Stop ID-Theft Portal

Heat From Your Fingertips helps hackers

2011-09-03T09:19:00.000-07:00

The secret codes typed in by banking customers can be recorded using the residual heat left behind on the keypad, says a group of researchers from the University of California at San Diego.

Hckers Use Infrared

Researchers say they've hacked car door locks

2011-08-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

A group of computer security researchers in Israel and Belgium say they've discovered the electronic equivalent of a Slim Jim -- a way to pop the electronic door locks on most cars without ever touching them.

Drivers don't have to worry about their cars being hacked just yet – a baseball bat is still a more effective auto theft tool – but the announcement shows yet again that newfangled security devices can be more vulnerable than you think.

Most modern cars are now equipped with convenient remote keyless entry systems. Now it seems that tool could be a convenient way for criminals to break into hundreds of cars in an afternoon.

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By listening in on the wireless "conversation" between a car and its key, the researchers found they could crack the code that keeps the communication secret. Then they were able to emulate the electronic key and trick the car into unlocking itself.

Nearly all cars with remote keyless entry use an encryption system called KeeLoq. It was developed during the 1980s and purchased by Microchip Technology Inc. in the 1990s. Like all encryption systems, KeeLoq scrambles messages so they can't be read by anyone who intercepts them. Only someone -- or something -- with the appropriate deciphering key can unscramble the message.

Eli Biham, a computer science professor at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, says there are 18 billion possible keys for a KeeLoq transmission, making it practically impossible for even the fastest computer to work out the key through brute force.

"But," he said, "we found a shortcut."

By intercepting several transmissions from the electronic key and analyzing them, Biham and his colleagues say they were able to eliminate many of those 18 billion possibilities and work out a master key in about one day. All that's required is remote access to one key for about an hour -- say, while a person is sitting in his office with the key still in a shirt pocket.

Then, after working out the encryption scheme, Biham's group says it can unlock all cars using that master key within a few minutes.

"In modern ciphers, you don't expect this to happen," Biham says, noting that carmakers are still relying on 20-year-old cryptography to keep cars safe. "I don't understand how companies sell cryptography from the 1980s."

'Badly broken'
The research paper, called "How to Steal Cars, (PDF)" was presented at the Crypto 2007 conference at the University of California, Santa Barbara, last week. Exact details for exploiting the discovery won't be published for several months, Biham says, but Microchip Technology was informed weeks ago.

"KeeLoq is badly broken," the paper says, adding, tongue-in-cheek, "Soon, cryptographers will all drive expensive cars."

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Microchip wouldn't comment on the team's discovery.

"Microchip Technology Inc. doesn't address matters of security in the public domain," was all that spokesman Eric Lawson would say.

But other cryptography experts said the research was significant.

"This is a very practical application of cryptanalysis," said Jon Callas, chief technology officer with the encryption firm PGP Corp., who attended the presentation. "There is a larger lesson here, which is some of these devices aren't as secure as they are being sold to us."

Slim Jim a bigger threat
Still Callas isn't worried about his car locks being hacked just yet. There are several barriers to using the technology. While a key hacker would be able to pop the lock on the door and perhaps disarm and alarm, he or she probably couldn't get the car started without using old-fashioned car theft tools, he said. And even with the most sophisticated computers, hacking the locks still takes over an hour, while a baseball bat can do just as good a job in a second or two.

"There is not a whole lot of threat to the end consumer," he said. "A guy with a Slim Jim is a bigger threat."

The method could prove lucrative under the right circumstances, however. A thief armed with a master key could park a car with listening devices in the middle of a shopping mall lot and eavesdrop on every car as a driver parks, walks away, and pushes their key to lock the doors. Within seconds, the transmission could be intercepted, analyzed, paired with information about a known master key and used to pop the locks. A criminal could theoretically open hundreds of cars each day that way, stealing a treasure trove of iPods and GPS gadgets without leaving a trace

"That would be worth someone's time," Callas said. Victims "would have a hard time convincing (their) insurance companies that this had happened."

A simple fix
Modest adjustments to encryption tools would foil such a plot, Callas said. Biham's method requires tricking the car's system into answers a long series of questions. But the use of "throttling" -- inserting a delay after every three requests, as some Web sites now do – can slow or eliminate such brute force attacks. So Callas has no plans to disable his electronic locks, which could be done by disconnecting the car's battery while parked.

"I'm more concerned about losing my radio presets than having my car stolen like this," he joked.

Intense research into Keeloq by several groups began last year after proprietary information about KeeLoq's cryptography was leaked onto a Russian Web site. Biham said the information aided his group's research, but argued that properly implemented cryptography should withstand publication of such details.

Both he and Callas were critical of Microchip for not publishing its cryptographic scheme in public earlier, which would have allowed researches to probe it for holes.

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"Those of us who are in the field believe that algorithms should be published from the start because an analysis can strengthen them," Callas said. "We only use public algorithms because in long term they are more secure."

While the immediate threat to car owners is low, Biham says the research shows the technology used to protect remote keyless entry systems is outdated.

"There are other tools criminals can use today (to steal cars) that are easier," Biham says. "But we show that it's possible to (hack the locks) and these systems to be replaced."

16 Suspected 'Anonymous' Hackers Arrested in Nationwide Sweep

2011-07-26T07:45:00.001-07:00

Sixteen suspected members of "Anonymous" were arrested this morning in states across the country, from California to New York, in a federal raid on the notorious hacking group.

The arrests Tuesday, first reported by FoxNews.com, are part of an ongoing investigation into Anonymous, which has claimed responsibility for numerous cyberattacks against a variety of websites, including Visa and Mastercard.

July 19, 2011: FBI agents execute a search warrant at the Long Island, NY, home of a suspected member of notorious hacking group Anonymous.
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Hackers Hit Washington Post, Affecting 1.27 Million Users
The Department of Justice, in announcing the arrests and more than 35 search warrants in the case, said the case stemmed from an alleged cyberattack on the website PayPal over its action against controversial group WikiLeaks, one of the inspirations for the hacker group Anonymous.

Fourteen of the arrests were identified in the same indictment out of California, while two separate criminal complaints filed out of courts in Newark, N.J., and Tampa, Fla., name the two other alleged hackers. All are believed to have been involved in carrying out nationwide coordinated distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks on multiple high-profile, billion-dollar companies.

"In retribution for PayPal’s termination of WikiLeaks’ donation account, a group calling itself Anonymous coordinated and executed distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks against PayPal’s computer servers using an open source computer program the group makes available for free download on the Internet," the Justice Department said in a news release.

