Category: Security
A Behind-The-Scenes Look Into Identity Theft

A Behind-The-Scenes Look Into Identity Theft

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Summary: Identity theft has become a real concern in today’s tech-friendly society.

Rather than holding up a bank, criminals have learned that it is easier, less risky, and more rewarding to steal money through identity theft. As an avid Internet user, it’s important that you understand the dangers of having your personal information available for all to see.

First off, what exactly is identity theft. Well to be frank, it’s the stealing of personal information that allows another individual to take on your identity. The more personal information the thief steals from you, the more susceptible you become to theft.

Email Phishing

Criminals like to utilize the email platform to begin their heist. With your email address in hand, a criminal will be able to send you a phishing email to try and lure you to a site where you enter personal information like your name, bank account, and credit card details. As you should already know, be wary of these sites. Or, you could simply ignore the email.

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Malware

Additionally, criminals can do further damage by visiting their social media profile. If the thief has infiltrated your PC with malware, he can have access to personal information like login usernames, passwords, credit cards, and other stored data that you have on your PC – and it’s highly unlikely your computer is secure as a mission critical video wall would be. As stated before, the more information that is available to the thief, the more successful he’ll be when impersonating you online.

Cyber Criminals Work Together

To gather as much information as possible from you, cyber thieves often trade personal information with each other to complete a picture of the victim. The more complete the picture is, the more valuable the target becomes. And, once all the pieces of personal information are put together, he can do essentially anything he wants.
How to Weed Out the Legitimate Online Shops from the Fakes

How to Weed Out the Legitimate Online Shops from the Fakes

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Summary: Legitimacy should be the first thing you should always keep an eye out for when you’re shopping online.

With the dramatic rise in online shopping in today’s technology-friendly world, there are a multitude of options to choose from when searching for the latest and greatest in clothes, computers, and games. However, certain websites are out there to scam people by enticing them to purchase something they’ll never receive in the long run.

If Something Seems “Off” Leave Right Away

Most people know that companies will invest a significant amount of money and time in creating an online shop that has beautiful graphics, detailed slideshows, and even a little background information on how it began. If you notice an online shop that looks ridiculously outdated, don’t count them out just yet. Browse around and see what they’re offering and their prices. One of the biggest indicators is if you see a price that’s extremely low for what the current market value is at.

Consumers love to find deals and if they find something they can get for 50% off, you know they’ll pounce on it right away. However, when dealing with online shops that function overseas and do not even have access to some of these products, you’ll only end up getting your identity stolen and never even receive the promised goods.

See What People Are Saying

Sure, it might be wise to avoid shopping on a site that looks completely fake, but it’s also important that you check out their background as well. If customers have dealt with the company before and got exactly what they were promised, they might’ve just not prioritized the graphic design aspect of their website. However, don’t let this be an excuse to let your guard down. If you notice reviews that showcase how much of a scam it is, don’t even think about going back onto that site ever again. There could potentially be malware and viruses lurking about just waiting for you to enter certain pages so they can infect your computer.
How to Effectively Stay Safe from Identity Theft

How to Effectively Stay Safe from Identity Theft

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Summary: Identity theft is a serious issue that continues to plague the United States. Be sure to always remain vigilant.

While you might not think it’ll ever happen to you, the truth of the matter is, identity theft can happen to anyone. It’s a serious issue in today’s society and continues to occur on a daily basis. It’s been said over 8 million Americans have their identity stolen each year. No, not in total, but every single year. Could you be next?

Here are some tips that will greatly decrease the chances of becoming an identity theft victim.

Taking Preventative Measures

No, it’s likely you don’t have access to some technologically advance NOC design or a command center that’s watching your back 24/7. You basically do not have too many options when it comes to protecting your identity. Criminals in this day and age are getting smarter and more proficient when it comes to theft. You’ll need to take preventative measures to ensure that you stay one step ahead of these dangerous individuals.

Don’t Be Careless With Your Social Security Information

For one, you’ll always want to protect your social security number. Don’t carelessly walk around with your social security card in your wallet or purse – you’re basically asking to be robbed. If your social security number is listed on your driver’s license, health insurance card, or any other document that you carry around, request to have it reissued.

Be sure to always look over your bills and credit card statements and see if everything lines up with your purchases. If something looks odd or you’re finding charges that aren’t yours, contact your provider immediately. It also helps not to be careless with your credit or debit card either, but things happen. The professionals believe that keeping a close eye on every financial aspect on a regular basis is an efficient way to monitor identity theft.