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Society > Crime > Identity Theft > Preventing Identity Theft > Preventing Online Identity Theft
Preventing Online Identity Theft
Submitted 2005-12-07 09:18:55 by psiolent
Rating: 0 (0 votes) | 704 Views
Section: Preventing Identity Theft
Proofpoint has released its Five Golden Rules of Holiday Identity Theft Prevention. These rules are "designed to protect consumers, who are especially vulnerable to phishing and pharming attacks during the holidays due to their increased use of email and the Internet."
The rules:
1. Be aware: Consumers should view any email with urgent requests for personal identifying information, personal financial information, user names or passwords with suspicion. Your bank, online services or legitimate e-commerce sites are unlikely to ask you for this type of information via email. Consumers should also be wary of similar emails that look like they come from their employer. Never send personal financial information or sensitive information such as social security numbers via email.
2. Don't click: If you receive a suspicious email, don't click the links in that email to visit the Web site in question. These links may take you to a fraudulent site that looks similar or identical, but is designed to steal your personal information. Instead, open a browser and type the actual Web address (e.g., http://www.ebay.com) for the site into the address bar. Alternatively, call the company using a phone number you already know. Likewise, never click on a file attachment unless it's from a completely trusted source.
3. Be secure: When you are shopping online, entering important information such as credit card numbers, or updating personal information, make sure you're using a secure Web site. If you are on a secure Web server, the Web address will begin with "https://" instead of the usual "http://". Most Web browsers also show an icon (such as Internet Explorer's "padlock" icon) to indicate that the page you are viewing is secure.
4. Don't fill out email forms: Never fill out forms within an email, especially those asking for personal information. Instead, visit the company's actual Web site and ensure that the page you are using is secure before entering sensitive information.
5. Keep an eye on your accounts: Check the accuracy of your credit card and bank statements on a regular basis, especially during this busy holiday season. If you see anything suspicious, contact the financial institution immediately. |
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