The department identified the suspects in the California indictment as Christopher Wayne Cooper, 23, aka “Anthrophobic;” Joshua John Covelli, 26, aka “Absolem” and “Toxic;” Keith Wilson Downey, 26; Mercedes Renee Haefer, 20, aka “No” and “MMMM;” Donald Husband, 29, aka “Ananon;” Vincent Charles Kershaw, 27, aka “Trivette,” “Triv” and “Reaper;” Ethan Miles, 33; James C. Murphy, 36; Drew Alan Phillips, 26, aka “Drew010;” Jeffrey Puglisi, 28, aka “Jeffer,” “Jefferp” and “Ji;” Daniel Sullivan, 22; Tracy Ann Valenzuela, 42; and Christopher Quang Vo, 22. One individual’s name has been withheld by the court.

They are charged with various counts of conspiracy and intentional damage to a protected computer, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Each count of conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Also Tuesday, Scott Matthew Arciszewski, 21, was arrested in Florida on charges of intentional damage to a protected computer for allegedly accessing without authorization the Tampa Bay InfraGard website and uploaded three files.

And Lance Moore, 21, of Las Cruces, N.M., was arrested on the New Jersey indictment, which accuses him of stealing confidential business information stored on AT&T’s servers and posting it on a file-sharing site. He is charged with one count of accessing a protected computer without authorization.

U.S. law enforcement officials also told FoxNews.com that the arrest of a 16-year-old hacker in London, who goes by the online user name Tflow, was related to the raids in the U.S.

Some of the arrests were out of the San Francisco field office, sources said. Earlier in the day, the FBI executed search warrants at the New York homes -- two in Long Island, N.Y., and one in Brooklyn, N.Y. -- of three suspected members of Anonymous, FoxNews.com reported.

More than 10 FBI agents arrived at the Baldwin, N.Y., home of Giordani Jordan with a search warrant for computers and computer-related accessories, removing at least one laptop from the premises.

The Anonymous group is a loose collection of cybersavvy activists inspired by WikiLeaks and its flamboyant head Julian Assange to fight for "Internet freedom" -- along the way defacing websites, shutting down servers, and scrawling messages across screens web-wide.

The Anonymous vigilante group recently turned its efforts to the Arizona police department, posting personal information of law officers and hacking and defacing websites in response, the group claims, to the state's controversial SB1070 immigration law.

While Anonymous is largely a politically motivated organization, splinter group LulzSec -- which dominated headlines in the spring for a similar streak of cyberattacks -- was largely in it for the thrills.

The metropolitan police in London arrested the first alleged member of the LulzSec group on June 20, a 19-year-old teen named Ryan Cleary. Subsequent sweeps through Italy and Switzerland in early July led to the arrests of 15 more people -- all between the ages of 15 and 28 years old.

The two groups are responsible for a broad spate of digital break-ins targeting governments and large corporations, including Japanese technology giant Sony, the U.S. Senate, telecommunications giant AT&T, Fox.com, and other government and private entities

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/07/19/exclusive-fbi-search-warrants-nationwide-hunt-anonymous/#ixzz1TDsHoPxm

Sony Was Hacked

2011-04-28T07:11:00.000-07:00

Hi Again,
Just in case you haven't heard Sony's online gaming network was hacked and been shutdown for a week now . Finally all the deatails are beginning to come out

Hackers broke into the Sony Playstation Network on April 19 and personal information – such as names, addresses and even credit card numbers — from 77 million PlayStation subscribers worldwide may be compromised.

Sony Was Hacked

Here's a great free resource

2011-02-22T07:35:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone ,
Here's another great place that will help you out greatly .Learn from how stuff works

Identity Theft

It's Tax Time Again

2011-01-27T07:39:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,
I hope all of you are keeping safe out there. When money is being exchanged the crooks are extra busy and at tax time with so much money and information floating around it pays to be safe. Here's an interesting twist i just heard about.

Extortion Virus Fools Victims Into Thinking They Must Buy Anti-Virus Software

The Spy In Your Hand

2011-01-07T07:48:00.000-08:00

Well I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday but as usual the scammers never rest and there's a lurking problem that's come to my attention. With the advent of everyone using smartphones and downloading apps there is a dangerous backdoor many are not aware of

Smartphone Spyware

What's Old Is New Again

2010-07-02T07:22:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,
By now you've all heard about the gang of Soviet spies we had here in the states. One of the suspect went old school dumpster diving and graveyard hunting to create a new identity. It was discovered by the deceased's brother.

Soviet Spies

Health Care Law Scams

2010-06-10T06:56:00.000-07:00

State insurance commissioners and attorney generals are warning consumers about a new wave of scams that are exploiting uncertanties about the new health care laws. Scam artits may call, email or show up at your door saying that under the new law you must have health insurance or got to jail.

This is not true. Never signup for an insurance policy without calling you state insurance department to findout if the policy is legitimate and the seller is liscensed. Never give out your credit card number or social security number to anyone you don't know.

The Dangers of Using a Debit Card

2010-06-01T07:42:00.000-07:00

Well summer is here and there will be lots of travel and the thieves wil be hard at work for your vaction dollars so please be aware.

Consumers need to be particularly careful during vacation season because identity thieves come out in droves. That makes it pivotal that consumers keep their debit cards on ice, said Beth Givens, director of the Privacy Rights Clearing House and one of the nation's foremost experts on keeping your private information private

Cebit Card Dangers

Special Alert

2010-04-22T07:25:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,
It's the time of year where everyone is starting to get outside and travel a lot more which canleave you open to this scam which has been reportedly spreading quickly .

ATM Users Warned About Credit Card Skimmers
April 22, 2010 02:04 PM
(Washington Post) — Cases of a hard-to-detect form of credit card fraud are showing up more frequently in the Washington region, police say, including a recent case in Rockville, where a skimming device that reads encrypted credit card data was found in a Wachovia bank branch ATM. A credit card skimmer is a device that uses a card scanner and camera to capture credit card information. The skimmer is placed over the card slot reader and reads the magnetic swipe, while a hidden miniature camera in the device works in tandem to record the personal identification number

More on Credit Card Scimmers

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

2010-03-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

Hello,
For all of you who like to learn by other than reading I've put together a couple of million words together all about identity theft and online scams. They are in the form of Identity Theft Videos

Please Don't Lose Your Mind

2010-03-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

Hi Again,
In today's world of everyone trying to get in on the social craze some of us go overboard and overshare . This can leave us open to a wide variety of crime including credit card fraud and identity theft among others. To see what I mean check out

Please Rob Me

Microsoft Scores One For The Little Guy

2010-03-03T07:54:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

In the never ending battle against hackers it seems Microsoft is taking an aggresive approach to hinder the attacks leading to credit card fraud and identity theft this includes spam an malware

Stop Identity Theft

Latest Podcast

2010-02-18T07:10:00.001-08:00

A Never Ending Battle

2010-02-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

Identity theft and credit card fraud is constantly growing but hackers are being caught. here's a who's who of been causing all the chaos.

