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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/
MORE RESOURCES: I-Team: State Police end security post outside former Gov. Charlie Baker's Swampscott home CBS Boston Turkey slams West for security warnings 'harming' tourism The Associated Press - en Español Turkey summons ambassadors of nine countries over security alerts The Jerusalem Post Should iPhone users use security keys and Advanced Data Protection? The Washington Post US pushing Abbas on plan to boost PA security presence in northern West Bank The Times of Israel CBP proposes efforts to strengthen aviation security | U.S Customs and Border Protection Security Principles: Addressing underlying causes of risk in complex ... Federal Trade Commission News Redbot Security Promotes Keith Cox to Principal Security Engineer Kansas City Star US. Department of Homeland Security and Finnish Ministry of the ... Homeland Security Is There Liability from In-Home Security Monitoring? Security Sales & Integration FTC approves order requiring Chegg to tighten data security Higher Ed Dive Air Force sees national security threat in Chinese-owned corn mill Successful Farming AI, Processor Advances Will Improve Application Security Security Boulevard Dallas Zoo making 'significant changes' to security FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth Enforcement of Fisheries Rules Will Enhance Maritime Governance ... The Pew Charitable Trusts LAX power outage halts security screening, delays flights and traps ... Los Angeles Times The WordPress Security Guide To Keep Your Site Safe Search Engine Journal Holland & Knight Data Privacy and Security Report: January 2023 ... Holland & Knight TikTok's Transparency Campaign Echoes Effort by Huawei to Ease ... The Wall Street Journal ImagineIF Libraries Adds Security Presence to Kalispell Branch Flathead Beacon Security increased at State Farm Stadium ahead of Super Bowl LVII WDAF FOX4 Kansas City Keep Your Home Safe and Secure Consumer Reports Explainer-Why U.S. Seeks Closer Security Cooperation With the ... U.S. News & World Report Don’t Let API Leaks Sink Your Ship | API Security Newsletter Security Boulevard WTO Reform Should Include Clarification of National Security ... Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, PA Gigamon Appoints Chaim Mazal Chief Security Officer Business Wire Is It Time to Start Worrying About Quantum Computing Security? InformationWeek Need an Insurance Policy Against Ransomware Attacks? Get Silverfort’s Free Identity Security Assessment Security Boulevard New DEG website boasts enhanced security measures, advanced ... Repairer Driven News The best smart home security systems of 2023 Popular Science The Week in Security: Russia takes aim at Ukraine with Sandworm, the truth about Russia’s top search ... Security Boulevard How to effectively communicate cybersecurity best practices to staff Security Magazine How Bad Are System Failures and Security Incidents? The New Stack Suspects sought after security guard interrupts smash-and-grab robbery at Dior pop-up on Melrose KABC-TV ‘Disturbing’ force used at Fresno homeless shelters by private security. Here’s what happened Fresno Bee The forgotten Black woman who invented the video home security ... The Washington Post Lazarus Group Attack Identified After Operational Security Fail Infosecurity Magazine Fire fatalities in decline according to Indiana Dept. of Homeland Security data - MyWabashValley.com How Will ChatGPT Impact Web2, Web3 and Online Security? Spiceworks News and Insights Monmouth basketball coach King Rice says job security not a ... Asbury Park Press Vanta Names Security Leader David Eckstein as CFO Business Wire CCS security team looking for solutions after 8th gun found in school since September ABC6OnYourSide.com Expected Security Measures for Businesses in 2023 The National Law Review Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for ... Department of Defense DHS Announces Process Enhancements for Supporting Labor ... Homeland Security DHS Continues to Prepare for End of Title 42; Announces New ... Homeland Security More Than $3 Billion in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine Department of Defense |
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