Sure Ways of Preventing Identity Theft

12 Sure Ways of Preventing Identity Theft
By Ashif Rashid and Rashid Ace

Identity theft is one of the worst crimes happening all over the world. Thieves take over someone else's identity for some time in order to steal their money or use their credit cards.

Following a few simple tips for identity theft prevention is the best way to avoid becoming a victim of this crime. If we think of the security measures being taken to protect our Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, and other vital information, it is quite alarming that criminals are still able to obtain this information and use it to steal from us!

Here are 12 solid ways of preventing identity theft:

Be smart online: Use encrypted or secure servers whenever you go online. Do not transact business with unknown websites. Do not open files sent to you by strangers. Make sure your virus database is regularly updated. Use firewall programs to block spyware and malicious advertisements from pop-ups on untrusted websites.

Choose your passwords wisely: Thieves can easily determine your passwords, especially for your online accounts. Avoid using birthdays, social security numbers or phone numbers in your password. Make sure your password is difficult to determine, use a combination of letters (upper and lower case) and numbers that only you will be able to make sense and remember.

Keep your records and personal papers in a safe place: Thieves can get into your home, and if they find your personal papers like loan applications, birth certificate etc., they can use these information to steal anything from you. Make sure these documents are in a safety deposit box where only you know its location. Or, place these in a safety deposit box in a bank.

Never give financial details over the phone: The usual strategy is for an identity thief to pose as a charitable foundation, or a telemarketer for some online store or TV shop, and then they ask for your credit card information. If you give them your details, then you can kiss your credit line and history goodbye. This is the most common way criminals steal your identity.

Learn to use credit cards properly: Do not sign the back of your credit card. If possible, always have a photo laminated into your credit card so that a thief cannot use it. Also, do not use your credit card in establishments like restaurants, where your card will be out of your sight. Do not give out any details regarding your credit card.

Photocopy both sides of your wallet's contents: Make sure that you have a photocopy of all contents of your wallet. If your wallet is stolen, you can easily report it to the proper authorities. This idea is the most overlooked and ignored but, it can save you a great deal of time and aggravation. Make sure you report the theft to the proper companies, (e.g. Social Security, credit card company etc.) as soon as possible to prevent the thieves from using your personals.

Store your PINs in a safe place: It is difficult to memorize the PINs of your ATM cards, credit cards, and debit cards. It will save you a lot of trouble if you store your PINs in a safe place that is away from your plastic cards. If a thief steals your plastic card, he will not be able to use it after a few unsuccessful attempts at your PIN, as the system will lock your card. It may be an inconvenience for you as well, but that will prevent your money from being stolen.

Put a lock on your home mailbox: If the mailbox you keep is readily accessible by anyone, better buy a lock. One root cause of identity theft is that strangers steal your mail, gather as much information as they can on you, then pose as you when doing transactions to get valuable things you own.

Rent a mail box from the post office: If you do not have a mailbox at home, or you are often away on trips, rent a PO Box from the local post office. Always have your mails addressed to your PO Box address to prevent others from having access to your mail. Deposit your outgoing mail to your PO Box. Also, request a vacation hold from the Post Office for your mail if you will be away for more than 2 days. This one precaution can help you a great deal in identity theft protection.

Opt for a private phone number: It pays to have your own private number. You will only get calls from people you know and choose to have your number. Make sure that you give your number only to trustworthy people. This will minimize telemarketers and other fraud artists from calling you and possibly stealing your identity.

Get credit card report annually: It is always a good move to have a monthly report regarding your credit card. You will never know what purchases may pop up on your bill. Call the following major credit bureaus to have your credit report (you are allowed one free report per year).

Have a good paper shredder: Make sure you have access to a powerful paper shredder, usually the crosscut type. Pre-filled charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, checks and bank statements, expired charge cards that you're discarding and mail credit offers should be immediately shredded, NOT TORN TO PIECES, when they will be discarded.
You can prevent identity theft easily if you keep the above things in mind.

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?12-Sure-Ways-of-Preventing-Identity-Theft&id=3172883] 12 Sure Ways of Preventing Identity Theft

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Avast Mobile Security among top best android security mobile app

The Android Apps phenomenon has gained momentum with many useful apps. Today people are addictive to these apps and in fact, they are using these apps for many important tasks in their day to day life. These useful apps have covered almost all the important parts of the virtual world to make the life of the common man easy. There are millions of apps available to fit your requirements, let's discuss some of these useful apps here.