Convicted: Nine Notorious Hackers of Our Time

Experts Gather For Hackers' Convention

2010-02-16T07:56:00.000-08:00

Every year in Arlington, Va., thousands of computer security experts, hackers and FBI agents attend BlackHat in hopes of learning how to stop the next big cyber threat. Events include hacking competitions and training, as well as lectures on computer security

Hackers Convention

Fighting Cybercrime

2010-01-28T06:24:00.000-08:00

Welcome back,
It's now 2010 and things are really cranking up due to the recession and the rapid advancements in technology. I came across this story which will give you a great overall picture of things the way they are.

Fighting Cybercrime-One digital thug at a time

Largest credit card theft in US history: man pleads guilty

2009-12-30T08:06:00.000-08:00

Accused of stealing over 130 million credit cards ... Albert Gonzalez.
A computer hacker who helped orchestrate the theft of tens of millions of credit and debit card numbers from major retailers in one of the largest such thefts in US history pleaded guilty Tuesday in the last of three cases brought by federal prosecutors.

Read More Now!!

It's Holiday Time Again

2009-11-19T07:51:00.001-08:00

Well the year is almost coming to a close and the holiday season is upon us. During this time it pays to be extra vigilant while using your personal info. CBS News has had and excellent expose on Identity Theft in it's many forms if you missed it there links are a must see.

Your Id being sold online
Stolen Pictures
Medical Id Theft

Woman Wanted for Major Mail Theft Ring in Upstate

2009-09-02T08:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Again,
Even we mostly hear about the big credit card heists there are still local operators that do a lot of damage.

Upstate Mail Teft Ring

The Anonymous Net

2009-08-24T06:43:00.000-07:00

Article for 'Wired' Magazine- ''the Anonymous Net' PDF

How To Avoid Identity Theft Audio

2009-08-24T06:36:00.000-07:00

How To Stop Identity Theft

Feds charge man in largest U.S. case of identity theft

2009-08-18T08:05:00.000-07:00

U.S Secret Service | Albert Gonzalez is a computer hacker who was involved in a major credit card fraud scheme, according to the U.S. Secret Service.

Feds charge man in largest U.S. case of identity theft

Man Spends 35 Years Trying To Clear His name

2009-08-04T07:54:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,
I've been saying for years that becoming a victim of identity theft is like falling into a black hole. Many think it's just all hype but here is a real life example.

Read 35 yr.Identity Theft Story here

Promises, promises-Work at home scams

2009-04-09T07:31:00.000-07:00

How to avoid getting scammed
Tips on counterfeit checks, fraudulent e-mail addresses, and more

Always be suspicious if you receive a check, money order or bank transfer along with a request to return (or forward) part of the funds to someone else. Experts say there’s no legitimate reason why anyone would give you a check and ask you to wire money in return.
Scammers often create sophisticated counterfeit checks resembling those from financial institutions and large companies. These phony checks and money orders are so realistic-looking that even bank tellers are fooled. Just because you can withdraw the money doesn’t mean the check or money order is good. It can take weeks, even months, for counterfeits to be discovered. But you can still be held responsible.
Before you make a deposit in your account, check it out. Western Union, MoneyGram, and the U.S. Postal Service all have toll-free numbers you can call to help verify whether a money order you receive is authentic. If you receive a check, call the company named on the check directly and ask to verify it.
When contacting companies to verify a check, don’t trust the phone numbers or addresses listed in the job offer. Scammers often create their own phone numbers – and try to fool you if you call them. Go to the phone listings and look up the number for the real company.
Pay attention to e-mail addresses. Major companies generally have their own e-mails. So, if the e-mail is bigcompanyname@yahoo.com or bigcompanyname@gmail.com, for example, it’s likely a scam.
More tips: Read the FBI's recent warning about job scams here, see examples of common counterfeit check schemes here, and go to the FBI's Web site for reporting Internet scams, the Internet Crimes Complaint Center, here.

Work at home scam video

How to avoid work at home scams video

Major Data Breach Puts Millions At Risk

2009-01-26T06:43:00.000-08:00

If the market meltdown, housing and bank crises weren't enough, U.S. consumers can now add the potential of massive credit and debit card fraud to the list financial concerns. A major processor of credit card transactions just disclosed its system had been hacked, putting millions of consumers at risk.

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The cyber-thieves went straight to the heart of one of the biggest and most respected credit and debit card processing companies in the country, Heartland Payment Systems of Princeton, N.J.

"It could be the largest breach ever," said cyber law attorney Andrew DeVore. "It would dwarf the largest prior breach."

Sources tell CBS News that hackers cracked Heartland's computers as far back as May of last year. But it wasn't until last week, after being alerted to suspicious activity by Visa and MasterCard, that the company uncovered malicious software in its system.

Heartland, which acts as a middle man between retailers and banks, processes 100 million transactions per month at an estimated 200,000 merchants nationwide - mainly gas stations, bars and restaurants.

The company says about it has alerted about 150,000 of them, but CBS News found several that didn't learn about the breach until we told them.

"I'm disappointed from that point of view that they wouldn't be up front and proactive. Because customers trust us to protect their records and they are the keeper of the record,'' said bar owner Peter O'Connell.

I think the release of information was a bit manipulative in the timing.

Security analyst Avivah Litan of Gartner GroupNow there are concerns the public company has downplayed the danger to untold millions of consumers.

"I think the release of information was a bit manipulative in the timing," said security analyst Avivah Litan of Gartner Group. "It was released on inauguration day, but the incident was known about for days before that."

The president of Heartland originally agreed to an interview with CBS News before canceling. We wanted to ask why the company's inauguration day in which it didn't even mention that millions of credit card numbers and expiration dates - the only information needed for fraud - were stolen.

Only today did Heartland say it doesn't know how many card numbers were compromised. It's only advice was for consumers to check their own statements to make sure they're not the latest victims of financial fraud.

Fake Stimulus Check Scam

2009-01-16T07:27:00.000-08:00

The government hasn’t even voted on whether you might get another economic stimulus check, but the Department of Consumer Affairs says scam stimulus checks are hitting South Carolina mail boxes.

Consumer Affairs says the scam begins with a fake rebate check for $7000 and tells you to register for a secondary stimulus check. Investigators say not only will you be out any money you spend from the fake check, but you’ll give your personal information to the scammers who could steal your identity. Add to that, if you call the phone number, a message will try to sell you information on how to make money on foreclosures for fifty bucks.

