Protecting Our Identity

It’s very disappointing how a once fast-running computer suddenly turns into a slow-as-turtle machine that keeps freezing and restarting. Worse, you don’t remember doing anything stupid that might probably caused the problem. All you could recall is that you clicked on a few ads that suddenly popped out on your screen while you were surfing the net. Well, your computer might be infected by a virus or spyware. But don’t fret; it’s not like the end of the world especially with today’s online virus removal software that can wipe your fears away and give you back that speedy PC in no time.

Most of us just tend to ignore system changes in our computers, which can lead to very serious problems if left untreated. When it comes to virus removal techniques, there are many computer support services that can promptly do the trick. Malware, spyware and other harmful spies that can breach your system’s security can be easily detected with an installation of a powerful antivirus that can delete these threats. On the other hand, if you are an inexperienced newbie in the field of computer repair, you can instantly opt for online help that will surely give you an answer in a matter of minutes. Rather than waiting for your computer technician to do the job for days and days at a very costly rate, you can rely on computer support services online that will resolve your computer’s problems in no time. This will also guarantee PC security 24/7 with its breakthrough technology in detecting and eliminating bugs, viruses and system errors in your computer while preserving your system as it is and keeping your important files safe. Viruses can easily corrupt large amounts of data, worse the entire operating system without the user’s knowledge. Don’t let this kind of horror happen to your computer just because you were trying to save a few bucks on doing things yourself, when in fact you can entrust your computer problems to reliable online PC support services that will be ready to assist you at any time of the day. Worry nothing about privacy issues with your computer’s identity and data when dealing with these companies because they can diagnose PC problems with your system only upon your permission, plus you get to monitor every single action or change that has been performed in your PC while they do their job.

It’s a fine line between safety and danger that viruses always succeed in blurring. These viruses are for real, and they won’t stop doing damage until something powerful has caught them. A strong weapon against them is installing antivirus into your system that will detect and delete all these threats to keep your computer on running fast and clean. A team of online PC support experts can fix this problem right on the dot for you so that you will never have to worry about PC security as you will be protected from these dangerous software that can silence your computers for good.



By: Amaan Goyal

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Very often you can hear the statement that applying online for a credit card is safe and fast. At the same time, it is common knowledge that cases of online identity theft are frequent enough to make people be afraid of it. Is it really dangerous to order plastics via Internet? Let us see how matters stand.

There are a wide range of web-sources where consumers can make an online credit card application: Credit-Land.com, RequestCredit.com and many other sites are known to provide assistance in credit card selection and quick redirection to the bank’s official site. Credit card companies spend a lot of money on products promotion as well as providing credit card application security. Banks want to make people order cards via Internet. The reason is that it minimizes the cost of application processing: there are no extra personnel needed, as well as no expenditures on paper application forms. The information you submit goes straight to the bank’s database; that is why both the applicant and the creditor save a good deal of time.

To protect the personal and financial information you enter on the application page, SSL (secure sockets layer) protocol is used. It implies that the information is twice encrypted: when being submitted in the sending computer and being accepted by the receiving computer. This encryption method guarantees that your information will never be stolen if you submit it through the SSL protected web sites.

However, not every site is supplied with SSL protocol. There are some details to consider if you want to make a really secure online application.

1) The web page is stated to be secure or there is a name of SSL Certificate provider (Verisign, for example)

2) URL of a protected web-page usually begins with https:// (regular pages start with http://)

3) You can see a small lock in the right bottom corner of the screen

4) They ask you to register on a secure site

If you notice some or all of these features on a web site, you can be 100% your information is protected. So, you can choose the bank product for your credit situation and needs and indicate your personal information like address, annual income, social security number etc in the application form provided.

In case you do not see any of the above mentioned signs of security, or the site just seems shady, leave it and go to a reliable web source. One should also be careful with credit card offers coming by e-mail. E-mail is very vulnerable, and there is a great possibility that you will receive malicious mail (become a victim of phishing). Plus, it is required that you should have your computer protected with anti-virus programs.



