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Internet Identity Theft - How You Can Shield Yourself
With the advent of the World Wide Web, a whole new breed of criminals have surfaced, posing threats to more than just our material assets, but also to our very identities. Although there are a number of effective methods for protecting yourself from internet identity theft, not everyone takes the necessary steps to initiate such a plan. By tightening up your own personal security measures, you'll be far safer when you go online, and much less likely to become just another victim in the world of cyber-theft. Securing your Channel Anybody who's spent any amount of time online knows that internet addresses begin with "http://". This is used to electronically communicate the request for a line in which to jump onto the internet, and is what most people use for web surfing. Those who are a bit savvier know that a request can be put in for a secure channel, which will deflect attempts to capture any personal data that may be transmitted through the line, such as in the case of bank account numbers for those who prefer to do online banking. In order to request a secure channel, simply begin the web address with "https://" - the "s" is a red flag to the system that you're requesting a secure channel. Credit Card vs. Debit Card Making online purchases using a credit card is a fairly common practice today, but is far different from using a debit card online. If you really must make a purchase in this way, don't ever use a debit card. Once the funds are removed from your account, you'll be unable to retrieve them, but a credit card charge can be disputed and - in most cases - the amount that was charged without your authorization can be retrieved. Phishing Scams While it's simply common sense not to provide anyone with your password to an online account - or other information that might be used to access it by an outside entity - some rather creative scams have been perpetrated, which are convincing enough to lure even the most cautious of consumers into their trap. The best example of this type of scenario would be the receipt of an e-mail from your bank, payment service or online auction host that appears to be perfectly legitimate, telling you that you need to confirm your account number, password or balance due to some type of fraud investigation, etc., that they've initiated. Typically, a link is offered that you're instructed to click onto, in order to verify that you are, in fact, the owner of the account. When you sign in with your screen name and password after clicking on the link, these electronic thieves capture that information and use it against you in the future. The moral of the story is that, if you should receive any type of communication from one of these types of institutions, always use an outside internet line to contact them directly in order to confirm the fact that they've sent you this e-mail. In nearly every case, these messages are fraudulent. Social Security and Credit Cards Since cards such as these contain extremely sensitive information about your identity - particularly in the case of the social security card - then the best way to guard against internet identity theft is to avoid providing them online. If these are truly needed in order to process some type of transaction, then it's better to request that a hard copy form is sent to you through the postal service, and take care of the matter in that way. Use Common Sense Protecting yourself from internet identity theft is largely a matter of common sense. If there's a bit of sensitive information that no-one else should be privy to, then it's not a good idea to blast it across the internet - unless you're feeling very, very lucky. The author grants reprint permission to all venues so long as the copyright and by-line are included intact. Copyright © 2005 Preventing Identity Theft.com All Rights Reserved. About the Author: Nikki Greene is dedicated to helping you become better informed when it comes to preventing identity theft. Sign up for her "Preventing Identity Theft Newsletter" and keep up with the latest trends, identity theft in the news, and how you can safeguard your identity: http://www.preventing-identity-theft.com/
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CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies New Survey Finds a Paradox of Confidence in Software Supply Chain Security Security Boulevard EXCLUSIVE: Two students uncover security bug that could let millions do their laundry for free TechCrunch Amazon security guard tries to kill unsuspecting boss before he's shot dead in gunfight with police: 'He almost executed me' New York Post FCC proposes BGP security measures Network World Endpoint Security and Network Monitoring News for the Week of May 17; Alkira, Preamble, c/side, and More Solutions Review Diddy Seen Physically Assaulting Cassie in Never-Before-Seen 2016 Hotel Security Footage Entertainment Tonight Putin has ditched his paranoid security chief. Here are 5 of the wackiest things Nikolai Patrushev has said. POLITICO Europe RSA Conference 2024: AI and the Future Of Security Security Boulevard Fox News Poll: Abortion, economy, and border security are top deal-breakers in 2024 elections Fox News See cops working security at Tacoma grocery stores? Here’s why and what policies allow Tacoma News Tribune OWASP dep-scan: Open-source security and risk audit tool Help Net Security Opinion | Is TikTok Chinese ownership a U.S. national security issue? Come on. - The Washington Post Opinion | Is TikTok Chinese ownership a U.S. national security issue? Come on. The Washington Post UN sexual violence envoy pulls out of Security Council briefing on Hamas hostages The Times of Israel 7 months since Oct 7, UN Security Council holds first meeting entirely dedicated to Israeli hostages in Gaza All Israel News PKI-Based Passkeys Lead The Way For A Passwordless Future Security Boulevard Multnomah County Signs $40 Million Contract for Armed and Unarmed Security at County Facilities, Including Public ... Willamette Week An inspector general warned the Justice Department of gaps in its security clearance appeals process Government Executive Enabling Continuous Zero Trust in Multi-Cloud Environments with Netography Fusion Security Boulevard May 17: IDF fighter jet carries out rare strike on target in West Bank city of Jenin The Times of Israel Votiro Keeps Up the Momentum in 2024 Security Boulevard A Free, Prosperous, and Secure Future for Ukraine - United States Department of State Department of State The Best Home Security Systems of 2024 Security.org The situation concerning Iraq - Security Council, 9628th meeting Welcome to the United Nations JLOTS, an obscure Army-Navy capability, arrives in Gaza NavyTimes.com Brothers Indicted for Stealing $25 Million of Ethereum in 12 Seconds Security Boulevard Cybersecurity Insights with Contrast CISO David Lindner | 5/17/24 Security Boulevard The Dell API Breach: It could have been prevented Security Boulevard 'Abnormal' security video, Google Drive led to Stephan Sterns' arrest in Madeline Soto case, documents show WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando America's Envoy to the United Nations Gets 'Honest' With Security Council About the Fate of Hamas's Hostages The New York Sun Making Safety and Security Intrinsic to School Design Campus Security Today Response to CISA Advisory (AA24-131A): #StopRansomware: Black Basta Security Boulevard USENIX Security ’23 – AEX-Notify: Thwarting Precise Single-Stepping Attacks Through Interrupt Aware... 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