General

Identity Theft and Internet Scams

October 12, 2021 /

So last week we saw some figures that show cybercrime rising every year, and in some cases even doubling. You might ask, “Well, what does this have to do with me personally?” Because much of this activity is focused on getting your personal information, the possibility of having your identity stolen is very real.

Seriously though, having your identity stolen is a painful event that can cause you a lot of headaches. The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency suggests following these guidelines to help prevent this from happening:

STAY PROTECTED WHILE CONNECTED: The bottom line is that whenever you’re online, you’re vulnerable. If devices on your network are compromised for any reason, or if hackers break through an encrypted firewall, someone could be eavesdropping on you—even in your own home on encrypted Wi-Fi.

  • Practice safe web surfing wherever you are by checking for the “green lock” or padlock icon in your browser bar—this signifies a secure connection.
  • When you find yourself out in the great “wild Wi-Fi West,” avoid free Internet access with no encryption.
  • If you do use an unsecured public access point, practice good Internet hygiene by avoiding sensitive activities (e.g., banking) that require passwords or credit cards. Your personal hotspot is often a safer alternative to free Wi-Fi.
  • Don’t reveal personally identifiable information such as your bank account number, SSN, or date of birth to unknown sources.
  • Type website URLs directly into the address bar instead of clicking on links or cutting and pasting from the email.

DOUBLE YOUR LOGIN PROTECTION. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to ensure that the only person who has access to your account is you. Use it for email, banking, social media, and any other service that requires logging in. If MFA is an option, enable it by using a trusted mobile device, such as your smartphone or an authenticator app.

SHAKE UP YOUR PASSWORD PROTOCOL. According to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidance, you should consider using the longest password or passphrase permissible. Get creative and customize your standard password for different sites, which can prevent cyber criminals from gaining access to these accounts and protect you in the event of a breach. Use password managers such as LastPass or 1Passwordto generate and remember different, complex passwords for each of your accounts.

DON’T FALL FOR INTERNET SCAMS. While it’s easy to make fun of some of the more common scams out here (Nigerian prince scam, anyone?), some scammers are very clever. A few of the more recent scams out there are:

  • COVID-19 SCAMS take the form of emails with malicious attachments or links to fraudulent websites to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or donating to fraudulent charities or causes. Exercise caution in handling any email with a COVID-19-related subject line, attachment, or hyperlink, and be wary of social media pleas, texts, or calls related to COVID-19.
  • IMPOSTER SCAMS occur when you receive an email or call from a person claiming to be a government official, family member, or friend requesting personal or financial information. For example, an imposter may contact you from the Social Security Administration informing you that your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended, in hopes you will reveal your SSN or pay to have it reactivated.
  • COVID-19 ECONOMIC PAYMENTS SCAMS target Americans’ stimulus payments. CISA urges all Americans to be on the lookout for criminal fraud related to COVID-19 economic impact payments—particularly fraud using coronavirus lures to steal personal and financial information, as well as the economic impact payments themselves—and for adversaries seeking to disrupt payment efforts.

Remember, scammers want you to act quickly without thinking too much about what you are doing. They appeal to human greed, a sense of urgency, and your tendency to obey your authorities.

  • If something is too good to be true, it’s not true. No one is giving away large sums of money just because.
  • If something seems urgent, examine it carefully and verify it. Don’t be stampeded into sudden action.

While obeying your authorities is a good thing, make sure that any request you answer comes through the correct channels. For example, the IRS will never call you and ask you to do something. Their protocol is to always send written communication to you. If you get a request about something in an odd manner from someone in charge, contact the requester and ask about what is going on.

Posted By: Bob Landon – IT Services