Internet Identity Theft Protection and Prevention

Internet Security...

Protecting The Files on Your Computer!
Although there have been numerous condemnations about the extent of security breaches on the internet, statistics show that internet identity theft is only responsible for approximately 30% of known identity theft cases. Statistics, statistics, statistics! To be sure, statistics will not guarantee that internet identity theft won't continue to increase. As computer hackers become more and more sophisticated, they will perfect programs and viruses directly aimed at stealing your identity, and it will be up to you to take the necessary precautions and upgrades to your computer to stop their criminal activities. Anyone who surfs the web has to protect their computers with a firewall--particularly those who are using DSL or cable modems. Since DSL and Cable are always connected, thieves have constant access...

Firewalls: An Absolute Must... But What Is A Firewall?
A "firewall" is a dam, a wall, a blockaid designed to keep outsiders from getting into your computer files. There are two primary types of firewalls for your computer--hardware firewalls and software firewalls. A hardware firewall is a physical device much like your DSL or cable modem that is hooked between your modem and your computer. It serves as a blockaid from unwanted visitors from getting to your computer (Click Here For SmartZone Hardware Preferences). They are much more expensive than it's software counterpart, but is less evasive and won't slow your computer down to a crawl as will some software firewalls. Software firewalls are actual computer programs just like Windows or Microsoft Word that are specifically designed to keep identity theft criminals, hackers, viruses and worms out.

Most newer computers have built in software that provides a certain level of firewall protection--security from others getting to your data or programs and downloading sensitive financial information. Windows XP has a more sophisticated security firewall than most of the operating systems, but there are numerous ways to protect the security of your computer even better. The absolute best way to provide the utmost in security is to use both hardware and software firewalls together. Most businesses will use this type of combination for added security. But usually a trusted software firewall is sufficient for individuals for home use.

A very well respected internet firewall program is offered through ZoneLabs called ZoneAlarm Security Suite. ZoneAlarm products are well respected and trusted within the internet community as well, and it is a little less expensive. There are plenty of others to choose from on the internet and in computer stores, but these are merely two that have gained a trusted reputation. The main point is you have to be securely protected if your computer is connected to the internet. High tech identity theft criminals are increasing at a rapid pace.

Spyware, Adware, Trojans and Worms
If criminals used their genius for the betterment of society, we would make social advances daily. But instead they choose to design and implement destructive and evasive programs that are not only annoying when they infiltrate our computers, but programs that can damage components and steal our private personal information. Spyware , trojans, malware and worms can get into our computers even through properly installed firewalls. They can get in through emails and through advertisements that we have clicked to read. And criminals are constantly designing newer and more sinister programs that will steal our personal information so they can sell it to the highest bidder. Educate yourself further about dangerous computer programs by visiting Spyware-Refuge and begin your research on your best possible protection plan.

Are Websites Safe?
Most websites are on the internet to obtain loyal customers. So they are safe! However, just as in the world of business with physical stuctures, there are some that are less than honest. And there are some that INTENTIONALLY hope to deceive. The only way you can defend against either of these types of businesses is research and word of mouth. If you want to find out about a business on the web, do a web search. Go to Google, or Yahoo, or Overture, and type in the name of the business in their search bar. For large, respected companies, you should get a plethora of reviews and comments. For smaller businesses, whether they're respected or not, you might not get any search results at all. That only means they are not optimized for the search engines--it doesn't necessarily mean they aren't respectable. Keep refining the searches until you find some information on them.

If you can't find anything at all, then go to Register.Com to find out who the web site is registered to. Or go to The Better Business Bureau Online to see if there are any negative comments about the company. Just do research like you would do for any business with whom you are about to initiate a business transaction. However, unlike your local grocery, if you buy something on the internet make sure that when you give your credit card information, that page is secured. There are two ways to know if you are on a secured site. In the address bar at the top of your browser, the URL of the site should display https://etc.etc.etc. as opposed to http://etc.etc.etc. The "s" following http signifies that it is a secured page. Also, at the bottom of your browser window, there should be an icon showing a padlock. Either of these will assure you that you are giving confidential financial information to a secured page.

Don't Go Phishing
If an email comes to you saying a company you deal with would like to update their files, make sure it is THAT company and make sure it is secured. It is probably best not to respond and to contact that company directly by phone to see that they did, indeed, send that email. Usually, a company will wait for you to log into your account via their secured web page before they ask for such information.

While "phishing" originally was used for internet mischief, it has now transformed into a highly sophisticated plan to attack companies and individuals for criminal economic gain.

New forms of spyware and Trojans are now much tougher to resolve because they are not protected by typical virus signatures. That's why secure authentication is so important for companies and financial institutions; it makes phishing a lot harder to carry out.

But what about consumers and less sophisticated web users?
Firewalls, as mentioned above, is the consumers best resource for protecting privacy. And, using both hardware and software firewalls will facilitate the greatest protection. But in order to guarantee the most effective identity theft protection for your computer you also could use an encryption program that will protect all of your personal identification information from internet thieves. An excellent free encryption program one can download over the internet comes from Cypherix. Cypherix's Cyptainer LE encryption program will protect any Windows PC from identity theft criminals by storing all personal information and passwords in a special 128 bit encryption file. You can download Cryptainer LE for Free. If you want the greatest protection possible, use all three security devices-hardware firewall, software firewall and the encyption software. But even then, keep a close eye on your credit reports and monitor your personal information regularly-identity theft criminals continue to becoming increasingly devious!

Thinking Of A New Computer? What About The Old One?
With technology changing at such a rapid pace, your old computer was probably obsolete by the time you got it home. So many of us have old computers we no longer want or need. What can be done with them? Well you might want to donate it to a school, a childrens home, or a church. Or you might want to sell it on eBay and enjoy the excitement of an online auction. But regardless of where it goes, you must understand that much of your personal, financial information will be going with it - information that identity theft criminals love to retrieve.

Even if you format your hardrive, a resourceful computer technician can still find alot of information that can be used to acquire your identity. Checking account numbers, credit card accounts, addresses, telelphone numbers...the list goes on and on. Formatting the hard drive will erase some data, but technicians know how to retrieve data that seems non-existent. Data deleted by formatting, in actuality, is still retrievable until more data is used to overwrite those files.

If you find yourself upgrading your computers fairly often, you might consider purchasing a great program from DataTex Corp called WipeDrive used all over the world by individuals, large corporations and financial institutions; and is an "Approved Disk Sanatizing Tool" for the U.S. Department of Defense. You can find out more about "WipeDrive" by clicking here.

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