Best Android Security App
Avast Mobile Security: With more than 100 million installs this Android anti-malware program offers extended services like a call blocker, app locker, privacy advisor, firewall and lot more. It also provides features like RAM booster, junk cleaner, Wi-Fi scanner etc. It secures your devices against malicious websites, links, emails, phone calls, SMSs etc. It also provides alerts for spyware and adware apps. This anti-virus engine provides complete a web shield against all possible threats.

Best File Manager App
File Manager (File Transfer): This app is offered by Cheetah Mobile and has more 50 million downloads. This fully featured file management tool offers extensive services to users like basic features of cut, copy, paste, delete, search, compress, decompress options and many advanced features like cloud support, Wi-Fi file transfer and lot more. You can use this convenient tool to view files by type (image, audio, video, downloads etc.) and can access them in one tap through Widgets. This amazing app offers multiple protocols to transfer files easily.

Best Cloud Backup App
G Cloud Backup: This app is the complete package for your storage worries. This app offers cloud backup to store your any file (pictures, videos, audio, contacts, documents, messages, call logs etc.) on it to keep it safe and secure. You can further access these files anytime anywhere. You can use this app to easily migrate your data between various devices and to extend your device's storage space. It supports all Android devices including smartphones, tablets, iPhone and iPad.

Best Photo Editing App
PicsArt Photo Studio: With more than 300 million installs PicsArt Photo studio is one of best photo editing apps available today. It is equipped with 100s of powerful photo editing tools like picture blending & cropping, filters etc. and has 1000s of free clipart packs, collage templates, stickers, fonts and lot more which makes it one of the most powerful photo editing tools. It works as a photo editor a collage maker and a drawing tool to transform your regular photos into work of art.

Best Fitness & Lifestyle App
7 Minute Workout: Adored by millions of users around the world this app is scientifically proven to help you deal with all your fitness worries. It helps you to lose weight, strengthen your muscles, improve cardiovascular functions and lot more. In its extensive features it supports Google fit, gives voice guidance, offers workout logs, adjustable circuit time and rest time provides notifications for daily workout and lot more. This is the perfect choice to remain healthy and fit.

You can use these useful apps to make your experience on Android impressive and convenient. Other than these apps one common problem users face is cluttered and unorganized storage space on their devices. It affects device speed and performance. To deal with this situation you can use Android Cleaner apps for instant and better results.

Android Apps have covered a vast spectrum of user's life. Say it is a simple Android cleaner app or a Cloud backup tool they are available today to make user's life easy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ankit_Pareek/1639663

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internet online steps you can take to prevent identity theft

Proven Steps To Prevent Identity Theft - What Steps Can You Take To Prevent Identity Theft?
By Julius C Rocha

The truth is no matter what precautions you take or no matter how careful you are, there is no 100% way of preventing Identity Theft. The Federal Trade Commission, the U.S Department of Justice, and the U.S Attorney General's Office have all stated that there is no full proof method to avoid this crime. There is an upside however. By making yourself aware of the threat we are faced with and opening your mind to the way these identity criminals think, you can start minimizing the risk of becoming a target. There are proven steps and measures you could use that will definitely take you out of the spot a light and one step ahead of these crooks.

5 Steps That Will Minimize The Risk Of Becoming A Victim Of Identity Theft

Step 1: The first important thing consumers can do to protect their identity is to monitor their credit reports. By law, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the 3 major nationwide consumer reporting companies to provide you with a free copy of your credit report once a year. You can submit a request for a copy of your free credit report at freecreditreport.com or you can call 1-877-322-8228. They ask not to call the credit reporting companies directly because they only provide free reports through their web address and phone number. This will give you the opportunity to see if there are any unauthorized accounts opened in your name.

Step 2: Don't give out personal information over the phone, on the internet, or through the mail unless you first initiated the contact or are sure you know who you're dealing with. Identity thieves have posed as representatives of national banks, members of a charity, and even government agencies to get people to give out their account numbers, Social Security number, and other personal information. Before you share any personal information, always be sure your dealing with a legit organization. You can check an organization's website by typing its URL in the address bar. Do this instead of cutting and pasting it. Or you can call customer service using the number listed on your statement or in the telephone book just to ensure it is in fact them calling.

