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Prevent Internet Identity TheftFor the fifth year in a row, identity theft topped the list of fraud-related complaints the Federal Trade Commission received from consumers in 2004. And, across all types of fraud, 57% of consumers reported initial contact from the fraudulent company was initiated by email or through a Web site. So, how to prevent identity theft through your internet use? Install a firewall on your personal computer. This is especially important if you have an "always on" connection to the internet. A firewall is software or hardware designed to block the hackers from accessing your computer, and taking and using important sensitive personal information When shopping on the internet, make sure the browser ensures that the data is protected using the latest encryption technology. You can make sure you are on an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) by checking the URL -- the http at the beginning of the address should have changed to https. Also, you should notice a small lock icon in the status bar at the bottom of your browser window Consider using only one credit card for internet purchases - its easier to track for fraud, and limits your liability Get used to reading the company's privacy policy to ensure that your personal information won't be sold to others. Services like Verisign review a company's privacy policy (for a fee) and then allow the company to post the Trust-E logo if its privacy policy follows certain industry standards for consumer protection Protect yourself from "phishing scams" - which are fraudulent e-mail messages which trick you into revealing personal information. They often purport to be from an internet account, PayPal or even
your bank, directing you to a fraudulent Web site where you are then asked to 'update' your account info. They often request information such as your mother's maiden name and your social security number. The attacker then uses this information for identity theft. Always independently verify who is contacting you before giving out any info
As if regular fraud isn't enough to contend with on the internet, you now have to be careful when surfing the web at your local Starbucks (internet cafe, public internet access spot).... So called wi-fi or wireless internet access points send web pages via radio waves. "Hot-spots" are an area within range of a wi-fi antenna. Anyone armed with a wireless laptop and software widely available on the Internet can broadcast a radio signal that overpowers the hot spot- and therefore can capture any sensitive information that you send from there. So, its best to use your local internet cafe for only surfing the web - and not for ordering a late birthday present for your partner!
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