Identity theft is not new. This crime has been around for longer than the Internet — it’s just become more sophisticated.
The short version is that no matter how diligently we try to protect what’s important (personal information, credit cards numbers, and bank account information), the criminals are better at circumventing these protections.
It’s never a bad idea, therefore, to review the latest forms of identity theft. Find out what you can do to stop identity theft and how you might be giving your information away.
Internet Identity Theft
You may have unknowingly given information. This is how information could be stolen from banks, retailers, and other third-party entities. This means that you could give away personal information every time you log on to a website, whether it is credit card, debit card, or password.
Phishing is over
Like fishing, phishing uses lures to catch its next victim. It may appear as spam e-mail, or pop-up warnings that look like they came from a trusted company.
The 57 million victims of phishing attacks know that one click is all that’s needed. Truth? Legitimate companies won’t ask for personal data via e-mail.
Buy the Pharm
When a cyber criminal finds a flaw in an Internet Service Provider, DNS server, and hijacks the domain of a known site, it is known as Pharming. Anybody who visits the site will then be redirected by the same, but fake site. This allows you to log on to the authentic website by collecting personal information.
Beware of Spyware
Spyware is technology that secretly collects information. It logs all your keystrokes or uses Trojans to steal information from your computer. Trojans can be used to view spam e mails or click on pop-up ads.
It may seem impossible to protect oneself, but there are companies who have made it their mission to protect consumers. VirnetX, a software and security company, is one example. created GabrielA set of secure communication applications derived from a U.S. Department of Defense Project.
Gabriel uses automatic virtual private networks that are military-grade encrypted to transmit information — think Cryptograms. Hackers cannot see your communication and data thus.
Gabriel offers secure messaging, voice and video calling as well as free mail and messaging.
Gabriel Collaboration Suite can be tried for free. Go to for more information. www.gabrielsecure.comOr the Google Play Store.
