Fraudulent activity is everywhere, but it is possible to protect yourself. Much of the fraud that exists today, is perpetrated through the use of the internet. Unfortunately many people are ill-equipped to deal with the threats that exist, literally everywhere online. Some estimates state that as many as 1 in 10 websites on the internet are infested with some type of spyware/adware/malware or virus, and yet many people surf the internet without any type of protection whatsoever. Either they don’t take the time, or they don’t have the time, to learn about spyware blockers or antivirus and firewall software. However if you use the internet for any reason that might involve sharing your personal or financial information, YOU HAVE TO MAKE TIME TO LEARN.
So what’s different about today’s society? The biggest difference is technology. With wonderful technological inventions like computers and the internet, it has become much more convenient and easy to perform certain tasks in life. (It really wasn’t that long ago that we thought beepers were cool) Things like transferring balances at our bank, paying bills online, applying for credit cards or mortgages online, and even our medical records are going online. Performing business functions, seeking pleasure and entertainment, attending college from home, the list of things that people do on the internet goes on-and-on. Unfortunately with every great invention created by brilliant minds, there always seems to be another crafty criminal that figures out how to exploit it. Criminals have always used innovative methods to cheat honest people out of their hard earned money. And quite frankly, the internet and computers have only made it easier for them to reach into our wallets, even from half way around the globe. An identity thief can be sitting in any country across the world, and as long as he has access to a computer and internet connection, he will easily be able to find many potential identity theft victims through the use of spyware. Things like trojans, worms, viruses and keloggers. If you have not heard of these terms, you could easily become the next victim.
Identity theft is a serious problem, especially in the United States. If a criminal is able to install spyware on to your computer, he will easily be able to gain access to all of your personal information stored on it. Things like your social security number, credit card numbers, bank PIN’s, as well as your address and phone number. Anything that you have ever typed into your computer, or ever will type in the future, will be at his fingertips for the taking. And it will only take him a few minutes to pull it off. Once a criminal has your personal and financial information at hand, he could easily use it to STEAL YOUR IDENTITY. With your stolen identity, he will be able to do just about anything in your name. Things like getting a drivers license, writing bad checks, taking out credit cards, buying expensive items, renting an apartment, applying for a job, or stealing every dime you have. That will not happen if you install antivirus and firewall software along with your spyware blockers software! Antivirus and Firewall Software