Step 3: Protecting your mail is very important. Make sure that every single piece of mail with any kind of personal information, even if it's just your name on it, is cross-shredded before you throw it away. Simply tearing it up into pieces is not going to be good enough. This only provides the thief with a puzzle that they can easily piece together. Drop off your outgoing mail in a post office collection box or at your local post office, instead of leaving it in an unsecured mailbox, especially curbside mailboxes. Always quickly remove any mail from your mailbox. If you're going to be away from home and can't pick up your mail, contact your local Post Office and ask for a temporary hold, or a vacation hold. They will hold your mail there until you pick it up or when you are finally home to receive it.

Step 4: Do not carry your Social Security card, credit/debit cards, or passports if you don't plan to utilize them. Carry only credit and debit cards that you need for the day. Same goes for any other personal identification. If you must have it on you, (i.e. Driver's License/I.D) ensure that it is secure. If you are at work, be sure to keep your wallet/purse in a safe place. Places of employment are known for having wallets or purses stolen. Do the same with any copies of administrative forms that might have your personal information on it.

Step 5: As a U.S citizen you have the right to ask about personal information security protocol or procedures at your place of work, other businesses, institutions that collect personal data, doctor's offices, schools, you name it. Find out about their disposal procedures for personal records and ask if your information will be shared with anyone else other than them. If your information is going to be shared, you should definitely ask what safety precautions they will take to keep your information confidential. If you have a problem with the place of business not being able to disclose that information or simply does not have an answer. It would be best to contact the F.T.C immediately to make them aware of the situation at that particular institute.

In Conclusion...

There are between 10-15 million people affected by Identity Theft Each Year. 10% of those victims are children. That means every 3 seconds a new person has their identity stolen. There are other ways to ensure the safety of you and your family's identity. You just have to become aware of the threats around you and what you can do to avoid them. One of the most important steps a person can take in the fight against Identity Theft is to practice awareness for you and family.

Julius C. Rocha is a professional identity theft resource advisor, and has assisted many families in practicing awareness on Identity Theft all across America, to learn more about Julius, see [http://www.wix.com/juliusrocha83/safetyforyouridentity]Helping Others Today

To Learn more on how to prevent Identity Theft from happening to you and your family or to learn ways on how to minimize the risk of becoming a victim, Check out, [http://www.wix.com/juliusrocha83/identitytheftreport]Safety For Your Identity

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Proven-Steps-To-Prevent-Identity-Theft---What-Steps-Can-You-Take-To-Prevent-Identity-Theft?&id=6486241] Proven Steps To Prevent Identity Theft - What Steps Can You Take To Prevent Identity Theft?

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best antivirus computer software to increase speed performance

Read our Editors' review on Protect Your Computer From Viruses, Hackers, and Spies 

You just bought a top of the line system a few months ago - you've got a powerful processor and plenty of hard drive space, but all of a sudden your PC is running slow. Not just a little slow, but darn near stand still slow. This is unacceptable for a brand new system, so what can you do to fix the problem, to ensure that your system will return to the high speed performance that you experienced upon setting it up?

Before you can fix the problem you need to better know what it is that may be causing it.
There are all types of things that can hamper the speed and performance of your PC, many of which can be fixed with a simple installation and operation of a quality software program.
As we use our computers to surf the internet and we visit websites; download pictures, music and movies and install unnecessary programs the system gets gummed up with all kinds of unnecessary items that slow down your PC's performance.

Read our Editors' review on Protect Your Computer From Viruses, Hackers, and Spies 

Paying visits to unknown sites can infect out computers with viruses, spy ware, mal-ware and tracking cookies that can all begin to do damage to the system. Things begin to slow down and some programs stop working in the manner that they should, you may experience painfully long waits for the receiving and sending of e-mails or for the download of files that you actually need. You can't conceivably go without using your computer, so you need something that will remedy the problem as quickly and easily as possible.

Fast and Free Options
If you are low on funds and want to try a quick fix to your problem, there are quite a few free options out there for virus and spy-ware removal. Sometimes when you encounter an older viral threat or a piece of spy-ware that's negatively affecting your system a quick run of an anti-virus or spy-ware/ad-ware removal will remedy the problem. A quick visit to a tech forum and a search of the frequently asked questions can often lead you to a safe and trusted location for a fast and free download to help resolve your issue.

