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Identity Theft- How To Fight This Robberry |
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Written by Jack Hobbs
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Wednesday, 17 February 2010 |
Today’s biggest cyber security concern is Identity Theft. Cyber thieves use all kinds of methods (hacking, use of spyware for intercepting information, etc.) in stealing personal or financial information from their victims, mostly from the computers.
The latest of these nefarious activities even sports a name: phishing (pronounced like ‘‘fishing”). The thief sends a simple e-mail that looks like it came from a genuine site (mostly from financial institutions as Citibank, eBay, PayPal, Best Buy and others), telling you there is a problem with your account.
They would then ask you to click on a certain link in the e-mail, and you are taken to a site that looks exactly like that of your bank. Here, they will ask you to fill out again your Social Security or credit card numbers, and/or other confidential numbers.
The following are some ways to minimize the risk of your identity being stolen:
Do business with reputable companies
Some attackers may try to trick you by creating web sites that appear to be legitimate.
Don’t visit any site that is using third party links. Open a new browser and type the address yourself if you want to visit a site.
You can also check privacy policies to see how the company in question use and distribute information. Many companies allow customers to request that their information not be shared with other companies.
Maintain a security mindset – always be skeptical of unfamiliar sites and links, suspicious e-mails and IM messages.
Anti-virus software and firewall
As standard practice, use and maintenance of an anti-virus software and firewall will protect your computer from attacks that may steal or modify data in your computer.
Make sure to keep your anti-virus program and firewall up to date.
As precautionary steps, regularly check your credit reports for strange transactions or transactions you don’t recall, unusual charges on your bills, bills for products and services you don’t have, or worse, unexpected denial of your credit card.
Once the identity robbery has been confirmed, calls to appropriate companies and agencies have to be done immediately. Have your credit card accounts closed right away so future charges will be denied.
Contact the Social Security Administration if your SSS card number has been accessed or the DMV if your driver’s license or car registration papers were stolen. This is to warn these agencies for possible unauthorized use of your personal ID information. Of course, you need to file a criminal report with the local police.
For U.S. citizens, you need to contact the main credit reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to see if there had been any unexpected or unauthorized activity. Have fraud alerts placed on your credit reports to prevent new accounts from being opened without verification. File a complaint with the FTC and IFCC.
A website, IdentityTheftActionPlan.com, had been created to help citizens prevent, detect, and respond to identity theft and fraud. Within the site is information on how identity theft occurs, the latest prevention tips, what to do in case you are victimized and pertinent information of law enforcement agencies that investigate these crimes. Two other sites to learn more about phishing and ID 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 enjoined to keep up with the latest information, so that they can do the appropriate action by themselves. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 17 February 2010 )
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Cyber Security - What Are The Truths? |
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Written by Jack Hobbs
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Friday, 15 January 2010 |
We all know the cyber security is important. Having a good password is important to keep confidential information protected. We know that having an anti-virus, anti-malware and spyware application do wonders especially when you’re connected into a network or the web. Having all those applications is a good thing but we also know that having a correct firewall setting is quite important as well.
However, what most of us don’t know and what we are forced to believe is that having these precautionary measures are just enough. Well they are not. It is time that you know the truth and expose some of the myths cyber security that we have believed for years.
Let’s start of with anti-virus software and your system firewall. Despite what manufacturers say, despite what the advertisements say, despite what some of your friends tell you, no anti-virus software or firewalls for that matter are 100% effective. You need to understand that for one virus creators make malicious codes that are so advanced that an anti-virus application is not yet capable of handling an attack from it.
Despite the regular updates released by anti-virus software companies, they cannot foresee what kinds of virus will come out next month or the month after that. They can only provide their customers with protection based on the virus that they know off and the potential virus that could come out. As mentioned or implied earlier, the best way to have a degree of protection is combine the technologies together. Have separate virus software installed and keep a strong firewall active. Although, there might be a problem with some applications not working well together but conduct your won research and see which software works well together.
