Virus And Internet Security Protection - Identity Theft Happened To Me! by Sue Krippner
How Do I know? Because identity theft happened to me! I'm writing this article to help you get a grip on how insidious this crime really is and how important virus and internet security protection is to you and your family.
Now, if you knew me (mother of 4 grandmother of 8) you would know that I am an intelligent, talented, (High School teacher) and educated woman. I am not stupid, foolish or ignorant so when I say there is a huge probability that a virus can destroy your harddrive or identity theft can happen to you - especially if you are not caught up to what has been happening on the internet...you may be the next victim!! Believe me when I say - You need internet security protection.
Why - because it happend to me!
In this article you will learn: The difference between a burglary and a robbery - and why it makes a difference in law enforcement and how it relates to virus prevention and internet security protection.
How internet thieves get into your computer. What they can do with the information they steal. How internet identity theft can mess up your life. What you can do to protect yourself.
So, let's start by defining the difference between a "burglary and a robbery."
A burglar is someone who breaks into your personal world, be it a house, car, motor home, locker etc. but, does not use violence to accomplish this dirty deed. No gun, knives or weapon of any sort has been used against you or any one in the vicinity. It other words, these are the guys that take your stuff when you are out running errands or vacationing.
A Robber, however is someone who will not hesitate to use violent means to get whatever he wants.
Remember in the movie Home Alone starring McCally Caulkin...he was, by accident, left on his own while his parents and siblings were off on a Christmas vacation? The movie is funny but the bumbling idiots stalking the place expecting to break in and grab - suddenly escalated things into a robbery situation when they discovered the kid inside.
Why is this definition important?
Primarily - Police officers treat their response time differently due to the fact that no one is being threatened or physically harmed.
3 Years ago, after running errands for less than 2 hours...I returned to my new home, in my new neighborhood to find the place ransacked! Everything gone - electronics, DVD's, heirloom jewelry, loose change, even my bed spread they used to drag the stuff out with. I couldn't understand why my frantic call to the police was greeted with a sluggish -"Ma'am we will place your call on the waiting list - You see, there are more serious situations our officers need to attend to." 9 hours later they show up at my door step with a 2 reason explanation for their delay.
What were those reasons?
1. I had moved into an area so saturated with crime they couldn't keep up (thanks realtor).
2. I was in no physical threat.
And so it goes with identity theft and internet security...unless you are a big multi-million dollar corporation in which ton's of personal information has been dowloaded and lost there is limited concern and energy directed toward virus infections and identity theft by way of the internet super highway.
Why? There was no physical threat and because internet identity theft it is growing at such an enormous pace the authorities are having a difficult time keeping up in this area of security protection.
Combine these 2 facts with how savvy and hi-tech these internet identity thieves are - it's like choosing to walk down a dark and lonely alley every time you use your computer to access the super highway.
Jim Doyle a recognized expert on internet security protection says: "The likelihood of becoming a victim of virus inflitration and identity theft via an online attack is growing as hackers are becoming more and more persistent and difficult to stop."
Not only are they getting smarter - as the World Wide Internet Web expands - so does their reach. 10 years ago few families had computers in their homes with even fewer seeing a need for virus and internet security protection but...today the computer is a fixture in almost everyone's home and an important world conection tool in our culture. The more we search, shop, and download on the internet, especially without sufficient virus and security protection -the more information they can access.
How do they do this?
By latching on like a big fat parasite like virus tick to your most innocent internet activities such as:
Sharing a website. Sending an Email attachment. Hiding code in "free" software you download. Masking code behind images/pictures in a web page you are visiting. Tracking the information you enter when making puchases through the internet.
And as in my case, I didn't understand that having one form of virus and security protection may not be enough. By not understanding that different internet computer habits may require more than one unique security protection program my computer was not only hacked it was smacked down with a fatal virus! Call it security protection lesson 101!
Now, let's spend some time discussing the current types of virus infestations on the internet today.
Here are the top 6 covert hacker tools that threaten your internet security:
Internet Security Threat 1. The Virus - this little guy is basically a computer prank - more popular in the 80's but not too long ago I had one introduced to my computer. It gets into your system and can make it do spastic things like make music, strange noises or freeze your computer.
Internet Security Threat 2. The Worm - This thing just eats and destroys like something from a sci-fi horror movie. Get one of these in your system - it's gonna slow down your hard drive and probably cost ya to repair it.
Internet Security Threat 3: Trojan Horse - Designed to open up the security doors of your computer to let the flies in. Not known for damaging your computer - just accessing.
Internet Security Threat 4: Spyware - We've all heard of this one - this chick is created to gather information about how you surf the internet - then that information, is sold to marketers and advertisers..there is huge money in this.
Internet Security Threat 5: Adware - Similar to Spyware in that it also tracks your personal information but delivers it to a much boarder information base...ever wonder where all that junk email comes from?
Internet Security Threat 6: The Big Dog Of them all is known as the KEY STROKE MONITOR - this guy is a bully in the worst way. It's designed specifically to track banking, credit card transactions, and seek out passwords for one purpose only - to steal and use your personal valuable information.
Then, you also have the more overt virus installers and cyber thieves - these are the ones that compromise your internet security with phishing scams like "You've won the Lottery" or "For Security Reasons validate your Id Now" But that's a topic for another article.