The major problem with this option is that these free programs can't keep up with the latest and most dangerous forms of viruses and spy-ware. New viruses crop up almost every day and some can do serious, irreparable damage to your system if they are not blocked or remedied very soon after they find their way onto your PC. These programs can be a good addition to your protection, but it is best for you and your PC to have a stronger, more reliable and updata-able method of protection.

The Best Method of Defense
In sports it's often stated that the best method of defense is a good offense, meaning that in your defense you need to be constantly proactive to be truly protected, to not wait for something to go wrong and then have to worry about reacting to it. This also holds true for defending your computer - you want to have a source that is constantly keeping up with the latest threats to ensure that you are protected from the all of the things that can damage, slow down or hinder the performance of your PC.

A program like Norton Anti-Virus may cost you a little more than those freebies that you learned about on the computer tech forums, but it will give you an unparalleled level of protection. This type of software will locate and eliminate all of the threats that are damaging and slowing down your system, as well as keep you protected form all of the latest threats that seem to keep cropping up.
Having a top of the line protection software, like Norton Anti-Virus 2009 installed on your PC is the best way to keep your system running at its optimal level of speed.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Amy_Nutt/71550

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ways you can avoid becoming online identity theft victim

Ways to Prevent Identity Theft
By Ryan Franklin

Over the past five years 27 million United States citizens have become victims of identity theft. That means that nearly 10% of the total population has been a victim of this crime. An identity thief can strike anyone at anytime. If you think it could never happen to you then you are exactly the type of mark these criminals are looking for.

With all the new technologies available it is incredibly easy for someone to get your information, if they want it. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to prevent identity theft. 

Read Our Cybersecurity and Cybersafety Guides Here. 

Prevent Identity Theft by Protecting Your Trash

While most people are concerned about protecting their information from the high tech identity thieves, there are still many that practice the technique called "dumpster diving". If you just throw away important statements and documents you might as well be handing the criminals your ID on a silver platter.

You should invest in a high quality crosscut shredder. Put every document that has even the smallest bit of personal information through your shredder before you trash it. This includes bank and credit card statements, old bills, credit card offers, and ATM receipts, and even simply documents with your address on them.

Prevent Identity Theft by Protecting Your Mail

Many people go out of their way to shred their mail, but they do not even think about someone stealing their identity from the mail in their mail box! Stolen mail is one of the main ways that criminals can get your information. If you leave important documents in your outgoing mail, they can simply open up your box and take it. The criminal will surely thank you for not making them go through your trash to get that info.

When you are mailing out important information (such as bills or applications) drop them off at the post office, instead of leaving them in your mail box before you go to work. That little red flag you put up tells any crook that there is something good inside. When you go out of town have your mail stopped, and never leave mail in your mailbox overnight.

Prevent Identity Theft by Protecting Your Computer

This is the area people worry about the most. We hear a lot about how easy it is for hackers to steal all our information, and how it is unsafe to use credit cards online. The truth is, the internet is probably the safest place for your information if you apply the proper precautions.

I feel safer using my credit card online than I do in the store. Reputable online stores provide secured check out pages that encrypt your personal information. Also, unlike using your card in person there isn't anyone looking at your card (or making a physical copy) that you need to worry about.

Every computer connected to the internet needs to have a high quality internet security system. These programs are constantly updated and do a good job of protecting you from anyone trying to make an assault on your information. Do not skimp on this purchase and make sure you program is constantly update.

Prevent Identity Theft by Protecting Your Information

If you are quick to give away your private information then none of these other tips will matter. Keep your private information a secret unless it is absolute necessary to give it out. Fake phone surveys are an easy way for a thief to easily get you to hand over private info.

If you get a letter or email that looks to be from your bank, asking to give someone a password or other information always be skeptical. Many crooks will doctor up documents or websites that look official, just to steal your information. It is always better to be too cautious than too loose with your private information.

Prevent Identity Theft With Identity Insurance

While all the above tips are a great start for stopping an identity thief, the truth is it might not be enough to stop a determined criminal. The thieves are getting smarter everyday, and law enforcement is still 10 years behind in protecting you from this crime. Some companies have seen the need for this sort of protection, and have gotten into the identity insurance business.

