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Identity Theft Articles
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- Identity Theft getting even worse - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2016 from Robert SicilianoIn 2015, depending on the kind and type of identity theft we are talking about, identity thieves impacted 1.5 million people or more, says the Javelin Strategy & Research report. That’s more than double than for 2014. The move from stripe cards to chip cards has motivated crooks to ...
Views: 788(1 vote) - Carders cashing out on Magstrip Cards - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2016 from Robert SicilianoTwo thousand credit card payment terminals stand to become infected with malware called Trinity point of sales. Ten million credit cards were stolen by hackers, called Fin6, who may end up scoring $400 million. The cards were stolen from retail and hospitality businesses. If each card sells ...
Views: 776 - Don't mess with this Pint Sized Woman - by Submitted on Jun 29, 2016 from Robert SicilianoApril Marchessault got attacked just after midnight inside her bathroom. At 5-1, she wasn’t intimidated by the 5-7, 200 pound man. Edgardo Montes, 47, got his clock thoroughly cleaned. He was charged with breaking and entering and intent to rape, plus other charges. It all began when ...
Views: 776 - Hacking Humans is Painfully Easy - by Submitted on Jun 28, 2016 from Robert SicilianoHackers can take over someone’s life in a matter of hours. Just ask Patsy Walsh. Though she is not a tech savvy person, the grandmother of six did have a Facebook account, and that was all the hackers needed to take over her life. By using methods such as click baiting, the act of ...
Views: 792 - Predators hunting Kids on Gaming Sites - by Submitted on Jun 27, 2016 from Robert SicilianoAs a parent, you may not be crazy about your child spending a lot of time “gaming.” Chances are good that your feelings are fueled by the fact that kids should play outside, be more social, and are getting addicted to tech or maybe the correlation between childhood obesity and excess ...
Views: 739 - Tax Identity Theft jumps on Payroll Scams - by Submitted on Jun 25, 2016 from Robert SicilianoDo you work for a corporation, especially in the U.S.? You may be at risk for tax return fraud. ADP is a payroll provider. Hackers were able to acquire tax information of employees of U.S. Bank from ADP. Now, this doesn’t mean that ADP was directly hacked into. Instead, what happened, ...
Views: 699 - Hacking Cars Getting Easier and More Dangerous - by Submitted on Jun 24, 2016 from Robert SicilianoIf your car is in any way connected to the Internet, it can get hacked into. You know it’s only a matter of time before hackers begin infiltrating motor vehicles in droves, being that vehicles are plagued with hundreds to thousands of security vulnerabilities. This hack is more serious ...
Views: 770 - Technology and Home Security wed - by Submitted on Jun 23, 2016 from Robert SicilianoGone is the day when, while out on a romantic evening with your special someone, you suddenly realize you forgot to turn on your house alarm. You spend the rest of the long evening fretting about this. Nowadays, all you need do is whip out your smartphone and activate the alarm. You can even ...
Views: 807 - Mortgage Scams plague Homeowners and Agents - by Submitted on Jun 22, 2016 from Robert SicilianoThere are things you should know before you purchase your next house—even if you foresee that being years away. Take note of what’s in this article—and keep the notes where you’ll never forget where they are. A hacker could fool you into thinking he’s your agent ...
Views: 758 - Hackers hacking Banks big time - by Submitted on Jun 21, 2016 from Robert Siciliano“Anonymous” is an activist hacking group that has recently boasted that it will engage in 30 days of cyber assaults against “all central banks,” reports an article on cnbc.com. And their bite is as big as their bark, as this announcement came soon after several major ...
Views: 1007 - Phishing Protection 101 - by Submitted on Jun 16, 2016 from Robert SicilianoPhishing-type e-mails are designed to trick the recipient into either downloading a virus (which then gives the hacker remote control of the computer) or revealing enough information for the thief to open credit cards in the victim’s name, get into their bank account, etc. There are ...
Views: 765 - Home Security Cameras 101: the Audio Element - by Submitted on Jun 15, 2016 from Robert SicilianoBefore buying a security camera, ask yourself: Where do you intend on placing it? How well-hidden can/will the unit be? Are you familiar with laws pertaining to surveillance of people without them knowing about it and the associated audio recordings? Laws vary from state to state ...
