Anyone who surfs the Web places her computer in harm’s way. Hackers can easily infect unprotected machines with viruses, spyware, and countless other malicious programs. And hackers often moonlight as identity thieves who then obtain personal and financial information from these compromised computer systems.
You may be unaware of these threats—even when your computer is a host. Unwittingly invite enough of these programs onto your machine, and you risk rendering your system inoperative until your computer geek friend visits to fix it. And if you have no computer geek friend, then a solution will cost you even more time and money. Meanwhile, identity thieves will have a field day—literally at your expense.
The good news is this: By following practical, simple advice, you can protect yourself against computer-driven identity theft and other security threats of the high tech world:
Install a different Internet browser. The software out there for surfing the Internet can be fraught with security holes. Try Firefox™. A free program, Firefox is an excellent browser that features stellar functionality and scant security susceptibilities.
Run an effective firewall system at all times. As you surf the Web, your computer encounters a firestorm of threats specifically designed to attack your machine and compromise or even ruin your operating system. A firewall filters them out. Use one continuously.
Use antispyware software while surfing—and heed its warnings. Antispyware programs scan your online activity for spyware that may be attempting to infiltrate your system. Use at least two antispyware programs simultaneously for effective protection.
Use a free e-mail address for transactions. This will make it a lot tougher for thieves to trace your name back to financial information. As an added bonus, the practice provides added protection against online stalkers.
Vary the passwords you use. By having only one or two passwords for all your online access, you make the identity thief’s job easy.
Track your identity before something goes awry. Tools are available. MyPublicInfo (MPI), for instance, provides the Public Information Profile (PIP), a tool that helps to trace the public "threads" that run through our lives. The PIP aggregates public information from disparate sources into a complete and legally conforming personal profile. Through my Web site (www.idtheftsecurity.com), I provide a link to more information about the PIP.
Avoid following links or buying from e-mail spam, which could really be a message from phishers, those who send “spoof” e-mails that masquerade as legitimate messages.
Enter your personal information only at familiar Web sites. Charlatans known as pharmers can redirect a DNS to a fake site designed to steal information. Exercise extra caution by making sure the site features https—not simply http.
Never provide your Social Security number. Most of the time, the information is unnecessary, making any request for it suspect. Exceptions include when you call your credit card company for information, and the organization asks for the final four digits of the number.
Use an untraceable 800-number if you date online or must post a phone number to the Web or to a classified ad. Thieves and online stalkers can find out where you live and just about anything else from a home phone number. Companies such as PrivateTel (www.privatetelsolutions.com), NetworkIP (www.networkip.net), and others provide applicable 800-number services.
Beware of social engineers, identity thieves who gain victims’ trust before stealing personal and financial information. Social engineers use psychological techniques to give themselves a veneer of legitimacy. For instance, they may claim to work for charitable donations. Typically, they solicit via phone.
Whenever possible, use a credit card instead of a check. Should thieves get hold of your credit card information, you will encounter far fewer obstacles as you rectify the situation. With your checking account information, thieves can get your money for good and leave you bereft of recourse.
We must accept responsibility for our own identities. Install the right software, don’t forget to run it, and pay attention to what you download. Nothing done from the top down—whether it is legislation from government or new policy from industry—will be a cure-all for identity theft. But nothing thwarts the identity thief like the well-informed, cautious computer user.