Read Our Cybersecurity and Cybersafety Guides Here. 

For only the price of a movie ticket each month you can be sure that your good name will be safe. This protection is even backed by a $1,000,000 guarantee. If you would like to sleep easy at night knowing you and your family are safe from identity theft just Click Here>> [http://www.squidoo.com/identityinsurance]Identity Insurance.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?5-Ways-to-Prevent-Identity-Theft&id=1628897] 5 Ways to Prevent Identity Theft

 

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how to uninstall and remove norton antivirus from computer installed software

If you are a regular user of Norton Antivirus software, you know that it can be expensive to upgrade your subscription every year. Even worse is the hassle involved with uninstalling the application once you decide to try something new. Of course, this does not happen by coincidence - the developers at Norton have done this for a reason. Norton does not want you to make the switch to their competitor's software, and the harder it is to remove the more likely you are to stick with them. This is where software like Perfect Uninstaller comes in.

Perfect Uninstaller is one of the newest software removal applications on the market, and is quickly gaining in popularity. It is being used by computer users all over to remove and uninstall software they no longer want on their computer. Up until recently, the only choice computer users really had to remove software from their computer was to either use Window's built-in add/remove utility or to use a program's uninstall app. The problem is that many programs for some reason do not respond to Window's add/remove utility and do not offer an option to uninstall it from the hard drive.

Read our Editors' review on Protect Your Computer From Viruses, Hackers, and Spies 

Another problem many face is even if the add/remove utility works, it sometimes does not completely remove files and folders associated with the removed program. This can cause a computer to run sluggishly or crash frequently. Programs like Perfect Uninstaller can remove any program (forcibly if necessary) from your computer and it will clean up the registry files related to the installation to ensure your computer runs like it should.

Perfect Uninstaller is not the only option available to remove Norton antivirus. Norton itself offers a removal tool, but many users find it a hassle and it sometimes crashes too. A few other programs available to uninstall Norton include Revo Uninstaller and Absolute Uninstaller.

For More Information on how to Uninstall Norton Antivirus [http://computererrorguide.com/uninstall-norton-antivirus-with-perfect-uninstaller/] and for a full review of Perfect Uninstaller, visit the Computer Error Guide Today at [http://computererrorguide.com]!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jeff_Kiser/125697

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preventing identity theft of dead deceased family member

Identity Theft of the Deceased? Steps You Can Take to Prevent Identity Theft of Deceased Family
By Frank Cseke, Esq.

I have seen an 5-year-old's identity used by criminals for financial gain, and I have seen an 85-year-old's used for the same - I have also seen someone no longer living whose identity was stolen to use for criminal purposes. All of these were unfortunate and taxing on the families dealing with the victimization of a loved one by identity theft. However, I feel the "grave robber" identity thief scenario to be one that is somewhat more disturbing; one who steals certainly stoops to a low level, but robbing the dead takes on another baseless level of moral turpitude. In any event, identity theft in particular is highly troubling to many because of the feeling of helplessness as far as preventing it from occurring, whether for the living or the deceased.

Specifically, I would like to examine the identity theft of a deceased family member. Regardless of the fact that one is deceased, postmortem identity theft injures the living, especially dependents who are relying upon the estate for their support. As such, clients who have contacted me for assistance in the probate process, usually the personal representative, want to know everything they can do to preserve the estate's assets. With equal importance to some of the other financial affairs, preventing identity theft of the deceased person is on the list of "items to do" - when one dies, they are unfortunately exposed to the public record as a deceased individual thus making them a more unique and vulnerable target by identity theft criminals.

It is a good idea to follow these steps you can take to prevent identity theft of a deceased family member:

(1) Consolidate and collect all of the documents, financial and otherwise, belonging to the deceased. This may be an overwhelming task given what one can accumulate in a lifetime, but it is essential for the personal representative of the estate, or executor/executrix, for probate matters and the closing of the estate. Keep these in one, secure, place. By documents, collect also anything electronically stored including the devices storing such data, i.e. computers, disks, CDs, etc.

(2) Write discreet obituaries. Keep in mind, that anything you publish becomes both public and brings attention to the fact of the family member's death. As such, avoid writing anything that reveals too much about the deceased's background, occupation, names of spouses and parents, as these can be used by identity theft criminals to open accounts.