By: Anne

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redit card companies offer some protections and there are things you should do to protect your privacy and personal information.

Data Security Standards - MasterCard and Visa Protections

To assure consumers that their credit card account information is safe, a set of 12 guidelines was set up by MasterCard and Visa that imposes strict regulations on all transactions between merchants and credit card companies. Every merchant that handles credit card account information is responsible for safeguarding that information and can be held liable for security compromises.

Discover’s Secure Online Account Number Program

Whenever you use your Discover card to make a purchase online, this program generates a random account number to “stand-in” place of your real one. This generated number is then sent to the merchant. Once it is verified with Discover Card, it will link to your account and the purchase is charged to you. The merchant never sees your true account number; only you and Discover have access to it. When the transaction is complete, the randomly generated account number is no longer valid. Any attempts to use it result in denial.

Matching Mailing and Billing Addresses

Another security measure is provided by some online merchants. By requiring that the shipping address match the billing address on the credit card, it safeguards consumers from thieves who steal account numbers and ship their fraudulent purchases to an unrelated address. Any prospective thieves will have to pick up their orders from your mailing address; not something the average anonymity-seeking thief will want to do.

VeriSign SSL (Security Sockets Layer) Technology

The leader in the field of third party systems to help ensure online credit card security, VeriSign is an encryption service. Merchants who use the service are given a public key to encrypt information and a private key to decipher. They provide a nearly unbreakable number of possible code combinations. Websites that participate will have check mark logo visible.

Safeguards Consumers Should Put in Place



Protect your Social Security Number: Any crook who gains access to your Social Security Number can open a line of credit in your name and rack up a load of debt.

Destroy all Solicitations: Intact offers found in your trash can be used by any unscrupulous character. Shred any unwanted cash advance checks and new card offers you get in the mail. Or better yet, opt out of any unsolicited offers by calling 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) to have your name removed from direct marketing lists. Or do it online at OptOutPreScreen.com, which is the official consumer credit reporting industry opt-out website.

Shop only Through Secure Web Sites: The easiest way to identify whether you’re on a secure site is by the web address in the URL. If the web address begins with https://, then you’re in a secure site. If the address begins with http:// (without the “s”), then you are in a non-secure website. Also, your browser displays a padlock icon to indicate you are in a secure site. Usually, this icon is displayed near the bottom on the right side.

Freeze Your Credit When Threatened: To deny any incoming fraudulent applications, freeze your credit with the three major bureaus. The freeze can be removed at any time should you want to open a new account.

Report a lost or stolen card immediately: Call the number on your credit card statement. The longer you delay, the more time the thief has to run up charges.

Features and Services Offered by Card Issuers: A whole array of services are offered by credit card companies aimed at further safeguarding your personal data and limiting the damage if it should be compromised. Some services are offered free of charge, others charge a fee.

Credit Monitoring: Offered by all the major issuers, this service allows the card company to keep watch over your credit report and warns you when there are changes. Cost: Up to $15 per month.

Identity Theft Insurance: Offered by all the major issuers, this insurance policy will cover the cost associated with reclaiming your good name after having your identity stolen. Coverage includes legal fees and lost wages. Cost: Up to $15 per month for up to $25,000 of coverage. Note: Identity theft clauses can be attached to most homeowners or renters insurance policies for $25 to $50 annually.

Photo Security: Offered free of charge by Bank of America and CitiBank, your photo is placed on your credit card to prevent anyone from using your card.

Purchase Monitoring: Offered free by every major credit card company, your transactions are compared to your typical or usual purchasing behavior. A red flag is raised if a purchase appears out of the ordinary and a freeze is initiated on your credit account until the transaction is confirmed as legitimate. Although not fool proof, this service can help stop the more obvious unauthorized transactions.

Zero Liability Policies: Offered free by all the major card issuers, coverage varies from company to company. Once you report an unauthorized purchase on your account, your card issuer’s zero liability policy automatically kicks in, reimbursing you for any stolen funds.

