Beware of identity thieves

[Harbhajan]

http://technology.sympatico.msn.ca/Tech_Li...ct=&abc=abc

Beware of identity thieves

29/03/2006 3:19:00 PM

Could it happen to you?

Identity theft is the unauthorised collection and use of a person's, or even a business's, information. Identity thieves steal key pieces of personal information and use them to impersonate a person to commit crimes in his name.

What do identity thieves look for?

In addition to names, addresses and telephone numbers, identity thieves also look for:

- date of birth

- social insurance numbers (SIN)

- driver license numbers

- credit card and bank card numbers

- bank account numbers

With a name, address, date of birth, SIN, and mother´s maiden name this information, identity thieves can easily invade our personal and financial lives; they can open bank accounts, apply for credit cards or loans, redirect mail, rent vehicles and much more.

How do they collect personal information on the web?

Many websites collect personal information; while some do it upfront, others are less obvious about it.

Certain websites request users to register prior to granting them access. Registration can be as simple as providing a username, password and email address; or they can require more detailed personal information such as your address or date of birth, questions about personal interests and hobbies, household income and even a password reminder question along the lines of "What is your mother´s maiden name?".

Some websites use cookies to collect information. The cookies are commonly used to identify users when they return to a site; this way the site can be tailored to the user based on his history or preferences and the user doesn't need to re-enter certain details each time he visits the site.

Cookies can also be used by a website to create a profile of a user based on his activity and browsing patterns that can then be used for advertising purposes. Once all the data is collected, it can be shared with advertisers or media networks or worse and can be abused if it gets in the wrong hands.

Some websites will attach spyware to its freeware. The spyware can monitor and report your activities, and even what you type, and can also install more spyware.

Email is a great and quick way to communicate; however, it is not a secure form of communication. An email is just about as private as a postcard. It can easily be shared, printed, forwarded, posted in a forum or newsgroup or even intercepted; exposing all of it's content for the world to see.

By opening SPAM mail or clicking on any links (possibly "unsubscribe" links too) found within unsolicited emails you may be confirming to the spammer that your email is valid and opening yourself to more SPAM.

How to lower your risks when using the Internet?

- Avoid clicking on an unknown link or website or unfamiliar e-mail. The link may take you to a fraudulent site.

- Familiarise yourself with a website's privacy policy before entering any information or subscribing to any services or electronic newsletters.

- Be wary of computer start-up software that asks for registration information.

- Password protect your PC.

- Never share your passwords and don't use the same password for everything.

- Don't use e-mail to send personal information.

- Consider using webmail or "disposable" e-mail addresses for online registrations or purchases, in order to help keep your personal email address private and spam free.

- Beware of Internet promotions that ask for personal information.

- After completing any sort of financial transaction online, properly sign out of the website and clear your internet file/cache. Check your browser´s help menu to find instructions.

- Don't give a credit card number or other information to a company that doesn't provide their name, business address, telephone number and e-mail address or to a company you aren´t already familiar with.

- Before giving your credit card number or other financial information to a business, make sure that their website is protected and secured. Look for a yellow padlock located on your browser's window and make sure the URL begins with "https://".

- Keep your identity confidential in chat rooms, forums, instant messaging, and newsgroups. Choose usernames/aliases that do not identify you, and keep in mind that any information you exchange is not private.

= Look into encryption, firewalls and virus protection for your computer.

Enforce the above practices within your family

Internet use and web transactions are on the rise. More people are transmitting valuable personal information across cyberspace on a regular basis causing an increase of identify theft, fraud and privacy concerns. Use the convenience of the Internet, just use it wisely at all times. Think before you click.

© 2006 Bell Canada, Microsoft Corporation and/or their contributors. All rights reserved.