Identity Theft Tips
Get a criss-cut shredder and shred all financial documents, anything with your name, address, or other personal information before you throw them away. [Why?]
Thieves frequently use “dumpster diving” to acquire your personal information from old mail, credit card offers, or other documents indicating personal information about you. They can use something as simple as a name or an account number to transfer your statements to another mailing address and begin stealing your identity. By shredding your documents with a criss- cut shredder, you slam the door on the dumpster diver.
Use Cash Whenever Possible. [Why?]
Thieves are lurking where you least expect it. That cute waitress at the bar or restaurant, or the nice young man who helps you find what you want at the sporting goods store could be "skimming" your credit card information without your knowledge. "Skimmers" the size of a cell phone or pager can be used by thieves to take all your credit card information without your knowledge. By simply sliding your credit card through the skimmer on the way to process your transaction, the crook gets away with all your account information for use on another day. Stop them in their tracks by using cash.
Protect your social security number ; do not carry your social security card with you or write it on any checks or other documents. Place it in a very safe place. [Why?]
Your Social Security number is the key to opening any financial account. Once a bad guy has your social security number, they can open credit cards or bank accounts in your name; use it for obtaining (and not paying for) medical treatment; or use it during legal proceedings in court. Be extremely careful who you provide this number to.
Do not provide personal information over the telephone, over the internet, or via the us mail unless you know absolutely who you are in communication with and who will be receiving the info you provide. [Why?]
The weakest link in any organization is the human element. Thieves infiltrate legitimate organizations such as banks, mortgage companies, and utility providers. They obtain jobs as customer service agents so they can have access to your personal information. Think carefully about any information you provide and realize that many times, entering data over the internet from a legitimate site is actually safer than giving to a faceless person on the end of a telephone. Be very weary of sending any personal data using the US mail. Instead, navigate to a web site by typing in the URL (web address) yourself. Data processed by computers is usually much safer than data processed by people.
Never click on links in emails you receive unless you either requested the email, or are sure of it's sender. Open a new browser window and enter the URL (web address) by yourself. [Why?]
Hackers and crooks have been using faked or "spoofed" email for many years to steal data from the unsuspecting . It is very easy to make an email look like one from your bank, internet service provider, or any other legitimate organization. If a link within these fraudulent emails is clicked upon, a new web site is displayed. Crooks make use of technology to make the page appear legitimate (like your bank), but in actuality, the site is a fake, designed with the sole purpose of stealing your usernames, passwords, and account numbers. Stop the bad guys cold by opening a new browser window and entering the address yourself. If you stumble upon a fake email, sometimes called a "phishing scam" , be sure to notify the legitimate site so they can investigate and shut these scum down.
Buy a Safe and secure it to the floor or some other immoveable object, or get a safety deposit box. [Why?]
Your personal information, unused checks, unused credit cards, social security number, birth certificates etc. must be secured away from personal access. Remember the human element is the weak link. Any person you allow access to your home, including maintenance workers, nannys, family friends or others can use your unsecured information to wreak havoc on your life. Information stolen from your home is more valuable because it has a more complete profile of you. It is not uncommon for an invited guest to open a drawer and remove an unused credit card or other document. They can even activate it from your home phone without your knowledge. Keep the scum from scamming your home by locking your information up.
Sign up for Internet or email bill delivery. [Why?]
The stealing of mail is increasingly becoming a problem. Credit card companies, banks, financial institutions etc. send statements via the US mail which contain valuable information such as account numbers, addresses, names, and balances. Thieves can steal your mail from an unsecured mail box and begin to change or alter your accounts. By using electronic delivery, offered now from most financial organizations, you again prevent the human element from stealing your personal information.
Use a credit monitoring service which monitors all three credit bureau's and places fraud alerts on your accounts. [Why?]
Fraud Alerts prevent crooks from opening new accounts without your express consent. An overall credit security firm such as Lifelock not only places those alerts for you, but re-sets them every few months, monitors them closely, and can provide immediate notification if someone is attempting to illegally access your information. Lifelock also backs their product with a million dollar loss guarantee.