Views: 780 - Government risks Consumers' Identities - by Submitted on Jun 14, 2016 from Robert SicilianoGuess who may be compromising the security of your Social Security Number. The Social Security Administration! Yep, that’s right. Did you know that 66 percent of the mail the SSA sends out contains someone’s Social Security number? This is what the inspector general of the SSA, ...
Views: 819 - How the FBI hacks You - by Submitted on Jun 10, 2016 from Robert SicilianoIn a recent Wired.com expose’, they expose how the FBI has been secretly hacking civilian computers for about 20 years, but thanks to Rule 41, their ability to hack has been expanded. Nevertheless, effective record keeping for these hacking incidents doesn’t exist. For instance, ...
Views: 820 - Home Security Cameras 101: Filming - by Submitted on Jun 09, 2016 from Robert SicilianoBefore buying a security camera, ask yourself: Where do you want to place it? How well-hidden can it be or does it need to be? Are you familiar with laws pertaining to filming people with or without their knowledge? Where is setting up the camera illegal? Bathrooms, locker rooms, ...
Views: 757 - Business Credit Scores 101 - by Submitted on Jun 08, 2016 from Robert SicilianoAre you a small business? Do you know your business’s credit score? The range is zero to 100 for most credit reporting agencies, with at least 75 being desirable if you want to be approved for financing and trade credit (business loan or line of credit), says a report at nav.com and from ...
Views: 834 - Child Predator screws up, gets caught - by Submitted on Jun 07, 2016 from Robert SicilianoIf you’re a pedophile, you’d be wise not to keep any prescription containers in view of a webcam with your lewd pictures. The information on such a bottle is what helped pedophile Stephen Keating get 110 years in the slammer says a CNN article. But the amazing thing is that the ...
Views: 798 - 10 Ways to Protect your WordPress Site or Blog from Hackers - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2016 from Robert SicilianoAs much as you try, the unfortunate truth is that hackers are going to try to attack and access your WordPress website or blog, whether you like it or not. So, it is up to you to make sure you make the hacker’s job as difficult as possible. Here are some tips: 1. Use Plugins One way to ...
Views: 870 - Ransomware Hackers provide Customer Service Dept. to Victims - by Submitted on May 28, 2016 from Robert SicilianoYes, believe it or not, ransomware has become such a booming business for thieves, that these cyber thugs even provide bona fide customer service departments to guide their victims! When ransomware infects your computer, it holds your files hostage; you can’t access them—until you ...
Views: 672 - Parents legally can spy on their Kids - by Submitted on May 27, 2016 from Robert SicilianoJust because something is legal, does that mean you should do it? In the case of spying on your kids’ phone activities, some say yes. Though the very same mode of operation is illegal in most states when the eavesdropper is your boss or anyone else and you’re the ...
Views: 772 - The TSA confiscated 2,653 Guns in 2015 - by Submitted on May 26, 2016 from Robert SicilianoHow dumb can air travelers be, trying to get guns past the TSA? Duhh, don’t they know that the X-ray equipment or pat-downs will detect them? Just last year, over 2,600 guns were detected. More than 80 percent of these guns were loaded. Talk about the world’s dumbest criminals. It ...
Views: 807 - Hacker for hire a rising Trend - by Submitted on May 25, 2016 from Robert SicilianoHackers and wannabe hackers can easily purchase cheap tools of the trade online. The security firm Dell SecureWorks Inc. confirms this in their latest report and adds that underground markets for hackers, including those from Russia, is thriving. The “Dark Web” is the go-to place ...
Views: 941 - Should you take active Shooter Training? - by Submitted on May 24, 2016 from Robert SicilianoGunman Storms Building, Shot Dead by Receptionist Wouldn’t it be great to see a headline like this for once? More than ever, employees are being trained to react tactically should a gunman go on a rampage. There has to be a better way, for instance, to protect children in a classroom ...
Views: 668 - Don't pick up that USB Drive! - by Submitted on May 20, 2016 from Robert SicilianoWhat a very interesting experiment: Researches randomly deposited 297 USB drives (aka USB stick, flash drive, thumb drive) around the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. They wanted to see just how many, and how soon after dropping them off, they’d be collected by ...
Views: 709 - Remove your Home from Google maps - by Submitted on May 19, 2016 from Robert SicilianoIf it unsettles you to see your home displayed on Google Maps, there’s something you can do about this. Why might this be a concern? Information is “intelligence”. Information to some is power. The logistics of your home may empower certain people, like burglars. Example; if ...
