Protecting Yourself From Online Computer Virus Attack and Personal Identity Credit Card Data Hacking

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Can Internet Security Software Alone Prevent Identity Theft? - Change IP For Full Protection
By Andrew Virender

Identity theft is a very vicious and life altering crime. It is the fastest growing and biggest crime in America surpassing even drug trade. Identity theft intrusions can come from a variety of sources and places where you hang out on the internet. Even some of our favorite sites like Face Book and My Space are not scam proof and you can very easily lose your personal information on the internet in a variety of ways.


The dangers of identity theft are accentuated with rapid growth of wireless communications such as the Wi-Fi. What once appeared to be a harmless and time efficient activity, browsing the net or checking your email in your favorite book store, library, coffee shop or in hotels while on travel has turned out to be extremely dangerous because you can very easily lose your personal information. There are countless identity thieves with wireless snifters around these places trying to get your credit card number, social security number, any identifying information and even the IP address of your computer.

However, due to extensive coverage in the media most people are now getting serious about preventing Identity Theft. Most, computers come with one of the many Internet Security Software available in the market place today. What started as software to protect computers from viruses has grown into very elaborate and complex suite of security features. These days top Internet security software come with features that stop viruses, spy ware and computer hacking attempts; set parental controls and even alert you of phishing attempts. They come with parental controls, advanced firewall options and even network monitoring for wireless networks. Some of them even have tools to clean up accumulated unwanted files and clutter and cookies from the internet, erase traces of personal information and surfing history. Some of the latest features introduced in top internet security software now include some form of Identity Theft Protection measures such as password protection and authentication of trusted sites.

Are these measures enough and fool proof? Certainly not. It is a long way from a total secure environment. There are two things that come in the way. Browser security and router security. It is important to keep your computer updated with latest updates and security patches of its operating system (mostly Windows) and browser (Internet explorer and others). Both of these concerns are being addressed better than in the past but still pose a great deal of vulnerability. Hackers have the ability to find vulnerabilities and can beat firewalls. So it is far from a secure system.

The second point of vulnerability is the router security in a networked computer. But it is also one of the most overlooked and perhaps the best methods of protecting your computer from intrusion and your self against identity theft on the internet.

It is the router which assigns an IP address to the computer linked to the net. IP address is a unique identifying numerical tag for each computer device linked to a network or the internet. It is this address that gets logged on and identified whenever you are connected to the internet. Your browsing history at your ISP (Internet Service Provider) can trace all your internet activity. You can use the router to change your IP and you can make the connection secure by built in encryption capabilities of the router.

However, topping all these security measures is the introduction of IP Changer software that rapidly change IP by using a number of proxy servers at many different locations. By routing your internet connection through these anonymous proxies, the sites you visit will get one of many IP addresses other than your own, thus hiding your real IP address from potential hackers and identity thieves. These software and anonymous proxies have become very efficient and send your data in encrypted form without noticeable drop in internet connection performance. Thus Rapid IP change with the help of the new IP changer software allow you anonymous surfing that in combination with data encryption and most advanced Internet Security Software suites provide the most comprehensive shield against Identity Theft as of now.

It is remarkable how a simple idea to Change IP and well established encryption technology can bring us a safer and more secure internet connectivity and protect us against Identity Theft more comprehensively than the best Internet Security software alone.

Having this empowering information on how to protect your self from devastating effects of Identity Theft on the internet please go to http://www.change-ip-proxy.com for more elaborate information how to rapidly [http://www.change-ip-proxy.com/]Change IP to surf anonymously and protect your identity. You can also try this IP changer software for free.



Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Can-Internet-Security-Software-Alone-Prevent-Identity-Theft?---Change-IP-For-Full-Protection&id=3760022] Can Internet Security Software Alone Prevent Identity Theft? - Change IP For Full Protection

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selected tips to prevent identity theft

Tips To Reduce Your Exposure And Prevent Identity Theft
By G.L. Bycz

Identity theft is the country's fastest-growing financial crime. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that 27.3 million Americans have been victims of identity theft in the past 5 years, including 9.9 million people last year alone. Some ways to prevent becoming a victim could include avoid using credit cards or debit cards, stop filling out more credit applications, and cancel all of your credit cards. But the fact is that most exposure to identity theft is beyond your control, because there is still enough information about you and your finances floating around out there for identity thieves to put their hands on. Here are some tips to reduce your exposure and prevent identity theft:


1 - Make It As Difficult As Possible For The Thief.