Computer Security Tips
Use quality anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Maintain your subscriptions to ensure you are up to date. Check for updates on daily basis. Run the checks daily or set them to run daily automatically. [Why?]
The very basic process of installing, maintaining, and running computer protection products is the single most important step you can do to secure information on your computer. Hackers and crooks are busy developing new ways to access and steal your personal information each day. To keep up with them, security companies work just as hard. By using a brand name tool, you are able to ensure your computers are able to keep your information safe. In this day and age where we do our taxes, manage our money, and conduct our business on our computers, it is vital that information remains secured and locked down. Install good tools, and use them often.
Do not carry important files on portable devices such as “flash drives” which are not secure. Use a tool such as IronKey to transport your files securely. [Why?]
One of the most common ways people lose important information is to either leave it on a computer which other people have access to, or by putting it on a USB flash drive and then either loosing the drive, or allowing others to have access to it. Devices such as IronKey encrypt your information the moment you pull the flash drive out of your computer. Your files remain safe, even if you lose the device. NOBODY, even computer security professionals, can access your data. In fact, if somebody tries ten times in a row to access your password, the data will automatically self destruct.
Do not ask friends whom you do not completely know and trust to “fix” your computer. [Why?]
As mentioned earlier, the weakest link in any security procedure is the human one. Even if all the best security products in use, they can easily be compromised by a naïve computer user attempting to save some repair money by having a family friend or office “expert” work on your computer. By allowing someone inside of your machine, you are providing an opportunity for the “expert” to browse your personal files, take what they want, or even worse, install software which will provide remote access to your machine without being anywhere near it. Take your computer to an authorized service center after browsing online solutions from appropriate websites. Most service centers videotape the repair process so as to prevent frivolous claims from customers. This precaution protects you, and your data. Before you take your computer in for repair, remove sensitive data from your computer and back it up onto a secure device such as IronKey.
If you use a wireless access point in your home or office, make absolutely sure you use the security tools provided with the wireless router, modem, or access point. [Why?]
One of the easiest way for crooks to get into your computers is through an unsecured internet access point. Most devices offer the use of either WEP or WAP (you don’t need to know what these mean), to lock down your information. Using either of these security procedures will prevent thieves from getting into your computers. Bad guys frequently travel around and use cheap and easily available devices to scan for unsecured wireless devices. Once found, they can often have full access to your computers and personal data. They can even use your internet connection to commit further crimes such as trading child pornography, hacking into other’s computers, or worse. If law enforcement officials investigate these crimes, they will end up looking for you. Utilizing WEP or WAP as outlined in the manuals for your routers, modems, or access points, prevents unauthorized use of your equipment.
Make sure update your operating system software frequently or set it to automatically update as new upgrades are available. [Why?]
Just as Security software needs to be updated frequently to keep up with new virus’ or spyware, your operating system needs to be updated to prevent intruders and make sure your computer remains running smoothly. Many hacker attacks are aimed specifically at vulnerabilities in the design of the operating system. By updating regularly, the “patches” provided will prevent unauthorized access.
Do not download music or other files from web sites which are not legitimate, or where they are offered as “Free.” [Why?]
Nothing in life is free. Think about this. Many people feel the free music provided at “Peer to Peer” web sites will save them a few dollars. Files from such sites are almost always created and uploaded by hackers and thieves. They attach small files into the music files. When you play them on your computer, cell phone, or other digital device, the secret files automatically open and install themselves on your computer without your knowledge or consent. These files frequently, again, provide the crook easy and unrestricted access to your computer. They can even send out regular emails without your knowledge providing usernames and passwords for web sites you use frequently, such as banks, mortgage companies, or any other web sites you use. Use a legitimate music purchasing site for media such as iTunes, Amazon, or even Walmart.
Use a secure web browser to surf the internet. Clear your internet Cache and Cookies on a very regular basis. [Why?]
