How Identity Theft Occurs Online -- And How To Protect Against It
The most common method of identity theft used to be stealing someone's mail
. By going through a dumpster or garbage bin, opened or unopened mail could be taken and personal information obtained from a bank statement, credit card offer, or utility bill. This act leads to people shredding their mail in order to keep the information safe. Some thieves would actually burglar a home not for cash or jewelry, but for sensitive documents like birth certificates and social security cards. These documents could allow someone to take out a large loan in another person's name, which could easily be more valuable than stealing a TV or a stereo. Accordingly, homeowners began locking and hiding these valuables just as they would a jewelry box.Today, the threat of identity theft has extended to the piece of equipment that is quickly being seen in practically every home, the personal computer and the internet. As internet usage and computer ownership have begun to reach nearly as many homes as cable TV, this has opened a new avenue of attack for criminals looking to steal sensitive information in order to make a profit.
The common method for perpetrating this attack is through spyware programs. These computer programs monitor information sent over the internet and will send it back to the criminal. If you do any online shopping, bill paying, or banking, all of those account numbers can be secretly sent to a scammer. The attacks can also target the computer itself and steal information saved on the computer's hard drive.
There are many ways to stop these threats as well. Starting with anti spyware software, we will investigate some of the best methods.
Anti Spyware Software
The best overall protection against online identity theft is definitely an up to date anti spyware program. These protections will stop malicious programs in real time and can also scan and disinfect a computer that already has a bug installed. The best anti spyware software is one system that utilizes two scanners to uncover any possible threat. This double layer of protection creates a comprehensive barrier against spyware that can steal personal information and damage a computer.
Avoiding Viruses And Spyware
The first line of defense for online activity is a good awareness of possible threats. Once the fact that criminals will use computer to commit crimes is understood, it can be stopped. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The same goes for protecting against spyware.
Downloading programs from the internet can be one of the riskiest things a person can do. When downloading programs from Microsoft, it is easy to know that the program is not a virus or worse. However, this is not always so clear. Never download a program from an unfamiliar webpage or from a link from someone that you don't know and trust. Be careful of look-a-like websites that try to imitate legitimate sites and get you to download spyware. Always check a website's privacy policy first. If you can't find it, don't download anything!
Many threats can also come into your email inbox. Only open mail from trusted sources, such as friends, family members, and coworkers. Never click on unknown links or download unfamiliar attachments. Again, some criminals use "phishing" attacks. This scam involved sending an official-looking email asking that you submit account information. No bank or company will ever ask you to resubmit information that they already have on file, including passwords or account information. Any email asking for sensitive information is a fake. If the email still seems official, contact the company in question over the phone and leave the email alone until you can verify its contents with a customer service representative.
With a solid defense of anti spyware software and good internet habits, identity theft can be stopped dead in its tracks.
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