Views: 752 - Never put these Docs in your Wallet - by Submitted on May 17, 2016 from Robert SicilianoYes, believe it or not, you CAN get by in life with a wallet that just has a little cash, a store card or two, one to two credit cards and your ID. Unless you absolutely need your insurance card or Social Security card, leave those items at home. For years now, wallets have been on the market ...
Views: 779 - Woman Drives her Sleeping Assailant to Police Station - by Submitted on May 14, 2016 from Robert SicilianoYou don’t always have to outmuscle a assailant to beat him at his game. This is what a New Zealand woman learned after Vipul Romik Sharma abducted her. At first, things seemed fine; she exited a bar in Otahuhu with the 22-year-old and another man. Then they kidnapped and raped ...
Views: 926 - Google Alert Scams - by Submitted on May 13, 2016 from Robert SicilianoIf you want to know the latest on “any topic”, just sign up for Google Alerts. Google will e-mail you notifications of new information coming online. I have Google Alerts for “Home Invasion” “Identity Theft” “Burglary” “Computer ...
Views: 976 - Beware of the Jury Duty Scam - by Submitted on May 12, 2016 from Robert SicilianoImagine getting a call from someone identifying themselves as a federal court official or U.S. Marshal, informing you that your arrest is imminent unless you pay a cost—all because you failed to respond to a jury summons (which you don’t remember getting). I’d like to think ...
Views: 821 - Beware of the CEO E-mail Scam - by Submitted on May 11, 2016 from Robert SicilianoBeware of the B.E.C. scam, says a report at fbi.gov. The hackers target businesses and are good at getting what they want. The hackers first learn the name of a company’s CEO or other key figure such as the company’s lawyer or a vendor. They then figure out a way to make an ...
Views: 842 - Craigslist Rental Scams in Your Town - by Submitted on May 10, 2016 from Robert SicilianoCraigslist is one of my favorite sites on the Internet, though I admittedly have a love/hate relationship with it. One reason I love it is because of the deals and variety of items and services available, but I hate it because some of the people who use it are scammers and the site has some ...
Views: 645 - Before you die, do This - by Submitted on May 06, 2016 from Robert Siciliano“Nobody likes to do it, but it has to be done.” You’ve heard that before. This time, it applies to 26 documents that you should have all bundled up in a folder that trusted family members have access to (someplace where fire and water won’t damage them). But first ...
Views: 766(1 vote) - You need a Home Security Safe - by Submitted on May 05, 2016 from Robert SicilianoYou don’t have to be wealthy or live in a big house to need a home security safe. If you don’t think you need one, ask yourself why. Ask yourself if you don’t have any valuables—not necessarily something that would be valuable to a burglar, but something very dear and ...
Views: 796 - Celebrate World Password Day in 2016 With These Tips - by Submitted on May 04, 2016 from Robert SicilianoEach year, researchers in security take the time to rate some of the worst passwords found on the Internet. While popular pop culture events have caused waves with the list of the worst passwords of 2015 – think “solo,” “starwars,” and “princess” – ...
Views: 857 - What your Locksmith might not tell You - by Submitted on May 02, 2016 from Robert SicilianoIf your deadbolt has begun to malfunction, and you haven’t been using it because you fear the key will get jammed in it—perhaps it’s time to call a locksmith and have him fix it. Well, not so fast. This is not the way to go if you want to upgrade your door’s ...
Views: 732 - GPS Locator for a Person or Vehicle - by Submitted on Apr 29, 2016 from Robert SicilianoWe live in a time where you can track a car, a driver and even speed by using GPS tracking. This is a technology that is in huge demand, and it is not just because of higher rates of theft; but also due to technological advances and frankly, people “just want to know”. FBI reports ...
Views: 804 - Parents: Do You know your Teen's Social Media Platforms? - by Submitted on Apr 28, 2016 from Robert SicilianoWith all the apps out there that individualize communication preferences among teens, such as limiting “sharing,” parents should still hold their breath. Face it, parents: times have changed. It’s your duty to discuss these applications with your kids. And parents should also ...