Different web browsers have different levels of security for surfing the web. The best way to do this is to use a web browser which is contained on a secure USB flash drive such as IronKey. Crooks and bad guys sometimes used “spoofed” web pages which appear exactly like legitimate ones. For example, they may create a web page which looks exactly like your bank’s web page. If you link to it from a “phishing” email (one designed by thieves to look like legitimate ones), you may end up at one of their crooked sites. Once there, you basically give the bad guys your personal information. By surfing securely from a USB flash device, you prevent any unauthorized access to the rest of your computer. IronKey stores your log in information securely in an encrypted form. There is nothing kept on your computer for thieves to take, and your information remains protected. Surf the web without worrying which web site will allow the bad guys in. Surf Safe!
Protecting Children Tips
Never allow your child to have a computer in their bedroom. [Why?]
One of the biggest problems facing parents is the inability to properly supervise their children. The computer is the single most revolutionary and powerful item of this generation. Most parents simply do not have the technical skills to be able to properly supervise a child's computer use. Plain old "looking over one's shoulder" parenting cannot take place if the child is behind a closed door accessing the Internet. In addition, research has shown that teens will not engage in risky online behavior if they know their parents are in the room, or could be at any time. Fight the urge to give into a pleading teen.NEVER allow them alone in their bedroom with a computer.
Never allow young children to surf the web unless a parent is in the room. [Why?]
Even with "safe" web browsers and other parental filters, modern computers are complex and it becomes easy for a child to "drift" in and out of different browsers, internet environments, and other dangerous areas of the cyberworld. The only truly effective way to parent in this digital age is TO BE PRESENT, quite literally. You need to poke your head over your kids shoulder and see what they are doing. Ask questions. If their answer does not make sense, or if they turn it off or shut a laptop lid when you come in the room, TAKE THE COMPUTER AWAY. As a parent you should provide little room for deceit or half-truths. The consequences can be devastating. If you ask a question and your kids are evasive, they are doing something they should not be doing. Ask questions until you are satisfied. Do not accept your own ignorance as the status quo. LEARN when you have to, and ask your kids to teach you.you will both have fun in the process
Do not allow young children to use a computer at a friend's house unless you know the parents and discuss it ahead of time. [Why?]
Research has shown that children frequently get introduced to risky Internet behavior from an older sibling of a friend, while visiting their homes. For young children, something appearing innocent, such as YouTube can quickly turn to near pornographic content, or other shocking or violent content. Other parents may not be as informed as you or supervise as closely. You cannot assume that your kids will be safe. Ask questions about computers, visitors, who will be home and how they supervise their children while on the computer. Make informed decision and prevent the introduction of inappropriate graphic content into the lives of your children.
Do not allow young children to surf the web using a standard web browser. [Why?]
The FBI has released statistics recently, which indicate that a child who uses a standard web browser to surf the internet (such as Internet Explorer, or Firefox), runs a 34% chance of viewing extremely explicit pornography "by accident." Many products offer a secure web browser made for children. These browsers only allow children to surf to safe sites within a safe online community and view only age appropriate content. They also filter their searches so nothing "surprises" them while online. Products such as the Shrek Browser or Tuki Browser allow for such use. Companies like the Children's Educational Network (see resource page) were designed by parents to take control back from companies pushing sexual perversion and pornography. Their 100% Safe Community for kids, Club Tuki , offers your children a place to communicate with other children, play games, view educational material, and most importantly, have safe fun.
Do not allow young children to have their own login password. [Why?]
The "login password" is the password you must enter when the computer is starting up. By keeping the password, and changing it frequently, you prevent your children from using the computer when you are not home, or when you do not want them to use it. Taking back control of the computer means you can establish sound rules for computer use, allowing you to parent effectively, and prevent unauthorized use of your computers. NEVER allow children to use their computer or cellular telephones after you have gone to bed. Set a computer use time schedule which indicates what time the computer goes on and off each day, and who can use it when. Post the schedule in a conspicuous place and refer to it when you encounter whining or other resistance. You are the parent, take back control!
If your kids use search engines such as Google or Yahoo, use the preferences settings to limit and filter the search results. [Why?]
Almost all search engines now offer some way to filter the results of a search. Without utilizing these filters (in Google, "strict, moderate, or no filtering.) a search for something as innocent as "Mickey Mouse" can result in search results which link to pornographic web sites, hacker web sites which can steal your info, OR WORSE! Set the filtering appropriately and prevent inappropriate content from your child's search results. In Google, click on the word "Preferences" which appears directly after the search box. You children will be safer as you take back control.