Said Charles Ellison with the Department of Consumer Affairs, “They’re trying to sell you a packet of information to tell you how to make money on foreclosed homes. Making outrageous claims, government programs to buy foreclosed homes, things of that nature that are just completely bogus.“

If you receive this stimulus check scam, you should not try to cash the check. Instead report it to Consumer Affairs at (800) 922-7594.

Happy Holidays

2008-11-20T07:36:00.000-08:00

Well the year is almost coming to a close and the holiday season is upon us. During this time it pay st obe extra vigilant while using your personal info. CBS News has had and excellent expose on Identity Theft in it's many forms if you missed it there links are a must see.

Your Id being sold online
Stolen Pictures
Medical Id Theft

Credit Card Theft

2008-10-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's announcement of an unprecedented identity theft bust exposed just how difficult it is to protect commerce in the digital age.

The Justice Department charged 11 people with stealing more than 40 million credit card and debit card numbers.

This link leads to a series of reports on how difficult it's becoming to protect your personal info. As the holiday season approaches it's pays to be vigilant.

Notebook

Free 30 Min Internet Security Seminar

2007-12-07T10:30:00.000-08:00

What You Should Know About Internet Security Before It’s Too Late

Listen Now!!

Holiday Alert_Freeze Your Credit

2007-11-16T07:31:00.000-08:00

Hello again,
It's that time again with the holidays near and we're really busy rushing around shopping and looking foward to spending time with family and friends. Just be aware the crooks are out shopping too!!

Here's the latest and best stop gap measure you can take to offer maximum protection.

Credit "Freeze": New Weapon Vs. I.D. Theft

A Good First Step? What Do You Think??

2007-11-08T11:45:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A bipartisan bill that would let victims of
identity theft seek restitution for money and time they spent repairing
their credit history was introduced on Tuesday in the Senate.

Read the whole article at
Id Theft Protection

Warning You Have Been Datamined!

2007-10-28T10:25:00.000-07:00

Hello,
The holidays are approaching and the scam and con artists are getting redy to go shoppin too! There is a need to protect ourselves but balancing this while protecting our right to privacy is like walking a tightrope. What do you think?

Hundreds of millions are affected each day with little or no control of their destiny.

Datamining Warning

Beware Of The Frog!!??

2007-10-16T06:36:00.000-07:00

Hello again,
This is hot news for you or anyone you know is online this is a must read before you login again!!

Beware of the frog11

Tips for Fake Check Scams from the National Fraud Information Center

2007-09-26T03:19:00.000-07:00

Tips for Recognizing and Avoiding Fake Check Scams

If someone you don’t know wants to pay you by check but wants you to wire some of the money back, beware! It’s a scam that could cost you thousands of dollars.

Read More Here

Veterans At Risk

2007-09-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

Attention:
The risk is real and the cost is dire and I can truly feel the pain of eveyone exposed to this threat. However this is an unusual type of attack because it's like a boomerang or cancer it keeps coming back. In a few previous stories I mention the children. If their records are compromised they will endure problems for the next 60 or more yrs. This also includes prosecution,jail time, credit problems,court costs,litigation,investigation, bankruptcy all costing tax dollars and personal losses. Something must be done.

Veterans At Risk

Immigration Bust at BMW-Seven Illegal Aliens Arrested

2007-08-03T05:09:00.000-07:00

Hello, I have to get the word out on this was a local news story which will have a national reach and your children are in danger too!!

Read More Here

Watch Out For Credit Card Skimming

2007-04-23T20:24:00.000-07:00

Most people would never hand over their credit cards to strangers, but many do every time they eat at a restaurant when they pay for their meal.

Find Out More Now!!

Microsoft Refunds XBox LIVE User for Fraudulent Activity

2007-04-11T06:29:00.000-07:00

A number of people whose children use X-Box Live have had their back accounts violated.

Read More Here

Beware During The Tax Crunch!!

2007-04-08T20:18:00.000-07:00

Hello,
This is a late breaking story please read now!!

Tax Time Scams

New for 2007

2007-04-07T15:47:00.000-07:00

Hi Again,
We do a number of posts during the year and reading them is fine . However there is an old saying a picture is worth a thousand words. So now from time to time we'll present scammers in action . Here is one sure to get your interest.

T.J. Maxx hack exposes consumer data

2007-04-07T08:09:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,
This particular story has been flying low and under the radar for months now so please be aware.

Read More Now

'An Identity Theft Waiting To Happen'

2007-04-07T08:04:00.000-07:00

US Top Reporters Are Wary

Meatpacker: Immigration Raids Were Show

2007-04-07T07:57:00.000-07:00

What A Surprise

Do You Have Children In School

2006-12-11T07:15:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

I wrote about this problem awhile ago but the word is not getting out and here is a prime example that happened in the local area.If you have a child in school you need to check this out and help spread the word to your local school boards.

Schoolboard Snafu

Beware of The Double Whammy!!

2006-11-14T07:07:00.000-08:00

This particular brand of ID Theft can not only end up costing you money but can also place you in physical danger

Medical ID Theft

As I Predicted the Advent of New Technologies

2006-10-05T13:38:00.000-07:00

The latest I saw is a double threat and also a bit amusing. Cellphone thefts are up dramatically and loosing one can be devestating with all the personal info they contain.

Stolen Phones Holler For Help

Tips On How To Protect Your PC

2006-09-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

Fast Facts

The Commerce Department found that since 2001 the department's 15 operating units had lost track of 1,137 laptop computers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Read More ID Theft News Here

Protecting Your Personal Data

2006-09-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

Hello,
I came across this great article from consumer reports which is really eye-opening.

October 2006
Your privacy for sale

CR Quick Take

Large data brokers have your numbers--Social Security, phone, and credit cards. They might also know about the drugs you take, what you buy, your political party, and your sexual orientation. When we investigated this secretive industry, we discovered:

• Data brokers are willing to sell even your most sensitive information to paying customers, some of them crooks.

• When CR staffers asked to see their own files, they received scant information. One report contained 31 errors.

• The federal government is a steady customer of the data collectors, but there’s no way to know what it collects or exactly how much it pays.

• Pretexters, who lie to get information about you and sell it to anybody, operate largely free of regulation.

Until Valentine’s Day weekend 2005, Elizabeth Rosen had never heard of ChoicePoint. But ChoicePoint, it turns out, knew plenty about her.

That’s when Rosen, a nurse, received a letter and found out that the Alpharetta, Ga., company had collected information about her. Among the sensitive items it had: her Social Security number, records of her insurance claims, her current and past addresses, and her employment history. Now ChoicePoint was informing her that it had inadvertently disclosed her information--and that of 165,000 other Americans--to a group of criminals. What galls Rosen more, she says, is that all along, ChoicePoint itself “was profiting by collecting and selling confidential information about me without my knowledge or consent.”