Federal Protection: Even if your issuer’s policy doesn’t cover all fraudulent situations, federal law will likely see to it that you don’t have to pay too much out of pocket. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act you will be liable to pay $50 maximum, no matter how much was illegally charged to your account.

 



By: Noreen Ruth

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How do you like knowing that hackers just sent you a virus? Did you know that there is another way these predators are attacking on the web?

Identity theft is a rapidly growing problem for many people. For several million people, it has already ruined personal transactions.

How can people do this? What are the identity thefts repercussions and what can you do to prevent it?

In the United States alone, identity theft is no longer uncommon because several bureaus are taking immediate actions to be rid of this problem. Yet, there is still some difficult in doing so.

Identity theft can happen when a hacker is able to obtain your information via the Internet. Data such as your full name, bank account number(s), and other information that has been posted online. Once they get this information, they are able to use it for many forms of crime. Whether it be to commit fraud or even just to steal your hardworking money.

All you need to do to know you are broke is check your checking account. All your money is gone!

A new way of online identity theft is spoofing. How does spoofing work you ask? Spoofing works by recreating a website with one that has the same name. In other words, that site becomes one the thief takes control of. He is now the head boss and able to control all the finances from the website.

There are three basic parts can let the thief manipulate ID theft. These are: Domain name, actual content and web hosting.

1. Domain Name - These sites can be purchased from numerous online sources for a small prices. The name will have dashes, letters and numbers.

2. Actual Content - The second component to start a website. Remember HTML and streaming media. This is the second key module in order to publish a site. The vital factor to deem here is the HTML and the streaming media are needed to distribute online.

3. Web Posting - This is the last step in the hacker’s plan to boost his plan off for stealing people’s identity. From here, the thief will say that website plus its principals and employees.

With all this, the profits that is supposed to go to the rightful owners will go to the thieves instead. Potential clients and buyers will not even notice the difference.

Individuals and companies do have a way of protecting themselves. Identity thieves can get through many of the blocks that websites put up. Yet, with two different tactics, companies can reduce their chances of being spoofed.

1. It is important to protect yourself so getting an anti-virus program would be the smart thing to do. One major way thieves can get all your information is sending you worms and viruses.

These viruses will compromise your computer and having one of these anti-virus programs to weed them out can help. The more protected you are, the less chance these thieves will get your personal and company information.

2. Secure servers have the ability to transmit data over the website without compromising people’s information. Using this can help when people are transmitting credit card information to buy something off your website.

A thing that needs to be looked into before you go with a securing server company, be informed about the business you are going to be paying to secure your information before you give out any online data to them.

Get the things that protect your website for your own sake and the sake of those visiting your site.



By: Abhishek Agarwal

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Imagine your shopping at your local electronics store for your favorite game. Low and behold, you find it and grab it off the shelf. You make your way to the front of the store to check out. You get to the cashier, its scanned and your price comes up. NOW, you pull out your credit/debit card (or check) and use it to checkout. You go on with your day and 3 weeks later you get a call from your bank about your card being maxed out and still being charged.

What happened?

You’ve just been a victim to identity theft. Trust me, I’m no expert at identity theft but I browsed online for a few tips to help the younger crowd from becoming a victim to this growing crime.

1. Be watchful of shoulder-surfers. At ATMs and phone booths, thieves will stand close enough to see PIN numbers punched in by users.

2. Mind those credit card receipts, especially since only a few credit card receipts have stopped listing full account numbers and expiration dates. Put the charge slip copies in a safe spot until your credit card bills arrive.

3. Buy a shredder and use it. Shred everything, including credit card receipts (after you’ve reconciled your bill), old bank statements, medical statements, everyday bills, and pre-approved credit card offers. Any document that has personal financial information on it can give an identity thief a foothold into your life.

4. Write clearly on all credit applications. Consistently and completely fill in all credit and loan applications using your full name, first, middle and last. Every bill that comes to your house should be addressed exactly the same.

5. Monitor your credit accounts carefully, so you’ll know if a bill’s missing or unauthorized purchases have been made. Close out unused credit cards. Cutting them up is not enough.

6. Limit the number of credit cards you carry. The fewer cards you have, the easier it is to track them.

7. Get a credit report at least once a year and clean up any errors. Look for personal information and credit accounts that are not yours. Credit bureaus make mistakes.

8. Never leave paid bills in your mailbox for the mail carrier to pick up. Drop them off at a post office box.

9. If you’re moving, contact all your creditors and update them of your address changes immediately. You don’t want credit information and new credit cards being delivered to the wrong address. Likewise, if your credit card expires and you don’t receive a new one, call your creditor immediately.

10. Protect your Social Security number. Only give your Social Security number when absolutely necessary. Avoid using it as your account number whenever possible. If merchants demand it, ask for an alternate number and take your business elsewhere if they insist on writing it on your check. Likewise, don’t print it on your checks.

11. Never carry your Social Security number and driver license together in your wallet.

12. Don’t provide your Social Security number, bank account number or credit card number to anyone who contacts you through telephone solicitation.

13. If you’re shopping with an online merchant for the first time, look for the Trust-e symbol or a Better Business Bureau online seal. These indicate the seller has been independently audited and deemed trustworthy.

14. Make sure any online credit card charges are handled through a secure site or in an encrypted mode. You’ll know you’re on a secure site if the Web page on which you conduct your transaction begins with https instead of the usual http.

15. Only shop on Web sites that offer a privacy policy. Know how your personal information will be handled. Print out privacy policies, warranties, price guarantees and other important information.

Source: http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cc/20020612a.asp

I also recommend you invest a small amount ($9.00 monthly) and signup to LifeLock, a company that strives to keep everyone from having lines of credit made out in their name. If anyone does so, you’ll be contacted immediately and the criminal will be arrested.

You can check out that site on the inline advertisement.

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By: Dustin Verley

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Have you received one yet? You know. The email directing you to visit a familiar website where for some odd reason you’re being asked to update your personal information? The website asks you to verify your passwords, credit card numbers, social security number, or even your bank account. You recognize the company name as one that you’ve done business with in the past, so you click on the “take me there” link and proceed to provide all the information they’ve requested. No problem right? Except you find out much later that the website is a fraud. It was created for one reason: to steal your personal information. Welcome to the world of phishing.

Phishing (pronounced as “fishing”) means to send an email to a recipient falsely claiming to have an established, legitimate business. By fooling the recipient into giving their private information, the phisher has in effect stolen their identity.

It’s not easy to spot an email phishing for information. At first glance, the email may look like it is from a legitimate company. The “From” field of the e-mail may have the .com address of the company mentioned in the e-mail. The clickable link even appears to take you to the company’s website, but in fact, it is a fake website built to replicate the legitimate site.

Many of these people are professional criminals that have spent considerable time in creating emails that look authentic. Users need to review all emails requesting personal information carefully. When reviewing your email remember that the “From Field” can be easily changed by the sender. While it may look like it’s coming from a company you do business with, looks can be deceiving. Keep in mind that phishers will go all out in trying to make their emails look as legitimate as possible. They will even copy logos or images from the official site to use in their emails. They also like to include a clickable link which the recipient can follow to conveniently “update” their information.

How do you check to see if the link is authentic? Point at the link with your mouse, and then look in the bottom left hand screen of your computer. The actual website address to which you are being directed will show up for you to view. This is a fast and easy way to check if you are being directed to a legitimate site.

Also never and I mean NEVER click the links within the text of the e-mail. Delete the e-mail immediately and empty the trash box in all of your e-mail accounts as well. If you are truly concerned that you are missing an important notice regarding one of your accounts, then type the full URL address of the website into your browser. That way you can be confident that you are being directed to the true and legitimate website.

Phishing is a major weapon of choice for online identity thieves. Don’t get hooked.



By: Daryl Campbell

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