It is also important to know that not because you have installed an application that’s the end of it. You see you will need to get the patches or updates that manufacturers release. These patches or updates are fixes on some little or sometimes big inconsistencies or bugs in the application. This is very important for anti-virus applications especially.
Look into your installed application and see it there is a n automatic updating option, which there usually is, that allows you to automatically receive updates whenever manufacturers release a new version or an upgrade of the system.
Also, don’t believe that just because you have mainly personal and insignificant information in your computer that it’s not worth protecting at all. Please bear in mind that what you think is not important can turn out be quite useful for hackers. Every bit of information you have in your computer, email or any other system can be manipulated and used by hackers to access more of your confidential information or use it to gain some profit. Even if you keep your files in a computer not connected to any network, the one that a hacker gains access to can be used to attack other computers or cause problems with other systems.
Not being rich is not a good enough reason of being attacked as well. Hackers and identity thieves will grab any opportunity that they come across with. If they can get you personal information easily, they will do so and think about how they can use it for their personal gain and believe me, they will think of a way.
After we exposed some of these myths and now you know the truth cyber security, I hope you get a renewed conviction regarding cyber security.
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Mobile Computing - How About Wi-Fi Technology? |
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Written by Jack Hobbs
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Sunday, 20 December 2009 |
Mobile computing device are indeed one of the highlights of the 21st century.  With innovations continuously surging up, the mobile computing device is rapidly shaping the different aspects of our world, reaching every part possible. It has had a wide contribution to the global economy, to the education system, to both mainstream and unconventional entertainment, and even up to the societal cluster. The wonder of it all is that it does not stop there. With limitless capabilities that the mobile device can readily offer to the greater populace, it is only probably true that it has become a standard of our time.
Mobile Computing Impacting the Global Scene
There are many reasons behind these devices' ability to impact the global scene. Having one with you as a daily companion is in truth something that is very beneficial for the user. These reasons all the more prove the power that the mobile computing device can offer to the society.
The main benefit that can be acquired from all such trendy devices is that you can do things when you are not confined in one place. Before, the normal scenario of a typical working day is an employee having to go to the office and finish his tasks there. However, today, as he is equipped with the various kinds of mobile computing gadgets, he can practically accomplish his duties from anywhere he wants. The mobile device gives him the freedom to situate himself wherever he feels comfortable.
Wi-Fi Technology, The Latest In Mobile Computing
Moreover, with the technology of wi-fi, you are connected to the rest of the world wherever you may be. Public computer shops and personal desktops have already been things of the past. Mobile computers are already giving people the opportunity to connect with whomever they desire even if they are continents apart.
The mobile computers are portable which means everything you may need for the day ahead is contained in one gadget that fits in your pocket. Since it is a handy gadget, the mobile device is always with you, making it more convenient for you during times that you have urgent tasks to fulfill.
Man Keeping Up With Technology
The mobile computing device also gives you the power to access information easily. The age of libraries and databases have already left the scene and gave the pavement to the mobile device. Since these gadgets are always connected to the World Wide Web, information is readily available for you to view. Such ability, if taken into a more serious perspective, changes the way education is being carried out. Nowadays, online tutorials give students the opportunity to learn outside the classroom. Online encyclopedias and resources even improve the conventional system of education.
Really, these devices are also a great source of entertainment. With various applications that can be installed in the device, it becomes the personal ally of its user. Furthermore, the mobile computing device, with all that it has to offer to its users, consequently encourages multi-tasking and efficiency of work. With everything that you have to ever need all packed in one, the mobile computing device becomes one's reason to efficiently fulfill duties while enjoying its different features.
These are only some of the advantages these mobile computing tools have to offer the public. As technology continues to improve the state of the mobile computing device, there is no doubt that it is a trend unlikely to leave the global scene. |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 20 December 2009 )
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