ChoicePoint, which has $1 billion in annual revenues, is only one entity in a vast and secretive data industry that feeds on private information about you and millions of other Americans. Its inhabitants include corporate mastodons with access to millions of public records; swarms of private investigators, some of whom lie to obtain confidential information; and hundreds of companies selling background checks, profiles, and address lists, all to meet the surging demand from business, law enforcement, and, increasingly since 9/11, the federal government.

The data collectors say that they’re not prying but speeding the retrieval of public records for both consumers and law enforcement, allowing businesses to cut their risks for fraud and helping marketers to zero in on customers who really want their products. “More than two-thirds of what we do is regulated by state and/or federal law,” says Chuck Jones, a spokesman for ChoicePoint.

Federal privacy and data-security laws such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act do guard some categories of data, including information used to determine eligibility for credit or insurance. But a 2006 investigation by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) concluded that such protections are limited and that Congress should require information resellers to safeguard all sensitive personal information.

Indeed, CR’s three-month investigation found that the practices of the data collectors can rob you of your privacy, threaten you with ID theft, and profile you as, say, a deadbeat or a security risk. Worse, there’s no way to find out what they are telling others about you. When our reporters requested their own records, they were told that they could not see everything that was routinely sold to businesses. The meager information they did receive was punctuated with errors.

How CU uses your data

Like many other publishers, Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, engages in database marketing and has established policies to protect customer information. CU rents and exchanges its mailing list and currently pays data brokers to enhance its customer database with supplemental data to assist in marketing and fund-raising campaigns. Information shared excludes Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, financial account numbers, and credit- and debit-card information.

CU publicizes its opt-out policy in each issue of Consumer Reports, describing how readers may request that their names not be released to other mailers. And it adheres to guidelines for the use of customer names set forth by the Direct Marketing Association. CU uses information gathered from subscribers who respond to its surveys, polls, or questionnaires only in aggregated form as source material for Consumer Reports articles and never for marketing purposes.

For complete Ratings and recommendations on appliances, cars & trucks, electronic gear, and much more, subscribe today and have access to all of Consumer Reports

Don't Let Spyware Sneak Up On You

2006-08-31T06:48:00.000-07:00

By: Howard Goff

You decide to make an online purchase from a reputable Internet site, so you add the items to your virtual shopping cart and head to the checkout. You enter your billing address, your credit card number, your card's expiration date, even your card's 3-digit authorization number. Without even knowing it, you could have provided an identity thief all of the information he or she needs to rack up charges on your account if your computer is infested with a type of spyware known as keyloggers.

Keylogger software keeps track of every letter, number, or symbol you type. Then, the information is transferred from your computer to a third-party. While keyloggers are bad enough, they are only one of over a dozen types of spyware being used by hackers and identity thieves today. What's worse is that your computer could be infected at this moment, and you may not even realize it. In October 2004, America Online and the National Cyber-Security Alliance conducted a survey about spyware. Eighty percent of respondents found spyware on their computers and 89% of those individuals never knew it was there.1

While some spyware is relatively harmless, other examples can leave you vulnerable. For example, in August 2005 Sunbelt Software discovered a spyware scheme using a program known as CoolWebSearch which was allowing information from a user's computer to be sent to a central collection point without his or her knowledge. The type of information collected included Internet activity, credit card numbers, instant message conversations, travel plans, and more. Thousands of people were potential victims of identity theft thanks to this one program.

Now how do you stop yourself from being sucked into a spyware scam? There are two answers to that question.

First, you should install anti-spyware software on your computer. This type of software can detect spyware and can help you eliminate it from your system. However, you need to realize that even the best anti-spyware software is not full-proof because identity thieves and hackers are always revising their spyware so it won't be detected. Keeping your anti-spyware software up-to-date can help reduce this risk.

Second, you need to practice safer Internet behavior. For example, only download programs from trustworthy web sites and never agree to install anything on your computer unless you know specifically what it is. Keeping your Internet Explorer updated is also a good idea because security weaknesses in the browser are often used by spyware to gain access to your personal online activities.

The bad news is that spyware is only one method of stealing your identity. If you want to learn how to protect yourself from spyware and other methods or if you've been a victim of identity theft and need to know what steps to take now, you need to read Identity Theft: A Resource Guide from PCSecurityNews.com. The ebook is available at http://www.PCSecurityNews.com.

Has Someone Stolen Your Identity?

2006-08-31T06:43:00.000-07:00

Here Are 8 Ways to Tell

By: Howard Goff

Right now, someone could be using your identity to start a new credit card, to get a loan, to drain your checking or savings account. In some cases, you might not find out about the theft for weeks, sometimes even months. Unfortunately, the longer it takes to discover the crime, the more damage will be done and the harder it will be to rectify that damage.

Thankfully, there are some ways for you to detect identity theft before the problems progress too far. Below are some of those methods.

1. Errors on your credit report – By checking your credit report yearly, you'll be able to determine if anyone is opening up accounts in your name without your permission. Otherwise, you may not learn there is a problem until you need to take out credit.

2. Mail problems – One of the least-technological ways to commit identity theft is stealing mail. If you aren't receiving mail or if you aren't getting items in the mail that you are expecting, such as credit card bills, then you may be a victim of identity theft.

3. Being rejected for credit you didn't request – As you may already know, if a creditor rejects your request for credit, he or she must send you a letter in the mail explaining the reason for the rejection. If you begin getting these letters, but you haven't been requesting credit, then that's a good sign someone is using your identity.

4. Being the victim of pretexting – Pretexting is a scheme involving the Internet or the telephone. Someone contacts you claiming to be a legitimate organization's representative, then they'll ask for your personal information, possibly a PIN number or a checking account number. If that has happened to you and you've given out that information, then there's a good chance you'll be a victim in the near future.

5. Changes in your credit balances or checking account amounts – Unexplained changes in any of your financial accounts should be a big signal to you that something is not right. That's why it's a good idea to check all of your balances weekly and compare them to your estimates. As soon as you spot a discrepancy, you need to follow up with your financial institution.

6. Being denied credit – Sadly, some people don't discover they have been identity theft victims until they go to buy a car, get a second mortgage, or open a new credit card. If you thought you had good credit but are getting denied, then it's a good time to check your credit reports, even if you've already done your yearly check.

7. Being contacted by debt collectors – When you start getting calls or letters about unpaid debts, which you don't recall having, you should never automatically pay them. Instead, send a written request for more information about the debt. By law, the creditor must supply you with this information.

8. Having some types of spyware on your computer – While not all spyware leads to identity theft, you need to realize that it can pose a serious threat to your privacy. Your passwords, credit card information, and online activities could have been monitored by unknown third parties, which leave you vulnerable to an attack.

