Cyber Security

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Cyber Security And Identity Theft

Today's greatest cyber security concern is Identity Theft. Cyber hackers apply all sorts of techniques (hacking, use of malware for intercepting data, etc.) in stealing personal or financial data from their victims, generally from their computers.

The most recent of these underhanded identity theft activities even boasts a name: phishing (pronounced like ''fishing"). The identity thief transmits a simple e-mail that appears as though it arrived from a actual site (mostly from financial institution such as Citibank, eBay, PayPal, Best Buy and others), telling you there's a problem with your account.

They would then call for you to click on a certain link in the e-mail, and you're taken to a Internet site that appears precisely like that of your bank. Here, they'll ask you to complete once again your Social Security or credit card numbers, and/or other confidential numbers.

The following are some ways to minimize the chance of your personal identity being stolen:

Do business with reputable companies
A few attackers could try to deceive you by making web sites that look to be legitimate.
Do not visit any Internet site that's utilizing third party links. Open up a new web browser and type the address yourself whenever you want to visit the web site.

You can also read a web sites privacy policies to ascertain how the company in question uses and disseminates information. Numerous companies permit customers to request that their selective information not be shared with additional parties.

Maintain a security mind-set - all of the time be doubting of unfamiliar web sites and links, leery e-mails and IM messages.

Anti-virus software and firewall
As standard identity theft protection practices, use and maintenance of an anti-virus software and firewall. This will protect your computer from hacker attempts that could steal or change information in your computer.
Make certain to keep your anti-virus program and firewall up to date.

Combating identity theft
As precautionary measures, on a regular basis check your credit reports for unusual transactions or transactions you do not remember, strange charges on your bills, charges for merchandises and services you do not have, or worse, unexpected denial of your credit card.

When the personal identity theft has been confirmed, calls to appropriate companies and authorities have to be executed at once. Have your credit card accounts closed at once so future charges will be refused.

Contact the Social Security Administration if your Social Security card number has been stolen or the DMV if your driver's license or car registration documents were stolen. Do this to warn these agencies for potential identity theft and unauthorized use of your personal ID information. Naturally, you need to lodge a criminal complaint with the local police.

For United States Citizens, you need to contact the primary credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to check if there has been unforeseen or unauthorized activity. Have fraud alerts put on your credit report to prevent new accounts from being opened without verification. Lodge a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and IFCC.

A web site, IdentityTheftActionPlan.com, had been made to help citizens prevent, discover, and react to identity theft and fraud. Inside the site is information on how identity theft happens, the most recent prevention tips, what to do in the event you are victimized and appropriate information from law enforcement agencies that look into these crimes. Two other Internet sites to learn more about phishing and identity theft are the following: consumer.gov/idtheft/ and
idtheftcenter.org

Vigilance, information and action
Cyber security dictates that every cyber citizen (those using computers and the Internet in most of their activities) needs to be vigilant at all times.

Everyone is encouraged to keep abreast with the cutting-edge technology, so that they can take the suitable action by themselves. SJA