Web Security Tips

The National Consumers League lists the different types of Internet scams. While there are legitimate operators in these sectors, there schemes have been reported as the modus operandi of Internet fraudsters.

• Advance fee loans
• Business opportunities and franchises
• Charity scams
• Credit card loss protection
• Fake check scams
• Information/Adult services
• Investment scams
• Magazine sales
• Nigerian money offers
• Prizes and sweepstakes
• Pyramids and Multilevel marketing
• Travel fraud
• Bogus credit card offers
• Buyers clubs
• Computer equipment and software
• Credit card repair
• General merchandise sales
• Internet access services
• Job scams
• Medicare Rx discount card scams
• Online auctions
• Phishing
• Scholarship scams
• Work-at-home scams

Report Internet fraud through the National Fraud Information Center’s toll-free number 1-800-876-7060.

Here are more tips from the Internet Fraud Watch specifically for identity theft, which is a real concern both online and offline.

• Give your credit card or bank account number only when your are paying a secure site. Do not email credit card numbers.
• Don’t provide your social security number unless it is clear why you need to give it. Ask if you can give an alternate number, whenever possible.
• Beware of impostors who can use fake websites and email addresses, pretending to be from legitimate companies.
• Do not keep sensitive information in your email, as you may not be the only person with access to your inbox.
• Avoid subscription to lists unless you trust the website.
• Ask for your free credit report. You are entitled to one copy every year.

Here are general tips on how to avoid Internet fraud from www.fraud.org. Online as in real life, it is better to be safe than sorry.

• Make sure the seller or charity you are dealing with is reputable and find out how they handle complaints.
• Do not believe promises of “easy money” because they are most likely scams.
• Make sure the details (total cost, refund policy, delivery time) are clear before proceeding to checkout.
• Do not give in to pressure if you feel that you are being forced to make a decision immediately.
• Think twice before giving out personal details, answering unsolicited emails and downloading from an unfamiliar website.
• Pay using safest way possible.
• Read user agreements.

The Fraud Center of the National Consumers League lists the top Internet scams of last year. Fake Check Scams make up 29% of all compaints, making it the most common scam. Second and third are General Merchandise and Auctions, or goods bought online that are misrepresented or not delivered. Although Nigerian Money Offers are only fourth, the average amount lost is the highest at $4,043.14. Other complaints are Lotteries/Lottery Clubs (mainly foreign), Advance Fee Loans, Prizes/Sweepstakes, Phishing (getting personal information), Friendship and Sweetheart Swindles, and Internet Access Services. It is interesting to note that while Friendship and Sweetheart Swindles are only 1% of total complaints, the average amount that is lost is a considerable $3,038.31.

The new Ofcom report notes the continuing rise in media usage of under-55s, especially among the AB and C1 socio-economic classes and 16 to 24 year olds who spend more time online and engaging in more activities than individuals in other demographics groups. One important issue that was highlighted was the concern over identity fraud. Most people say they make checks on a website before entering personal details. ABC1s are cautious but do give out personal information on a new website. C2DEs and senior citizens are said to make fewer informed judgments and generally stay clear of entering personal details and registering on websites.

The Office of Communications in the United Kingdom released the findings of a study on children’s media literacy last week. Here are a few highlights:

Viewership of television shows, films and video on the Internet are increasing among children. Most children say that they “can always find what they are looking for” online. Over half of homes with Internet access have no controls or blocking software as parents believe in their children’s ability to self-regulate their online behavior.

More than half of 12 to 15 year olds with Internet access at home have a social networking profile. About 11% of them use social networking sites to communicate with strangers. Users of social networking sites are not aware of safety and security risks, and feel immune to them. Older girls are more likely to use the Internet for instant messaging and social networking than older boys.

However, a third reported that they are not interested in creating a social networking profile. Around half do not plan to upload and content such as photos, blogs and videos online.

Image by Jim Sneddon

By this time, most active Internet users have a profile on at least one social networking sites. While you can choose your privacy settings and limit the types of personal information that certain contacts can view, there are third-party applications which can access and collect your information. Once you give permission to the developers of these applications to view your personal details, it will not always be possible to find out what they will do with the information and to whom these will be shared, unless the uses are outlined and specified. Think twice before adding that app and keep your sensitive information to a minimum. You never know who’s looking.

To clean up your personal information after accessing the Internet through computers that are not your own, simply delete them. Go to the Tools menu of your Internet browser and select Options for Firefox or Internet Options for Internet Explorer. In IE, click Delete under Browsing History in the General Tab and individually delete temporary Internet files, cookies, history, data and passwords. In Firefox, click on the Privacy icon and select Private Data>Settings. Tick all the boxes and click on Clear Now. Doing this right after using the computer ensures that your information is not stored and cannot be accessed for malicious purposes.

Image under license by EDgAr H.

When your work does not need any link to the internet or office network, you can try disconnecting it by disabling the network card or through some other means. Any Trojans or viruses that aim to steal information cannot defeat hardware constraints such as a pulled network cable. When using remote terminals or accessing the office/home network from a remote location, say the coffee shop, try to maintain the utmost secrecy of all usernames and passwords to prevent identity theft. Install appropriate security software which prevents information from being intercepted and used. Proper security software renders information that is intercepted useless with encryption that is now common among many devices.

The price we have to pay for privacy is great when were talking about getting charged illegally with respect to your credit card due to information leaked from an online transaction. True, many online transactions are protected by security through secure lines and all but there are still some that get through and get on your nerves. Taking control of your personal information involves some physical and computer common sense to accomplish. A computer that is logged on to a network is always an open target as well as a possible source of leaking information, passwords, usernames and confidential files that can be accessed when you leave your desk are all ripe for the picking. Lock-down the terminal/computer when you leave your desk for any length of time.