If you want to learn more about how to detect and prevent identity theft or if you have been an identity theft victim, you need to read Identity Theft: A Resource Guide from PCSecurityNews.com. The ebook is available at http://www.PCSecurityNews.com.

How to Check Your Credit Report for Evidence of Identity Theft

2006-08-31T06:39:00.000-07:00

How to Check Your Credit Report for Evidence of Identity Theft

By: Howard Goff

Imagine finding the home of your dreams. It's the perfect location, the perfect style, even the perfect price. Excitedly, you start the loan application process. You know this part of the process will be easy since you've always paid your bills on time and only have one credit card which you pay off every month in full. To your surprise, however, your application is refused because multiple credit cards have been taken out in your name, maxed out, and never paid. Your credit is ruined, and your dream home will never be a reality thanks to an identity thief.

This scenario may be hypothetical, but similar situations happen to people all over the country daily. Many people are victims of identity theft and don't even realize it until they need to use their credit for something, such as buying a car or a home. However, it doesn't have to be that way. If you check your credit reports yearly, you can make sure that no unauthorized activities are ruining your credit.

Now that you can receive a copy of your credit report free, the only possible excuse for not monitoring it is that you can't understand how to read it and that's what we're going to discuss now.

The credit report is divided into four parts. The first part contains your personal information, such as name, social security number, and employer. You may want to check over this part for mistakes, but if you're interested in catching identity theft activity you won't find the evidence here.

Instead, one of your focuses should be on the second part of the report. This is your credit history, which includes a list of all your creditors. For each account, you'll find the date the account opened, the type of account it is, the amount the account was originally for, the amount still owed, the amount of the payments, the status of the account, and your payment history. Go over each entry in this section of your report carefully. If you find any accounts which you do not remember opening, make note of them. If any information, such as amount owed, on the accounts does not match your expectations, then make a note of that also.

Once you've reviewed the credit history portion, you'll find the public records section. Again, this probably won't be of much use to you if you're tracking down identity theft evidence because it includes liens, bankruptcies, etc. However, do make sure the information in this section is accurate. Some lenders believe that almost 80% of all credit reports do contain some types of errors and since this section is important you want it to be accurate.

The last section – the Inquiry section – should also be evaluated carefully. You see, each time you or a potential creditor checks your credit report, a note of that inquiry is made in this section. Victims of identity theft are likely to see a number of inquiries, which he or she cannot account for. Now do keep in mind that there are two types of inquiries reported in this section. The “soft” inquiries, as they are called, refer to inquiries made by potential creditors that you did not request. For example, a credit card company may check your credit history before sending you an offer for a gold card. The “hard” inquiries are the ones you need to be interested in because these are the inquires that you supposedly requested. If there's anything on that report you don't agree with, then make a note of it.

Once you have checked your report, contact the credit bureau and the creditors about any mistakes or discrepancies you notice. If you think you've been a victim of identity theft and need to know what steps to take next or if you want more suggestions on how not to become a victim, you need to read Identity Theft: A Resource Guide from PCSecurityNews.com. The ebook is available at http://www.PCSecurityNews.com.

Identity Theft's Young Victims:

2006-08-31T06:36:00.000-07:00

How to Protect Your Children's Identities
By Howard Goff

When we think of identity theft, children are probably not the first victims we might imagine. Unfortunately, more and more kids are being targeted for this crime, and the culprits may not be who you think. Right now, approximately 4% of all identity theft cases involve children, which means roughly 400,000 kids a year are having their futures ruined without their knowledge.
In an article on MSNBC.com, a 24-year old man explained that by the age of 10, his identity had been used to accumulate almost $250,000 in debt and to commit a felony. Another victim, a 9-year old boy, received a collection notice for a $2,000 debt.

Unlike most identity theft victims, however, these two individuals know exactly who was responsible for committing this crime: their fathers. According to the article, almost two-thirds of all child-related identity theft cases are committed by family members.

A child becomes a victim, in most cases, because someone else uses their social security number and name to open a credit card or to have utilities turned on. While the information can be used in other ways, those are two of the most common. And, because children aren't interested in their credit history until they turn 18 or older, most never even realize the crime has been committed until years after the theft started.

There are some ways to protect your child against potential identity theft:

· Keep their social security number locked up in a secure location – If criminals don't have access to your child's social security number, they can't steal it. Never carry their card in your purse or wallet where it could easily be lost or stolen. Never share the number with another family member or anyone else who does not have a professional need to know.

· Ask to not have their SSN listed on insurance cards – Many insurance companies list social security numbers on their cards. If yours does, then contact them and ask to use a different number.

· Do not allow your child to know his or her SSN until its necessary – Young children have no reason to know their social security numbers or to have access to their SSN card. Keep those documents safe and private until your child needs them. Children are often tempted to reveal more than they should to friends, family members, even strangers.

· Check their credit report – While a yearly check of their report may not be necessary unless you suspect a problem, it's a good idea to periodically check your child's credit reports for activity. Your child shouldn't have anything listed at all, but if anything does show up contact the credit bureau and the listed creditors immediately.

Additionally, if you are a parent you should NEVER use your child's social security number fraudulently. Not only are you committing a crime, but you are also making your child's life more difficult. Furthermore, if you know or suspect that someone is wrongly using their child's personal information, then you should contact the authorities. Don't sit idly by while they ruin that child's future.

If you want more information on preventing, detecting, or rectifying identity theft problems for children and adults, then you need to read Identity Theft: A Resource Guide from PCSecurityNews.com. The ebook is available at http://www.PCSecurityNews.com.

Don't Be Betrayed By Your Cellphone

2006-08-31T06:17:00.000-07:00

Hello, I saw this today and it touches everyone so I have to get the word out. If you own a cellphone,blackberry,etc. you really need to read this report

Cellphone Betrayal

Inrenet banking Issues

2006-08-24T19:08:00.000-07:00

Hello,
I sae a really interesting piece on the news on how banks were fighting Id Theft overseas. I think we should follow their lead and upgrade. Also on the page below there is an icon on cyber crime on the left side of the page with lots of good info.

Fighting Cyber Crime

Welcome To The Personal Finance Carnival

2006-08-14T06:56:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone will find my blog helpful and informative. Please feel free to comment.

Welcome Carnivals

More Id Info Exposed

2006-08-09T16:41:00.000-07:00

Stolen UC Berkeley laptop exposes personal data of nearly 100,000

More On Stolen Laptop

Be Wary Of Online Background Checks

2006-08-06T07:03:00.000-07:00

Plus lots more you need to know about here:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3038372/

Laptop with Missing VA Records is Found

2006-06-29T15:46:00.000-07:00

It's been missing since May 3,2006 but now it's back. That's the good news.

