following a link in a tweet, you visit a website that looks like Monster.com (the logo is there, and it looks very official).

When you look in the address bar of your browser, you see this URL - http://www.monster.com-example.net

You are really viewing a page from the Monster.com website.

     True           False

4.  An acquaintance sends you a link to a job he found that he thought would interest you.

It appears to be on Monster.com (has the Monster logo, etc.). When you click on the link to apply for it, you notice the URL in the “Address” bar of your browser - http://monster.youcantrustus.net/jobs/.

You are really applying for a job on Monster.com.

     True           False

5.  At one of the big Web job sites, you find a good job opportunity. When you check out the company website to learn more about the employer, it looks impressive. You apply for the job.

Within a few days, you receive an e-mail from one of the company’s recruiters, asking you to fax them your driver’s license so they can begin the interview process. They say they need the license to verify that you can fulfill one of the job's requirements - driving from one company location to another.

This is a legitimate request.

     True           False

6.  At your favorite job site, you submit your resume for a job with Google, because it looks like a good fit for you. Soon you receive an e-mail from a recruiter representing Google. He says that Google is very interested in you, but as part of their pre-screening process, he needs to do a reference check and a credit screening before any interviews are scheduled. So he wants you to send him an e-mail with your Social Security Number and the address of your last residence. His e-mail address is GoogleJobs@yahoo.com.

This is a legitimate request.

     True           False

7.  Out of the blue, you receive e-mail with “employment@google.com” as the “from” address, perhaps claiming to have found your resume on a major job board.

You can trust that someone from Google actually sent this message.

     True           False

_______________________________

The ANSWERS

If you selected "True" as the response to any of these questions, you chose the wrong answer. They are ALL false!

For the answers, with explanations, see the Quiz Solution

For more information, see the article About Domain Names

© Copyright, 1998 - 2012, Susan P. Joyce. All rights reserved.

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About the author...

Online job search expert Susan P. Joyce has been observing the online job search world and teaching online job search skills since 1995. Susan is a two-time layoff "graduate" who has worked in human resources at Harvard University and in a compensation consulting firm. In 1998, her company, NETability, Inc. purchased Job-Hunt.org, and Susan has been editor and publisher of Job-Hunt since then. Follow Susan on Twitter at @jobhuntorg and on Google+.

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