Top Identity Theft Methods

According to the FTC, over the past 5 years over 27.3 million people have had their identity stolen. That's a scary number, made more concerning by the fact that most people don't even realize their identity has been "borrowed" until after the damage is done. At this very minute, someone could be merrily opening credit card accounts and applying for mortgages under your name. It's important to take steps to actively protect your identity. The first step is to be aware of the various methods thieves have of obtaining your personal information. Some of them are predictable, while others are more surprising. The list below is a great starting point.

• Getting your credit card information during an in-person transaction: This usually happens at a retail location where you're using your credit card to make a payment. Thieves can see and memorize your credit card info (or just write it down) and then turn around and use it to make their own purchases. They have even been known to resort to taking pictures of your card with a long range camera lens!
• Stealing your mail: Make sure your mailbox has a sturdy lock, and that you keep a close watch on your mail trends. Haven't gotten any mail for a while? A thief may have submitted a change of address on your behalf to have your billing statements mailed to an address they control. They can then apply for credit card offers that you receive and obtain credit cards in your name.
• Stolen wallets or purses: If your wallet or purse has been taken or "lost," immediately cancel all the credit cards. This is also a good time to put a credit freeze on your credit records at all 3 credit bureaus and start looking into identity theft protection services.
• Dumpster diving: You'd be surprised how much personal information people throw in the trash. It's easy for thieves to acquire this information and use it for their own means. Make sure you shred all your documents and take the proper precautions.
• Eavesdropping on phone conversations: People are usually pretty lax about what they'll say on the phone. With the advent of mobile phones, it's very easy for a thief to overhear you divulging personal information to a friend. Always be aware of what you're saying and who might be around you.
• Phishing: This is a common email scam where you receive an email from a company of authority, such as your bank, PayPal or eBay. The email will ask you to provide personal information (like a password) by responding to the email or going to a link in the email, or even by calling them. Do not ever respond to these emails! No legitimate company will ever ask you for personal information via email.
• Computer viruses: Hackers can create viruses that will invade your computer, acquire personal information, and send that information back to the hacker. Always have a current version of internet security software installed on your computer and make sure you keep it up to date.
• Intercepting data from insecure sites or networks: If you're accessing your bank account or shopping online, make sure the site is encrypted. Look for a "https://" at the front of the URL. This indicates the site utilizes SSL encryption to keep your online transactions safe.
• Pretexting or Social Engineering: This occurs when a thief uses false pretenses to get your personal information. One popular scheme is to call you, pretending to be your bank, utility company or other institution that might have access to your personal information. They will then ask for you to provide or confirm some piece of personal information. If someone calls you, don't give this information to them. Instead, look up the number of the company (if it's a bank or credit company, usually the number will be on the back of your card), and call them directly.

Some of the schemes mentioned above are fairly easy to protect against, others are more challenging. It's a good idea to stay on top of your credit records, as suspicious changes or updates to your credit history can indicate potential identity theft. The easiest way to do this is by signing up for an identity theft protection These services will usually monitor your credit history and actively stay on top of any leaks or use of your personal information.

Internet Landmines - what can a click do?

It is unbelievable how much harm a single click can do. Yet many people flirt around innocently with the internet, unaware of the dangers that are out there. In a lot of ways internet is like an area filled with landmines and any step of yours can be lethal.

Time is premium for most people these days and most of us assume and neglect some critical aspects of internet browsing. In a recent survey, it was concluded that more than 90% of internet users click “OK” or “YES” without reading the content. When installing software, most people in their haste to install their product, click “Next” without reading what they are signing up for, this becomes a habit beyond a point. This is exploited by some of the hackers.

Just a small wonder- have you ever read the term and conditions while signing up for mail account or while installing software? Answer it yourself :)

Many types of software are designed to send back information to the server computer on a regular basis. This information can vary between internet user patters to system resource usage patterns. Even many popular security software products send such information, which is later populated to develop a better product. But sometimes other malicious software might send out vital information such as your credit card information, SSN, or even bank account number and some other important documents which may be stored in your PC for your personal use.
In spite of advancement in the online security technology, there are many sites that pose various levels of threat to the computers. If you have a proper security system installed in your computer, you will be warned. But many people take this lightly, but without your knowledge your security is compromised.

This happens, mostly in case of firewall software’s – when there is a some network trying to access your computer, most of them don’t even have look at what message is being shown in the pop-up and just click “Allow” – sometimes a traffic which needs a “Deny” would be allowed.

Since most of the world, other than Europe and North America, is only recently getting acquainted with the internet. There are many unaware users on the internet. It is not difficult to get the hang once you have been browsing for a while, but initially people trust most of websites what they see, as most of them for a fact lack experience and are unaware about the online security threats.

So here is a little important information that computer users can follow.

• Read and Think before you click “Yes” or “I Agree”

• See if the website has got a “Privacy Policy”

• Always trust sites which are verified by Third Party i.e. having SSL certificate.

• Be careful about phishing attacks through email – You many receive a email claiming it to be from bank, but actually sent by a hacker.

• Always have a look at the link address once before clicking on items. If the link address does not match with the parent site, it is better to avoid such a link.

• Never click on suspicious links.

• Read the security alerts/ pop-ups, before you proceed to click “Access” “Yes” or “Deny”.

• Do not provide your personal information over chat to unknown persons.

• Do not share your passwords

• Have a Virus Scanning Software.

Most Possible Internet Security Threats for 2009

Computer security threats have been increasing along with the technology growth, and high usage of World Wide Web. Though there are Internet Security Software’s including firewall, antivirus, spyware remover, adware blocker, anti-phishing tools or any other computer security products, still there is a risk if the software is not up-to-date. As there is increase in new threats such as viruses, Trojans and worms which infects a PC fast, before the software providers can get a signature to neutralize it. Once the signature is updated, and the software has got an option of automatic updates, then our computer is safe, as the security threat can be neutralized or even quarantined to make the computer safe and secure from further infections. So it has become an utmost importance for the computer user to be aware and secure while surfing the internet.

The other reason why there is increase in the online theft & easy injection of malware into the computer is because of the increased usage of fake pirated version of software in PC system. If a person uses a pirated version of software, then the risk of virus affecting the system is high, due to lack of periodic updates. So it is always to good spend some $10 to buy a real version of software, instead of losing $100 using a pirated version of software. Coming to the predictions for 2009 the Internet security threats and Vulnerabilities may include

Increase in Phishing attacks (Stealing the Identity online) Also see types of phishing.

Increase in Pharming attacks (Hacking done by redirecting the website traffic to a genuine website to a bogus website)

Increase in Instant Messenger Attacks (The online culprits use to send worm or Trojan, which sends automated messages to the people in address book, when the user is online/offline, and when the receiver opens the instant message, and click the link specified in the message, it will again go the recipients present in their address, like a chain)

Increase in Email Spam (Phishers and Hackers try sending out spam – fake messages attached with some virus, spyware, Keyloggers or Trojan trying to make computer users to fall prey them)

Increase in online pop-up ads (Some companies give free software, along with adware, which notifies the company of what the user is typing or searching in the internet, who inturn send pop-up messages, and promotional materials to the computer user which may make him/her disgusting and who need to be ad aware from such adware’s)

Increase in vulnerability attacks (This may be in any of above said forms. Sometimes the Operation system is vulnerable to attacks, if there is no proper protection)

Increase in other such crimes via online internet gaming, pornography etc.

The above said is the possible internet security threats based on the present scenario. In simple, the present threats will increase in future, pertaining to the development in technology.