VA Laptop Recovered

See More Bad News Here

More About Spyware

2006-06-28T12:41:00.000-07:00

SpywareGuide.com- Inform Yourself

On The Front Lines

2006-06-27T20:48:00.000-07:00

This site is great reference and get a bit more technical if it's the info you're seeking.

Anti-CyberCrime Website

Free Exclusive Limited Time Offer To You

2006-06-27T14:36:00.000-07:00

One way to stop id theft in it's tracks for free!!

Password Master

Another Bungled Job By U.S. Govt.

2006-06-24T05:44:00.000-07:00

It seems it's getting worse and almost now a daily occurance. They say no fraud is detected yet but it takes about a year before you'l find out if you've been taken for a ride. Also more than 1 person at a time can use your info so if it was on the web in front of billions of eyes lets say just 10 take advantage. Let's do the math 10 id thieves X 28,000 honest folks = 280,000 fake accounts plus there is no telling how many individual charges to each. This will take years to clean up and at what costs???

See More Here

Learn All About The Pretext

2006-06-21T20:34:00.000-07:00

I saw a piece on the news which is closely related to ID Theft at this time it's not illegal but it should be. Tell me what you think!!

Learn About Pretext

Oh-NOOOOOOO Not Again!!

2006-06-19T07:50:00.000-07:00

It's about time for Congress to do their job and step in to institute a standard protocol in govt. handling of personal info and very stiff penalties imposed if they are not followed I'm talking 30 yrs minimum. To do this is not rocket science and they have to put a plug in the dam NOW!!!

Id Bungle In DC

Here's An Important Weapon You Can Use

2006-06-15T09:53:00.000-07:00

A simple but effective id theft deterrent

Document Shredding

stop id theft

Watch For Fake Job Scams

2006-06-14T21:26:00.000-07:00

If you spend anytime at all on the net BEWARE OF THESE

Fake Job Scams Index

Fema Hoodwinked For $1.5 Billion

2006-06-14T15:58:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,
Some claim I'm just an alarmist but my earlier posts up to this point will bear out my claims that it'll only get worse. Today's latest story verifies it.

FEMA Pays Big Time

Is An Identity Theft Pandemic Coming??

2006-06-09T07:59:00.000-07:00

Here are my thoughts on the subject let me know what you think.

Id Theft Pandemic

Are You Really Surprised;-)???

2006-06-08T08:06:00.000-07:00

Data theft hit 80 percent of active military (6/5/06)
Social Security numbers and other personal information for as many as 2.2 million U.S. military personnel -- including nearly 80 percent of the active-duty force -- were among the data stolen from the home of a Department of Veterans Affairs analyst ...
Latest Revelations

Now Bad News For Active Personnel

2006-06-06T20:18:00.000-07:00

Hello,
I'm not sure when this nightmare will end as with everyday the news seems to get worse. To be sure it'll take years for this big mess to be cleaned up. The latest revelation is now that in addition to 26.5 million veterans possibly being caught up in ID Theft.

Stolen ID Data Includes 50,000 Active Troops | June 06, 2006

Special Alert For 26.5 Million Veterans

2006-06-01T08:07:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,
It still boggles my mind when I see a govenment snafu such as this and then it's covered up for a couple of weeks and still no one seems accountable. Also the damage caused by this leak will go on for years to come. Latest releases now state it's worse than first thought as your name,address,ssn number,birthdate and phone no were included in the data stolen.If you don't know what's going on yet this is must read info. It affects us all as we all know or had someone in the military.
Anyway here are links to all the info you need to know.

Govt Website
Discuss Veteran Id Theft
CNN Updates

Stop Id Theft Before It Starts

2006-05-05T16:43:00.000-07:00

More Info Here

A New Wrinkle In The Game??

2006-05-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

There is a new manisfestation or twist to Identity Theft known as -Car Cloning . For more info read below now!!!

Car Cloning Info

Ten Steps to Reduce Your Risk of Identity Theft

2006-04-01T07:31:00.000-08:00

Ten Steps to Reduce Your Risk of Identity Theft
11/17/05
By: Howard Goff

You've probably heard about identity theft on television or read about it in the newspaper, and you may already be aware of the damage these crimes can cause victims and their families. What you may not know is how to protect yourself from these attacks. Below you'll find ten steps that can help you minimize your chances of becoming another identity theft statistic.

1. Invest in a shredder – Never throw anything away without shredding it first. Identity thieves will dig through dumpsters and trash bags looking for credit card receipts, voided checks, paid bills, credit card offers, and other items which provide them with your personal information.

2. Mail everything from the post office – Leaving your outgoing mail in or on your mailbox is an invitation to have it stolen by an identity thief. Not only can they get all of your personal information from the check, but they can even alter the check and cash it themselves. Instead, drop it by the post office or another mailbox.

3. Use a post office box – Incoming mail is also a target for identity thieves. Your bills, checks, even junk mail can be used by these thieves to steal your personal information. If you have a post office box, then your mail will be delivered safely to that box.

4. Have a non-published phone number – Some identity thieves will also use the telephone in an attempt to get your personal information. For example, one scam involved a caller telling a person he or she had won a government grant that was going to be directly deposited into their checking account. Of course, the caller needed the person's checking account number to deposit the money. If your phone number isn't available, then you won't be harassed by these calls.

5. Check your accounts weekly – If you don't already, you need to get in the habit of checking the balances of all your financial accounts on a weekly basis. Waiting for monthly statements isn't good enough because by then your account could have been completely drained.

6. Check your credit report yearly – Every year, you should request free copies of your credit report and check them for any errors, such as credit cards or loans you never took out. If you find out now that someone is using your identity, you can start correcting the problem before you need to use your own credit.

7. Memorize PIN numbers and passwords – Never write down your PIN numbers or passwords. No place is a safe place to keep these important pieces of information. Keep them in your memory so no one can steal them. Also, make them more complicated than an ordinary word or your birthday. It shouldn't be easy for anyone to guess.

8. Keep only basic information on checks – Your checks should only include basic information about you, such as your name and address. Your social security number should never be printed on your checks. If it is, then you're basically handing over the keys to your identity to any thief who comes in contact with your check.

9. Eliminate unwanted credit card offers – Those credit card offers you throw away can be used by identity thieves. They simply have to complete the application and change the address to have a card sent to them in your name. You should shred them, but you can also call 1-888-567-8688 or visit http://www.optoutprescreen.com to opt-out of the credit card offer mailing list so you'll stop receiving them.

10. Carry only necessities – Never carry anything in your purse or wallet that isn't necessary, such as extra deposit slips, social security cards, birth certificates, etc. The more personal information your purse or wallet contains the more valuable it will be to an identity thief if it is lost or stolen.