Most Identity thieves aren't dedicated, but opportunistic creatures. If they come across any difficulty in getting your information, they will move on to the next potential victim. Keep your documents under lock and key. Don't make it easy for a repairman or a guest in your house to walk off with your checkbook or some of your important files. Don't fool yourself, you don't have to be rich or have a high credit score to have your identity stolen. Some identity thieves say that middle-class folks make the best targets, because they pay less attention to their finances than wealthy individuals.

2- Monitor Your Credit Report Constantly.

The first hint that you might have become a victim is a suspicious entry on your credit report. Experts recommend that you review your credit report twice a year or more.

3 - Buy a Paper Shredder.

Papers and documents that include personal financial information or your social security number must be shredded before is sent to the trash.

4 - Ask About Business Shredding Policies.

When required to give personal financial information, ask if the business has a shredding policy in place. Financial institutions, tax preparers, and companies with medical information should all be able to shred copies of your documents or have you come and pick them up, so you can do it yourself.

5 - Don't Give Out Your Social Security Number.

Only Employers, IRS, DMV, Social Security Administration and certain Financial Institutions and Insurers that use your SSN to run credit checks to determine your premiums should be allowed to have this nine-digit number. When asked for your SSN as proof that you are who you say you are, give them only the last four digits.

6 - Protect Your Incoming and Outgoing Mail.

Get a Locking Mailbox. Many identity thieves simply follow the mail man around and grab what they can from unprotected mailboxes. Consider using the nearest post office to send all your mail, rather than leaving it out where anyone can take it. Or sign up for a secure online bill-paying service.

7 - Always Keep an Eye on Your Debit Card.

Just like a credit card, your ATM card can be used without punching in a personal identification number. The banks won't hold you responsible for fraud using VISA or MasterCard logo cards but a thief can quickly empty your bank account and could be days until the bank can restore the stolen cash. Use a credit card when paying a restaurant bill or anywhere you won't be able to monitor the actual transaction.

8 - Be Wary of Phone Solicitors and E-mails.

Don't give out sensitive information by phone or email to requests purporting to be from financial institutions, unless you initiated contact or really thrust the institution. Criminals are using a technique called "phishing," which uses an email claiming to be from your Bank and that redirects you to a look-alike website where you are asked to input your account numbers. When contacted this way, do not reply to the email and only call the Bank's 1-800 number from your statement for communication.

9 - Monitor Your Social Security Statements.

Make sure you are being credited for all the taxes you have paid into the system. Missing earnings or earnings that are not yours can be an indication of fraud. Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 if there are any discrepancies.

10 - Carry Only the Necessary in Your Wallet.

Do not carry your Social Security Number in your wallet and only a few credit and debit cards should be in it. In case you have your wallet stolen, grab your cell or the nearest phone immediately and call to cancel your most important credit cards such as 1-800-VISA911 and 1-800-MASTERCARD. Also, make a photocopy of all your cards and your driver's license. This will make it easier to report the thefts and get them replaced.



G. L. Bycz is the founder and developer of http://www.consolidate-credit-card.net an online source for free tips and information on credit card debt consolidation, refinancing loans, debt management programs and financial planning.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Tips-To-Reduce-Your-Exposure-And-Prevent-Identity-Theft&id=231691] 10 Tips To Reduce Your Exposure And Prevent Identity Theft

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Two things to bear in Mind while we talk about Protecting yourself Online in order to Prevent Online Identity Theft and being Victim of Cyber-Criminals:

A. Keep in mind that antivirus software protects only your device, not your internet connection. It’s only Secured and Protected Virtual Private Network, VPN can securely protect your internet connection communications between your computer device, servers and websites.

B. A VPN is a must-have utility to protect your privacy and prevent hackers and snoopers from stealing your personal information.