Electronic Countermeasures

Protect Your Computer.

Most online identity theft takes place at home, when thieves access vulnerable consumers’ computers. Today nearly everyone keeps sensitive information on their home computer; whether you use a financial management program, pay your bills electronically, or simply make purchases online, your valuable information is first going into your system, and then being sent out across the Internet. Though encryption technology can protect the data as it moves outward and reputable Web sites can guarantee the safety of your information once they receive it, the home computer—the one site where all of that valuable data is stored—is all too often left unprotected.

Strong Malware Protection

According to computer security experts, production of malicious software is nearly equal in volume to that of legitimate programs. Malware (short for malicious software) are programs designed to break into computer systems surreptitiously, without the owner’s knowledge. The term includes viruses, adware, and spyware among other things, but they all share one common trait: they force your computer to do things you don’t want it to do. And, more often than not, they send vital data to the malicious user who infected you with the program, thus exposing valuable information to people who will abuse it.

Strong protection against malware is your first line of electronic defense, and there are many choices available. The best of them feature multiple lines of defense in addition to standard anti-virus functions, including email scanners, Web site blockers, and background file scanners that monitor any file you are working with for suspicious activity.

Effective Password Protection

Most consumers don’t dedicate enough effort to creating their passwords—they use the same password for all their Internet activity, or choose passwords that are too easily cracked. The best passwords are random strings of characters, utilizing both upper-and lowercase letters combined with numbers. However, as random character strings are difficult to remember, here are some tips for creating passwords that you can still remember that utilize effective ciphers:

• Make sure the password is at least six characters long
• Mix numbers with letters of different cases: for example, “rEcl22use” instead of “recluse”
• Change your passwords regularly

Above all, don’t store your passwords on your computer. Keep track of them all on paper instead, and you won’t have to worry about one compromised file giving away all of your valuable data.

Downloading Protective Patches

Computer users must keep abreast of system security issues and the periodic updates (patches) released to repair them. According to IBM, operating system vulnerabilities were up 36% in the first half of 2010, most of them in the most popular operating systems and programs on the market.

The downside of manufacturer-supplied patches is the frequent delay in their release—55% of known software vulnerabilities remain unpatched, according to IBM, pointing again to the importance of maintaining the other countermeasures mentioned above. Still, once these patches reach the market, they do help to solve existing security problems, and represent a major weapon for combating information thieves.

Who To Trust Online

Phishing defines the process by which criminals send out fake emails or instant messages that look like those issued by official sources—banks, online shopping outlets, etc. However, the fake messages instead link to malicious Web sites, or ask for personal information you might be willing to give to the source being spoofed. Many of these messages look exactly like they came from the faked source, and discerning between a real communication and a fake one can be difficult.

The solution is quite easy, though. Do not trust anyone who emails you asking for personal information. Never send anything they ask for; if you think the message might be legitimate, visit the official Web site (not by clicking any links in the questionable email, but manually) and examine your account. Then, once you are sure of a secure connection, you can take action if need be.

Effective Data Storage

The absolute best defense for your data is to remove it from harm’s way altogether, storing it on a removable drive or CD. This method requires a little extra work, but nothing is more effective at restricting access to your data.