Although we only promised ten steps, we're throwing in an extra one to help you protect yourself even further.

11. Go electronic – Bank statements, most bills, and many other documents can all be viewed electronically so you never have to worry about them being stolen out of your mailbox or your trash. Contact your financial institution, credit card companies, and utility providers about the availability of this option. As an extra bonus, many of these businesses offer incentives to individuals who sign up for these electronic programs.

These steps are only some of the ways you can protect yourself from identity thieves. For even more suggestions on reducing your risk or details on what to do if you've been an identity theft victim, you need to read Identity Theft: A Resource Guide from PCSecurityNews.com. The ebook is available at PC Security News

Special Alert - Are You A Zombie???

2006-02-02T08:12:00.000-08:00

There is a new trend developing though it's been around awhile is picking up momentum fast. Find out more here now!!!

Learn About Zombies Now!!!

Warning- You Have Been Datamined!!!

2006-01-17T13:22:00.000-08:00

Here are everyday occurances which we really don't think about but can have profound effects.

Read More Here

Warning Data Burglars

2006-01-17T13:15:00.000-08:00

This is also part of the problem which is closely related but not being addressed. You can see my article all about it in the next post.

See More Here

ID Theft Spy

2006-01-17T07:08:00.000-08:00

Advice from A Personal Data Security Expert

See Identity Theft Spy Here

Identity Theft Statistics Cases per year

2006-01-16T20:29:00.000-08:00

Most identity theft cases are still not reported to the police so exact numbers are impossible to guage.

Up to 700,000 people in the United States may be victimized by identity bandits each year, according to the Justice Department (during press release- 2002 Federal Trade Commission Study). Recent reports now talk about 10,000,000 victims.

The Secret Service estimates that in 1997 consumers lost more than $745 million due to identity theft. These days it is probably in the billions.
A recent report on identity theft warned that there is likely to be "mass victimization" of consumers within the next two years. The report said consumers should be extra careful to monitor all their financial transactions for unexplained account activity, withdrawals, or fund transfers.

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America. The average victim spends 175 hours and $1000.00 repairing the damage.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission says that identity theft is its number one source of consumer complaints - 42 percent of all complaints, in 2001.

" Every 79 seconds, a thief steals someone's identity, opens accounts in the victim's name and goes on a buying spree."

-CBSnews.com, 1/25/2001

A study by Gartner Group reveals that 1 in 50 consumers has suffered identity theft. The survey, conducted by Gartner Inc., also indicates consumers are so concerned about the problem that they are calling for changes in the way electronic transactions are performed.

According to the FTC's figures, ID theft is the most popular form of consumer fraud, in part because it is the most profitable. ID thieves stole nearly $100 million from financial institutions last year, or an average of $6,767 per victim.

Free PC Scan Here

2006-01-16T08:26:00.000-08:00

Hello,

Have you noticed your computer running slower than ever?

The reason for that may have to do with online advertisers adding SpyWare or AdWare to your computer without your knowledge. "Spyware" is a common term for files that are installed on your system without your knowledge that allow companies to monitor your Internet activity. "AdWare" is software that will show you popup ads over and over. What they don't tell you, however, is how these files can be extremely dangerous to your PC and could cause major problems with your PC.

We are offering every computer owner, including yourself, the opportunity to scan your computer to see how many "SpyWare" infections your PC has free of charge.

To scan your computer for free, click here:
Free Scan Here

Our goal is to put an end to shady online advertising so that Internet users can enjoy the World Wide Web without having their privacy intruded upon.

We urge you to run the free scan!

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Free Scan Here

Thank you for your time, and we hope that we have been of some help.

Identity Theft (R&R)?

2006-01-05T08:03:00.000-08:00

Identity Theft (R&R)?

One of the hottest buzzwords in the news today is Identity Theft which is now reaching epidemic proportions...

Identity theft is the most prolific crimes committed today and it knows no boundaries. So by now most people know of the problem but are unaware of how it all got started.

It's basically what's old is new again thus the teaser ID Theft R&R??? Which stands for Retrospective and Rebirth.

Its started back in the 60's which was a time of conflict and change the Vietnam war and Civil Right protesters and the Underground mainly SDS and the Weathermen among others.

During this time to avoid the military draft you could goto Canada,Mexico or to college. But a cheaper and more eficient option arose by assuming a new identity and staying in this country.

This was easily done by reading the obituaries and finding one close to your age getting the vital info and applying for the birth certificate from there drivers liscense and so on.

There are still a few left from this era as from time to time you'll see on the news an arrest of someone who disappeared 25 yrs ago. The war ended in 1975 and so the threat of the draft ended so there was a brief respite. In the background at this time was the Internet which was a sleeping giant waiting to be stirred.

It was now 1985 and PC's were now penetrating the home and the Net was beginning to be commercialized. Identity theft was once again making a comeback but it was still largely an one on one event. Finally reaching 1990 the net was beginning to flourish with the infancy of the dot-com boom. The world is now truly becoming a global village. By 1996 ther were in excess of 300,000 annual reports of this crime and it's beeen growing daily. Like anything else in the world it reflects all of it's community both good and bad. Identity theft was now splitting into 2 main camps.

The first being 1 on 1 events where you come into contact with the theft personally either through physical contact or lost personal info,phishing, or spyware on your computer.

The second is wholesale theft of info by hackers breaking into bank and credit card companies where thousands to millions of people are compromised all at once.

As recently as a few years ago the technique of dumpster diving was perfected where you'd go to a dumpster behind a business bank ,dept store ,restaurant and look for cc reciepts. But this has now been replaced by spyware which is software which invades your computer to access all your acct info and phishing which is an email sent to you representing maybe your bank or cc company requesting acct. info to which if you respond lose your money.

To check or elimiminate spyware from your computer goto spybot.com which is an excellent free tool. As for phishing a good rule of thumb is if contacted and not absolutey sure it's a company or person you do business with just hang up or you can call them back so you know who your in contact with.

If you do become a victim it can be likened to entering a blackhole as you go in but never really sure when you'll get out. The personal costs can be excessive and and can take years to clear up.

On a positive note I see whole new industries popping up to combat the problem with plenty of growth for them in the future.

Anti-spyware, biometrics, insurance, prevention, and detection to name a few. For more info goto:

Spyware Remover Information - Discover and eliminate spyware adware and other evil programs that are lurking on your PC. Keep your information and browsing behavior private! Reduce SPAM. Award winning software from reputable vendors.

Welcome To My Web Portal

2006-01-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

Identity theft is a problem that has been swept under the rug for too long and it's time for us to take a stand. This blog will help lots of folks out there please feel free to post any questions or insights. I've experienced first-hand of what happens but more on that later. But first -please read my article published a number of months ago.