Page-Jacking is the use of replicas of reputable web pages to catch users and redirect them to other websites.

Page-jackers copy pages from an established website and put them on a new site that appears to be legitimate. They register this new site with major search engines, so that users doing a search find and follow links to it. When the user arrives at the website, they are automatically redirected to a different site that displays advertising offers or different services.

Page jacking annoys users and can confront them with offensive material. It also reduces revenue for legitimate websites, and makes search engines less useful.

In some cases, page-jacking can be used for 'phishing' (see below).

You cannot be affected by page-jacking if you use a bookmark or 'favourite', or type the website address (URL) in directly.

If you are redirected to a bogus website, you may find that you cannot quit with the back or close buttons. This is called mouse-trapping.

To escape, type an address in the 'Address' field, use a bookmark, or open the list of recently visited addresses and select the next-to-last. To regain the use of the back or close buttons, close the browser or restart the computer.

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Phishing is the use of bogus emails and websites to trick you into supplying confidential or personal information.

Typically, you receive an email that appears to come from a reputable organisation, such as a bank. The email includes what appears to be a link to the organisations website. However, if you follow the link, you are connected to a replica of the website. Any details you enter, such as account numbers, PINs or passwords, can be stolen and used by the phishers who created the bogus site.

You should always be wary about following links sent to you in emails. Instead, enter the website address in the 'Address' field, or use a bookmark or a 'favourite' link, to make sure you are connecting to the genuine site.

Anti-spam software will also help to block phishing email.