How Your Identity Is Stolen
With the advent of computer technology entering every facet of our lives,identity theft is becoming more common. Today more people spend time online than ever before. As we exchange ideas and information online we provide those with less scrupulous intentions the opportunity to steal our identity. We very often exchange some of our most personal information through social networks like squidoo,myspace,hubpages,digg,stumbleupon are just a few. In addition, We shop,fill out job applications,submit resumes,buy airline tickets,conduct business among many other activites online. Very often we perform these activities online because it is the quickest or in some cases the only way to exchange information. You can reduce the risk of letting your identity fall into the wrong hands.
Clever Ways Thieves Steal Your Identity
The Practice Of Phishing
Phishing is a technique used to gain your trust.
A common scenario are emails requesting you update information. The phisher may be posing as a bank, credit card company,paypal,etc. In some instances, they may claim that you have won a sweepstakes,inheritance or prize. Using this excuse to justify the request for mailing address and more information.
Phishers will provide a url leading to a page where they will collect your data.
If the perpetrators are posing as a financial institution the url may sound similiar and the landing page may appear to be that of the institution.
Just providing these sites with a phone number can give them the means to access more from phone and address lookup search engines,public records, etc.
You can imagine what would happen if you entered critical information like your social security or credit card number on one of these phishing sites. Some people have had their lives and finances severly impacted by such schemes. And after exhausting all resources, persue the difficult task of trying to get the government to issue them a new social security number.
A common scenario are emails requesting you update information. The phisher may be posing as a bank, credit card company,paypal,etc. In some instances, they may claim that you have won a sweepstakes,inheritance or prize. Using this excuse to justify the request for mailing address and more information.
Phishers will provide a url leading to a page where they will collect your data.
If the perpetrators are posing as a financial institution the url may sound similiar and the landing page may appear to be that of the institution.
Just providing these sites with a phone number can give them the means to access more from phone and address lookup search engines,public records, etc.
You can imagine what would happen if you entered critical information like your social security or credit card number on one of these phishing sites. Some people have had their lives and finances severly impacted by such schemes. And after exhausting all resources, persue the difficult task of trying to get the government to issue them a new social security number.
Software Programs That Steal Your Identity
Keyloggers Recording Your Every Move
What are keystroke and keyloggers?
They are software programs and sometimes hardware devices that record keystrokes.
If it is a hardware device then it must be connected to your computer. But in the instance where the keystroke logger is software then this is not necessary. These are programs that can be delivered as trojans,through emails,spyware or by entering dangerous sites.
Not all keyloggers are bad.
A prime example of this would be if you wanted to monitor your child's activity on the internet. Employers have also used keyloggers to monitor employee productivity on the job.
As with anything,it is to which purpose these tools will be used which determined whether the outcome will be good or bad.
Dangers of keyloggers
One of the reasons there is so much concern over keystroke loggers is that have the ability to record passwords and sensitive information entered into secure sites.
Keyloggers can send out an email to the implementer of such programs a log of all your keystroke activities.
They are software programs and sometimes hardware devices that record keystrokes.
If it is a hardware device then it must be connected to your computer. But in the instance where the keystroke logger is software then this is not necessary. These are programs that can be delivered as trojans,through emails,spyware or by entering dangerous sites.
Not all keyloggers are bad.
A prime example of this would be if you wanted to monitor your child's activity on the internet. Employers have also used keyloggers to monitor employee productivity on the job.
As with anything,it is to which purpose these tools will be used which determined whether the outcome will be good or bad.
Dangers of keyloggers
One of the reasons there is so much concern over keystroke loggers is that have the ability to record passwords and sensitive information entered into secure sites.
Keyloggers can send out an email to the implementer of such programs a log of all your keystroke activities.
What You Can Do To Guard Your Identity
Prevention always the best measure
Password Managers
Get a good password manager and form filler that will protect against keyloggers by entering your data at speeds quicker than keyloggers can detect. Many of these have a built-in password generator and will automatically log you in without ever having to touch the keyboard. Some also provide a virtual keyboard feature(where you click keyboard pictures instead of keys) as with RoboForm.
Be Cautious
Never use someone else's computer to visit sites where you may leave sensitive information.
The reason being is that you do not know if their system may be infected with trojans,keyloggers,spyware or hardware that they may have inadvertantly downloaded allowing someone to gain access to your private information.
Use spyware and antivirus removal software frequently to remove any threats from your computer.
Keep sensitive information under lock and key in your home.
Check your surroundings when using debit cards at ATM's and shopping.
Never give your social security or credit card number over the phone unless you initiate the call.
Get a good password manager and form filler that will protect against keyloggers by entering your data at speeds quicker than keyloggers can detect. Many of these have a built-in password generator and will automatically log you in without ever having to touch the keyboard. Some also provide a virtual keyboard feature(where you click keyboard pictures instead of keys) as with RoboForm.
Be Cautious
Never use someone else's computer to visit sites where you may leave sensitive information.
The reason being is that you do not know if their system may be infected with trojans,keyloggers,spyware or hardware that they may have inadvertantly downloaded allowing someone to gain access to your private information.
Use spyware and antivirus removal software frequently to remove any threats from your computer.
Keep sensitive information under lock and key in your home.
Check your surroundings when using debit cards at ATM's and shopping.
Never give your social security or credit card number over the phone unless you initiate the call.
New Amazon Voting (Plexo)
Kidswatch Internet Security Parental Control V5
KidsWatch is a family product that can meet the ch more...0 points
![PC Pandora [NEW - Version 5.0]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Hiof7NfwL._SL75_.jpg)
PC Pandora [NEW - Version 5.0]
PC Pandora monitors your PC! Like a TiVo for your more...0 points
CA Internet Security Suite 2007 - 3 User
Internet Security 2007 gives you comprehensive pro more...0 points
WEBROOT PARENTAL CONTROLS 3-PC (WIN XP,VISTA)
WEBROOT PARENTAL CONTROLS 3-PC (WIN XPVISTA)0 points
Tech
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
by DollyJean
Online marketer and article writer.
Interests include the internet and the potential of this medium to be used as a great device for communication and... (more)
Interests include the internet and the potential of this medium to be used as a great device for communication and... (more)