Views: 795 - Yes, Macs Can get Malware - by Submitted on Apr 27, 2016 from Robert SicilianoSo Macs can be infected with malware. Who would have ever thought? The malware at issue here is the dreaded ransomware. Ransomware scrambles up your files, and the hacker at the helm says he’ll give you the cyber “key” in exchange for a handsome payment. Ransomware ...
Views: 759 - Why You should file your Tax Return Yesterday - by Submitted on Apr 26, 2016 from Robert SicilianoSomeone else might file your taxes if you don’t get to it. And they won’t be doing it as a favor; they’ll be doing it to steal your identity. Here’s how it works: Cyber thieves send fraudulent e-mails to a business’s employees. The e-mails are designed to ...
Views: 796 - What's the best Antivirus for You? - by Submitted on Apr 25, 2016 from Robert SicilianoThere are so many things to consider when it’s time to purchase antivirus software, but don’t let all the options overwhelm you. Take your time and don’t get too fixated on every little detail. Some systems will definitely conform more to your needs than others. But many people ...
Views: 597 - Posting Kids' Photos online is illegal? - by Submitted on Apr 22, 2016 from Robert SicilianoIn France, anything is possible. Like getting tossed in jail for posting your children’s photos on Facebook. Yes indeed, it’s true. People in France might be put behind bars for putting their kids’ pictures on Facebook. Or, they may face heavy fines. This is because the ...
Views: 747 - Three Quarters of a Billion Records breached - by Submitted on Apr 20, 2016 from Robert SicilianoLast year, says the security firm Gemalto, over 700 million records were breached. Or, to put it another way, this translates to two million stolen or lost records every day. 2015 Breach Level Report 1,673 hacking incidents 398 were triggered from the inside of the attacked company: ...
Views: 727 - Security Appreciation lacking - by Submitted on Apr 19, 2016 from Robert SicilianoWhat’s it gonna take for companies to crack down on their cybersecurity? What’s holding them back? Why do we keep hearing about one company data breach after another? Well, there’s just not enough IT talent going around. The irony is that most company higher-ups admit that ...
Views: 701 - How to safely travel in a Car - by Submitted on Apr 18, 2016 from Robert SicilianoBefore embarking on a road trip with a car full of kids, make sure everything about the vehicle is in top working condition, including the windshield wipers, A/C, heat, fluid levels, seatbelts and lights (exterior and interior). Hopefully you’ll have a GPS; make sure that works, too; ...
Views: 800 - Preplan for a Safe Vacation - by Submitted on Apr 15, 2016 from Robert SicilianoTraveling is fun, exciting, tiring and depending on your destination, generally safe. But bad things can happen. The best thing you can do before you go, is prepare. Safety Tips Blend in on your vacation. Before you leave for your trip, plan out your arrival. Dress like the locals. ...
Views: 802 - I want a Cell Phone Jammer - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2016 from Robert SicilianoWell, we certainly can’t blame Dennis Nicholl for breaking the law. Frankly, had I been nearby him when he did it, I would have kept silent and let him continue breaking the law—unless, of course, I was engaged in some loud, planet-moving discussion with a world leader. Nicholl, ...
Views: 812 - Look out for Shipping E-mail Phishing Scams - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2016 from Robert SicilianoStop clicking on e-mails about your package delivery! Scam, scam, scam! Look, it’s simple: Scammers are also pretending to be from the DHL and FedEx shipping companies, not just UPS. Crooks know that at any given time, thousands and thousands of U.S. people are waiting for a package ...
Views: 778 - Shred your Boarding Pass - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2016 from Robert SicilianoApparently there are people who take pictures of their airplane boarding pass…and post it online. I’m dead serious. I’ve heard of toddlers getting excited over scraps of paper, but full-grown adults posting images of their boarding pass online? Don’t get me ...
Views: 747 - IRS Identity Theft Prevention Tool hacked - by Submitted on Apr 11, 2016 from Robert SicilianoThe Identity Protection PIN tool on the IRS.gov site has been temporarily suspended—because it was recently hacked into. The tool provides retrieval of forgotten or lost IP PINs to users who want an extra layer of protection against identity theft. But some users who received the IP ...
Views: 747 - How Parents can de-motivate Sexting in their Teens - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2016 from Robert SicilianoWhatever the appeal of sexting is to kids (attention), it’s definitely there, and won’t be going away too soon. Of all the things that teens can do in their daily lives, why spend time sexting? To feel cool To get a crush’s attention To make a relationship seem more ...
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