Keep Your Identity: Rule No. 1 is Don't Go Online 'Naked'
Posted on: Wednesday, 7 May 2008, 09:00 CDT
FINE PRINT
If you're one of those people who believes humans are inherently good, you may want to at least pretend they're not for your identity's sake.
That's the word from BankRate.com, which just published a list of seven "surefire ways to become an ID theft victim." Topping the list of the fastest ways to get your identity stolen is going online "naked - without activating the firewall or purchasing protective software."
Let's face it, forking over extra money after you've spent hundreds of dollars on a new computer, not to mention keeping up with those time-wasting update downloads, can be kind of a hassle. But do some online banking with your guard down and you could face one of an ever growing number of scams to steal your identity.
Jack Ramsey, chief technology officer of information security company SecureWorks, said your primary identification information - name, e-mail address, passwords, social security number, credit card numbers and limits - can be worth $100 to $200 on the street.
The underground demand for personal information has led to the creation of spyware and viruses designed to, for example, create a log of all Internet passwords or other personal information you type in e-mails.
But the Internet is only one tool used by identity thieves, and BankRate.com's list also suggests you should be wary before throwing financial materials in the garbage or even mailing checks from an unlocked mailbox.
The BankRate.com story also recommends keeping a sparsely-filled wallet to make sure pickpockets don't make off with your identity.
Do you have a consumer issue you want us to address? E-mail us at biznews@ledger.com or write the Business Department, The Patriot Ledger, 400 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, MA, 02269-9159.
(c) 2008 Patriot Ledger, The; Quincy, Mass.. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
Source: Patriot Ledger, The; Quincy, Mass.
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds