Posts Tagged: ‘identity thieves’

Scam of the day – May 20, 2013 – Critical Microsoft updates

May 20, 2013 Posted by Steven Weisman, Esq.

As I often tell you, it is critical to keep your software programs updated with the latest security patches.  Identity thieves and scammers are constantly locating and exploiting flaws in the software we all use in an effort to steal from us, make us victims of identity theft or gain control of our computers to make them a part of a bot net of zombie computers that they can use to spread viruses and malware as well as attack companies.  Consequently I regularly report on the latest software security updates for you to download.  Microsoft recently announced new updates for Windows, Internet Explorer, NET Framework, Lync, Microsoft Office and Microsoft Windows Essential.  Since everyone uses at least one of these programs, it is important for you to update your programs.

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Here is a link you can trust to the official Microsoft updates that you should download as soon as possible:  https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA13-134A

If you have not already done so, you should consider making future updates automatic.  Links to enable you to do this can be found on the page that I am linking you to above.

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Scam of the day – April 8, 2013 – Mozilla Firefox updates

April 7, 2013 Posted by Steven Weisman, Esq.

It is very important to keep all of your software patched with the latest security patches to prevent scammers and identity thieves from exploiting vulnerabilities in your software.  Mozilla Firefox is an excellent web browser used by many people and recently it issued a security alert in regard to fixing security issues identified in the software.  Identity thieves and scammers are always taking advantage of people who neglect to promptly update their security software so it is critical if you use Mozilla Firefox that you update your software as soon as possible.

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Here is a link to the latest security bulletin from Mozilla Firefox with links that will enable you to download the security patches.

http://www.mozilla.org/security/known-vulnerabilities/firefox.html

I also invite you to check out the vast number of scams contained in the archives of scamicide.com which can be accessed directly from the bottom of the blog where it says “older entries.”

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Scam of the day – March 17, 2013 – Safari 6.0.3 and OS X Mountain Lion security updates

March 17, 2013 Posted by Steven Weisman, Esq.

As I constantly remind people, it is critical to keep your software programs updated with all of the latest security updates.  Some people have their software automatically updated, but others wait until they learn of the latest security patches and some don’t get around at all to updating their software security.  That is a big mistake.  Identity thieves take advantage of vulnerabilities in popular software programs that they discover and then exploit, often before the vulnerabilities are discovered, but even after the vulnerabilities have been dealt with by the software companies in computers of people who fail to update their software programs as soon as possible.  Safari is a web browser created by Apple that is included with Macs.  Recently Apple became aware of security flaws in the software and took steps to patch those flaws.  But those patches are only helpful if you use them.  Apple has also issued updates to its security for its OS X Mountain Lion desk top operating system.  Failure to update your software could easily result in your becoming a victim of identity theft.  At one time hackers and identity thieves focused their attention on PC users, but as Macs have increased in popularity with the public, so have they increased in popularity with identity thieves who are now exploiting security vulnerabilities in Macs and their software.

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Here is a link to an Apple update with information about the latest security patches and links to installing updated security patches.  If you use Safari, do not delay updating your software’s security.  Here is the link to updating your Safari program.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5671

Here is a link to updating your OSX Mountain Lion program.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5672

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Scam of the day – March 9, 2013 – Important software security updates

March 9, 2013 Posted by Steven Weisman, Esq.

Identity thieves and hackers continuously try to exploit vulnerabilities in software programs that we all use in order to permit them to avoid security features and hack into our computers or perform other misdeeds.  It is critical to update the various software programs that you use as quickly as new patches are issued to address these vulnerabilities.  The delay or failure to do so can be devastating.  I will keep you updated as soon as new updates are issued and also provide links that you can trust to go to the proper places to download the patches.  Google has just issued a patch for its Google Chrome program for Windows, Linux and Macs.  If you use Google Chrome you should download the latest updates that apply to you.  In addition, a number of other companies have also issued security updates that you should install immediately.

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Here is a link from the United States Computer Readiness Emergency Team, which is a part of the Department of Homeland Security with a list of all of the most recent security patches and links to those patches.  You should definitely update those programs that apply to you.

http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/bulletins/SB13-063

 

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Scam of the day – March 1, 2013 – How to protect yourself from the next Facebook hacking

March 1, 2013 Posted by Steven Weisman, Esq.

Many people spend a considerable amount of time on Facebook.  Identity thieves and hackers know this and are focusing their efforts against both Facebook as a company and individual Facebook users, attempting to gather personal information that can be used to make you a victim of identity theft.  Many people have already been victimized by identity thieves and hackers who are able to either gather information from your Facebook account to make you a victim of identity theft or induce you to download keystroke logging malware that steals all of the personal information from your computer including your Social Security number, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, passwords and other information that leads to your becoming a victim of identity theft.

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There is nothing you can do to totally guarantee that you will not become a victim of identity theft, however, there are important and relatively easy steps that you can take to protect yourself from identity theft when using Facebook.  Don’t use your proper name for your account.  Don’t make it easy for an identity thief to see who you are.  Don’t list your real birth date.  This is another piece of information that can be exploited by an identity thief.  Never store your credit card number on Facebook or any other website for convenience.  This also makes it quite convenient for an identity thief to access your credit card if he or she hacks into Facebook or your account there.  Be careful about the amounts of what may appear to you to be innocuous information on your Facebook page.  Some of it can lead to the answers to your security questions on various accounts of yours.  Don’t befriend anyone who asks.  Among those new friends might be identity thieves.  Never click on links or downloads from your “friends” unless you have confirmed that both the message containing the link or download actually came from them as opposed to an hacker who has hijacked their account and  that the material being sent is secure.  Follow these steps and you will put a happy face on your Facebook page.

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Scam of the day – December 2, 2012 – No tech identity theft threats

December 2, 2012 Posted by Steven Weisman, Esq.

Identity theft can be high tech, low tech or no tech.  As we all know it can result from sophisticated computer hacking, but it also can come from as old fashioned a manner as pickpocketing your wallet or stealing your purse in which you may be carrying credit cards, your Social Security card or other identifying information that can be transformed into you becoming a victim of identity theft.  In addition, identity thieves will also go through your trash to find material with information that can make you a victim of identity theft such as old checks, tax records, bank statements or old credit card bills.  Many people do not give enough thought to their vulnerability to identity theft through these no tech methods of stealing your identity although the results can be every bit as devastating as becoming a victim of identity theft through computer malware.

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Particularly now during the holiday shopping season, you should be very aware of the risk of purse snatchers and pickpockets.  Do not carry in your wallet or purse any forms of identification or credit cards that you do not absolutely need to be carrying on that particular day.  Seniors should be particularly aware that they should not carry their Medicare identification card with them because your Medicare identification number is the same as your Social Security number.  A Social Security number is the key to identity theft.  You should safeguard that number.  When disposing of old or no longer needed documentation that has identifying information about you such as old bank statements, medical insurance bills, credit card bills or anything with your Social Security number on it, you should make sure that you shred these documents before disposing of them and make sure that you use a cross shredder because shredders that only shred in one direction do not provide sufficient security.   One directional shredded material can be pieced together to provide an identity thief with information that can result in your becoming a victim of identity theft.

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Scam of the day – September 10, 2012 – Smart Phone Scams

September 10, 2012 Posted by Steven Weisman, Esq.

Although many of us are very cognizant of protecting our computers from the slings and arrows of outrageous hackers and identity thieves many people do not take the same security precautions with our smart phone, tablets and other portable devices.  Many people use these devices for making purchases online, doing online banking and other financial transactions as well as storing sensitive personal information.  If your portable device is hacked, it can lead to a devastating identity theft.

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Protect your portable device with a complex and unique password so that if your device is physically lost or stolen, the information contained in it will be secure.  Also get a good encryption app.  Google Play has many good encryption apps for androids.  The premium form of the app Lookout, which for only $29.99 a year, has a feature that continually scans your other apps for viruses or malware and can also lock your phone remotely or eliminate all of your stored data if your device is lost or stolen.

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Scam of the day – April 29, 2012 -Mobile device hacking

April 29, 2012 Posted by Steven Weisman, Esq.

Mobile device hacking whether it be your smart phone or iPad or other mobile device is turning into the new target of scammers and identity thieves and with good reason.  More and more people are using their mobile devices not just to store important personal information, but also to do financial transactions such as shopping and banking.  Unfortunately we have a perfect storm when it comes to hacking into portable devices.  They contain much information of value to scammers and identity thieves, they are easty to hack into and the owners of portable devices are not taking the steps to secure these devices as much as they would their computers.  Thus more and more people are having their information stolen and becoming victims of identity theft.

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Make the physical security of your mobile device a priority.  Theft of the devices is an easy way to fall victim to identity theft.  Also protect your portable device with hard to guess passwords.  Also use encryption software and make sure that your device is kept up to date with the latest security software patches.  Finally, one of the biggest threats to your security on your portable device comes from downloading malware through corrupted apps.  Only download apps from legitimate sources and only download apps you are sure are safe.  Finally, whenever you download an app, pay attention to the permissions and services that are part of the app agreement and do not give access to transmit data that is not necessary for the operation of the app.

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Scam of the day – April 12, 2012 – Utah Department of Health hacked

April 12, 2012 Posted by Steven Weisman, Esq.

The recent hacking into the personal records of up to 780,000 people from the computer records of the Utah Department of Health which has recently been disclosed highlights a number of important concerns regarding identity theft.  As banks have tightened their security, experienced hackers and identity thieves sucha s the Eastern European hackers that perpetrated the Utah information theft are turning to the weakest links with the most information to gather.  Two of the prime targets which have not been maintaining high security standards are health care providers and credit card processors, such as Global Payments, which was recently hacked.  Remember, you are only as secure as the places that have your information regardless of how much you protect yourself.

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Regularly monitor your credit card and bank account activity to identify any breaches.  Get your free annual credit report from the three major credit reporting agencies, as is your right under federal law and make sure that you check on the credit reports of your children.  Many of the victims of the Utah hacking were children.  Children are particularly vulnerable to identity theft because often the theft does not get recognized until many years have passed, such as when a child applies for financial aid for college.

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