Cyberthieves Want Your Identity
By: Carole Fleck; Source: AARP Bulletin Date Posted: 2006-08-08 12:04:00-04:00
Thieves you cannot see may be snooping through your personal information with one goal in mind: to steal your identity through your Internet use.
Every time you download free computer programs, games, music or screen savers on the Internet, or visit certain websites, there's the risk of spyware coming along for the ride and infecting your computer.
Spyware is any program that monitors your activity on the Internet without your knowledge and transmits that information to someone else. According to an AARP Public Policy Institute report that was released in May, cyberthieves are using spyware more and more to steal identities.
"We can expect spyware to continue proliferating because it is so lucrative for criminals," says AARP's Neal Walters. "You have to be careful."
Some tips to protect yourself:
- Do not download programs you're not familiar with.
- Do not open e-mail or attachments if you don't know the sender.
- The Consumers Union suggests placing a security freeze on your credit report and credit score, information businesses seek before they will issue new credit. A freeze prevents identity theft by blocking access to the reports — but you are able to open your report with a PIN or a password. One caveat: Only 23 states currently allow consumers to put freezes on their reports.
Additional Related Links
Scam Alert: Automated Thievery
Spyware and Identity Theft
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