12-14-09 | Katie | No Comments
Just to prove that anyone can claim to be anything online, this week a man who claimed to be a player for the Denver Broncos online was convicted of identity theft, and motor vehicle theft.
The 40 year old was going by the handle of Johnny Harlan. He managed to convince a number of users online to give out personal information, usually fans. He then used the fans information to get expensive cars and loans.
He faces upto 48 years in jail, but will not be sentinced until Feb. 26th. In additon to the charges he faces in his home town, he will also have to face charges in Denver.
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12-14-09 | Katie | No Comments
Sure, that girl in the MMO is hot, or at least her custom avatar is, does that mean you should trust her?
Probably not.
Remember that a stranger you meet in a game is just like any other stranger. They could still be out to take your identity. You need to be careful not to give out personal data like:
- Your address
- Your real life occupation (IRL)
- Any passwords
- Anything you would not give away in any other situations.
So, be wary on that avatar. No matter how well you think that you know another player, you could just be succumbing to a scammer.
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12-10-09 | Katie | No Comments
This holiday season we are all looking for a deal. Identity thieves know this, and they are looking to take advantage of it. That means you should be wary of coupon sites.
If a site promises you amazing deals after you register, keep your guard skip on the deal if you have to give them.
* Your address
* Any financial information
* Home phone number
* Your occupation of employer
Basically, if it seems remotely off, pass on it.
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12-8-09 | Katie | No Comments
Facebook users be aware. Soon, your settings will be changes. Unlike previous attempts, which have been based on maxamizing the ad revenue, these changes are designed to protect your privacy.
The change, no more regional networks. Why? Well, noone says it as well as Tom.
“However, as Facebook has grown, some of these regional networks now have millions of members and we’ve concluded that this is no longer the best way for you to control your privacy. Almost 50 percent of all Facebook users are members of regional networks, so this is an important issue for us. If we can build a better system, then more than 100 million people will have even more control of their information.
The plan we’ve come up with is to remove regional networks completely and create a simpler model for privacy control where you can set content to be available to only your friends, friends of your friends, or everyone.”
So, do not be shocked when the network dissapears. Keep your eyes peeled. This time at least, their changes seem to have been for the good of end users.
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12-7-09 | Katie | No Comments
Sophos, the internet security company decided to run a test on just how secure your information is, and the results were not promising. They sent out two fake identities, 21-year-old “Daisy Feletin” and 56-year-old “Dinette Stonily”
Each had a non-human photo posted on their profile (in Daisys case a rubber duck, and in Dinette’s two cats), and sent out 100 random friend requests. The average acceptance rate: 95 people. What kind of information did they share?
- Date of Birth (Full)
- Personal information about friends and family.
Add that to some of the data in your profile, like your home state, occupation and wesites you visit, and Facebook is an identity theft banquet.
Be careful who you friend.
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12-4-09 | Katie | No Comments
If you want to set up a VPN (Virtual Private Network) and get your data as secure as any home network can reasonably be, then these links can help you get to the directions that you need. No stress, and no searching through 1000 Google results.
For Mac Users
For Windows XP Users
For Windows Vista Users
For Windows 7 Users
Now, you can browse safe and sound.
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12-4-09 | Katie | No Comments
WPA is a newer standard, one that will keep you safer then the previously mentioned WEP. If you have only newer hardware that can support WPA it should be your security of choice. If you do not know how to set it up, these links can help you out.
Belkin
Linksys
Netgear
Now, you can get secure.
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12-4-09 | Katie | No Comments
WEP may be considered an older security standard, but for many homes it will still be a valid choice. If you have a home with a mix of older and newer systems (or just older systems) it may be your only choice. Here are some of the WEP setup instructions for popular router models.
Linksys
Belkin
Now you can enjoy more secure browsing.
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11-30-09 | Chris | No Comments
Identity theft stories show up in the news day after day. Although many of the stories do not have a happy ending, there is a lot that you can learn from them anyway. Here are three recent identity theft stories that offer a lot of solid information:
1. Identity theft hits close to home
2. New SSN may not solve identity theft
3. Is Online Shopping Safe for the Holiday Season?
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11-25-09 | Chris | No Comments
Do you plan on spending Black Friday at the mall searching for the best deals? Or maybe you will sit at home and do all your shopping online? Either way, you are sure to have a lot of fun. But remember this: your fun will turn to pain if your identity is stolen. This is one time of the year that thieves really seize the opportunity to steal the identity of unsuspecting consumers.
Here are two tips to keep in mind:
1. Do not use your credit card at any store that you do not trust. This holds true for both land based and online stores – more so those that you find via the internet.
2. Keep a close eye on your purse or wallet. The holiday season is when many people are out on the prowl, looking to steal off of others. Imagine how much information you would be giving a thief if he has access to your wallet. This could include your credit cards, social security number, etc.
Have fun on Black Friday. Just make sure you are also doing all that you can to avoid becoming the next identity theft victim!
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