So here's my insufficient internet security protection story: Each morning after I grab that first cup of fresh java I do three things religiously. Check my emails, stock standings, and the ol' bank account.
Well not too long ago, after smiling at the first two and watching the pretty finch that just landed on my deck, I casually type in my Id security password, scroll down my bank accounts and...
WHAT THE HECK!?
A substantial amount of money has been transferred to a "CD" without any initiation from me! My phone was smoking as I'm dialing - frantically I get on the phone with the bank representative - and she informs me that as we are speaking - another amount is being moved.
This was identity theft - live and in person.
The transfer of money is just one example of what can be done once a person's identification has been stolen - they can also go on spending sprees using your identity. Open credit card accounts and destroy your credit. Buy Cars - yes, they can and have. Set up phone and wireless accounts in your name. Get loans and even mortgages. Leave behind a virus that will crash your hard drive out of spite. Oh, and let's not forget...
Drain Your Bank Account!
I was lucky - my obsessive habit caught the theft before my money was untraceable. Just as a side note - though the bank could track the transfer to a "little old ladies" inactive account in Florida - they informed me that to track the perpatrator was "impossible". Which takes me back to the original point of this article - to inform and warn about the importance of virus prevention and internet security protection to guard against identity theft.
If you have not taken defensive action with your computer in respect to virus and security protection specifically as it relates to your internet use then assuredly - YOU ARE WALKING ON AN IDENTITY THEFT TIGHT ROPE! Remember, to assume "Buy one I buy them all" security protection product is a grave misnomer. I'll be discussing this in further articles but to find out more now about how important it is to identify your personal internet habits visit: http:virusfreeyourpc.com.
Having my identity stolen to transfer money was bad enough but I also had to clean up the mess to protect myself from further security and virus assaults. Research reveals the average time it takes to repair the damage done by internet identity theft is approximately 330 hours of tracking transactions, canceling credit cards, monitoring and stopping strange charges, closing old internet accounts and creating new log in passwords.
The reporting process also includes notifying the Social Security office and all credit reporting companies in order to alert them to further possible fraud and security abuses. In other words - to be caught without sufficient virus and security protection - really takes a toll on a person's time and stress levels. Believe me - I know!
So Now - Let's get to the Good Stuff - Solutions and Protection 101 for the prevention of virus inflitration and security protection on the internet. Or, in other words - "What I Learned after the Fact"
Virus and Internet Security Guideline 1. NEVER us cyber cafe's or local hotspots to do important internet business. NEVER! It's like leaving your door wide open when you go on vacation. Open invitation for identity theft.
Virus and Internet Security Guideline 2. To assure virus protection use An Internet Firewall - most computer manufacturers take this problem seriously and provide a free limited version of some sort of interent security firewall -- this is a good start - but not enough protection.
Virus and Internet Security Guideline 3. Keep your computer updated - also a limited cautionary strategy but keep in mind the older the system the easier the hacking
Virus and Internet Security Protection Guildeline 4. Invest in an Anti Virus software product...more specifically match the product to your use habits. One size does not fit all when it comes to computer virus protection. For example, if you shop a lot on the internet consider internet security software that is designed specifically for shoppers. Other examples of software complimenting your use: gaming, information, music and video downloads all require a different type of virus protection.
Virus and Internet Security Guideline 5. Protect your children from not so much identity theft as it is inocence theft - this can't be emphasized enough with the porn being a $12 billion industry in the United States alone. Out of that $12 Billion, $3 Billion is generated specifically through child porn - Porn predators spend millions on recruiting campaigns targeting children by using sleazy hidden hacker type systems and weaving their way into internet social networking sites like MySpace and Face Book. For more alarming/alerting information visit: http://virusfreeyourpc.com/children.html
The benefits we derive and the entertainment we enjoy from our computers and the internet has insured its value for years to come. Sadly, there will always be a need for internet security and virus protection because of the scum bags that will take advantage and exploit everyone they can.
Bottom line - Without Internet Security and Virus Protection - You may Survive - But The Odds Are Stacked Against You. Some of my problems with virus and internet security protection came specifically from lack of information. But, at some level I treated this ever rising threat of compromised security protection with a laze faire attitude. I chose to ignore much of what I had been seeing about the dangers of the internet and its related security issues. As a consequence not only did I become a victim of identity theft - a virus was introduced into my hard drive which caused my computer to CRASH and need extensive professional repairs. I lost much of my stored files - including my pictures to Italy that can never be replaced.
I thought I had sufficient virus and internet protection but this experience exposed this assumption to be false and forced me to take another look at internet security and the steps I needed to take to achieve maximum computer security protection.
Go to http://virusfreeyourpc.com to learn more about unique internet security and virus protection.
I guess in some ways I have taken on a mission. The more I educated myself about internet based virus and identity theft - the more I understand just how extensivley its danger and damage is moving through not only our country but around the world.
I believe Internet virus and Security protection is more important today than any other security system you have in place. Identity theft can have far reaching effects that can take years to repair. Our best defensive against this soaring crime is knowledge. Understanding its risks and the unique choices to be made about internet virus and security protection is the first step.
We must do all we can to stop identity theft. Keep the hackers out of your cyber space. Protect your financial assets with user specific security protection. Protect your children from internet predators that never sleep.
I don't want to be the one to say "I Told You So!"