Use a reliable quality computer monitoring software such as Spector Pro to remove any doubt as to what your children do while online. [Why?]
It is impossible to know completely what your children do on their computer without proven, quality-monitoring software such as Spector Pro. These monitoring tools take "screenshots" or pictures of the computer screen at regular intervals and email them to you, wherever you are. They also record all chat and instant messenger conversations, email transmissions, and what they type into search engines such as Yahoo, and Google. There is no way to defeat the software and you, as a parent, are able know absolutely, AND TRUTHFULLY, what your kids are doing online. Did you know that most teens have two MySpace or Facebook pages? One to show their parents, and one for their friends. They also are able to send and receive MySpace messages from their Cellphones. Monitoring software slams the door shut on deceit and risky online behavior by showing you EVERYTHING your kids are doing on their computers.
Actively, and regularly, examine your child's cellular telephone if they have one. [Why?]
Modern technology has reduced the size of today's communication devices. Cellphones are actually mini computers, with the ability to send and receive chat, Instant messages, text messages, email, and even send pictures and movies easily. Most kids learn to utilize this technology quickly and become experts at data transmission and communication. By picking up your kids phone and poking around into their files, pictures, and messages, you will be deterring them from using the phone's features in a dangerous or reckless manner. If they are doing something they should not be, you can discover it and take action. Move parenting into the 21st century by actively monitoring your kid's use of technology!
Check your local sex offender registry regularly and show picture of dangerous offenders to your kids. [Why?]
Registered sexual offenders are often very mobile, moving frequently from one place to another in order to avoid detection. Unfortunately, many parents do not check their local Megan's law web site more than once. This means you will not see the new sex offender who has moved into your block. Do not be afraid to show a few pictures of the worst offenders to your children. The Megan's law system is one designed to notify parents and children of offenders, so you can keep your children safe and away from these scum. Because the registries frequently have many listings, the power of notification can be lost through sheer numbers. To avoid this, only select a few of the worst, so your child can remember what they look like. Check back frequently to ensure you are getting accurate data. Do not use commercial web sites posing as "official" notification web sites Go to the FBI's web site and find out the official web site for your state. If the site you end up at has advertisements on it, you are in the wrong spot.
Get your children fingerprinted and photographed by a service such as the National Child Identification Program. [Why?]
800,000 children go missing each year. If a child is missing, law enforcement authorities can use the child's completed I.D. Kit to scan the child's fingerprints into the National Crime Information Center database. These fingerprints can then be used to help locate the child in a variety of ways. Even when a child is abducted by a divorced parent, these fingerprints can enable the abductor to be prosecuted. This can happen many years later as the then teen applies for his first drivers license. Information regarding the child's fingerprints is stored indefinitely once a child goes missing.
Never allow your children to visit other children's home without specifically asking who else will be at the home. [Why?]
Most child molestations occur because parents unknowingly provide INDIRECT access to their children. If your child is visiting another child's home, you may not know that an older brother, uncle, worker, neighbor, or other adult male is in their home and will have access to your children. YOU MUST make informed parental decisions in this day and age. Child molesters are very aware of the location and play patterns of children they have access to. They plan their days so they can be around children, usually in a cheerful and helpful manner, so they can begin the process of grooming children as future victims. Do not allow your child to visit other homes when adult men whom you do not know are present. Prevent crimes before they even begin by taking steps to know who your child will be exposed to when on a play date, sleep-over, or any other visits at someone else's home.
Teach your children a safety plan including how to react if assaulted or attacked. Discuss openly the need to stay clear of men they do not know and to be cautious around even those they do. [Why?]
Most Sex Offenders are arrested after committing multiple crimes, and are not prior sex offender registrants. Many do not have prior records. It is misleading to believe your will know who the sex offenders in your area are because you know who is on your local Megan's law web site You must learn how these guys operate and prevent them from having access to your children. Many web sites, such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's, and Operation Safe Now, offer resources for parents and children to enhance child safety through education. Knowledge is the key to preventing these scum from entering the lives of your kids!
Protecting Your Identity