(3) Safeguard death certificates and store the original in your safe or deposit box. Also, send death certificates only to trusted institutions and give only to trusted individuals helping you. Therefore, by working with local tax professionals and persons assisting you in the probate and administrative process it can be less risky than those operating from a "remote" location. When the typical estate may need a dozen or so certificates one cannot be too careful with these.

(4) Give prompt notice to credit bureaus by contacting Experian, 1-888-397-3742; Equifax, 1-888-766-0008; TransUnion, 1-800-680-7289. Moreover, send certified letters to them, logging all correspondence, including an explicit request not to issue credit and only to disclose information to the authorized person for the estate. At the same time request credit reports for closing accounts and notifying creditors.

(5) Do not forget to notify Social Security as well as all financial institutions and all entities doing business with the deceased. Accordingly, notify all banks, insurance companies, creditors and collection agencies if any, lien holders and mortgagors, lessors, debtors (including family members who owe money), etc. In addition, notify the Veterans Administration if they are a veteran and the Social Security Administration, the Department of Motor Vehicles, clubs and organizations or anything membership related, etc.

(6) Contact your attorney about destruction of documents. There is a point in time for probate, taxes and financial affairs, that the documents are no longer needed. When it comes time to destroy them do not just burn for shred them unless you are certain nothing can be salvaged. It may be worth looking into a local shredding company or have your attorney or accountant dispose of them.

(7) Be careful how you involve family members and how much information you give to them. To the dismay of many, a common identity theft situation can occur with a family member or friend. Watch closely those who may have felt unfairly treated in the probate process or held resentment against the deceased - scrutinize everyone, but use tact. It will be easier on you, and safer, to use one family member or friend to help you and disclose information. So, while unfortunate, guard information with family and friends, and be careful how you explain why and what you reveal.

The criminal intentions in identity theft of the deceased range from opening accounts to absconding with property. While it is a difficult time to deal with both the loss and matters following death, the stark reality is that when we die we become easier targets for identity theft, as is publicized by many police departments who educate the public on the issue. Information pamphlets can often be found through your local law enforcement agencies. Finding one of these can also help you learn more in general about preventing identity theft and what you can do if it ever happens. All in all, prevention requires more than just being cautious, education and up-to-date information are also critical.

Frank A. Cseke
Attorney at Law
Estate Planning,
Business Law,
Elder Law,
Wills and Trusts,
VA Assistance

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Identity-Theft-of-the-Deceased?-Steps-You-Can-Take-to-Prevent-Identity-Theft-of-Deceased-Family&id=3637941] Identity Theft of the Deceased? Steps You Can Take to Prevent Identity Theft of Deceased Family

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removing uninstalling norton antivirus software from computer

Read our Editors' review on Protect Your Computer From Viruses, Hackers, and Spies 

Uninstalling Norton Antivirus or any other internet security suit sounds like a daunting task and tall order for someone like myself who is pretty much a technophobe.

Seemed like such a large mountain to climb until I did a bit of research on the matter, and decided to write this article to share it with you.

Read our Editors' review on Protect Your Computer From Viruses, Hackers, and Spies 

In fact the removal process has essentially five steps that anyone, regardless of their technology background and experience.

But before we get into the 'how' of removing Norton Antivirus, let's examine the 'why'. Why would anyone want to remove antivirus software from their computers? Seems counter productive, doesn't it? Wasn't the whole idea behind installing antivirus software applications for for protecting your computer and your online experience from bad things happening to it?

Uninstalling antivirus applications is like leaving the door unlocked, isn't it?

Believe it or not, there are several legitimate reasons for doing so.

1) Corruption. Sometimes software applications become corrupted and result in registry errors during normal use, with power outages, etc.

2) Yearly expiration dates. If you've installed these kinds of software before, you know that they require a special key code that validates their use for one year only. Meaning that afterwards, you will have to remove it once the year is up, and purchase a new one for installation. (The manufacturers have to make their money, after all).

Special note: I would advise you to immediately replace The Norton Antivirus software that you've removed from your computer with another brand of your choice as quickly as possible. I don't think that I need to remind you of just how vulnerable a computer connected to the internet is these days. Viruses can infect your computer without protection. 'Worms' (another type of software program) can get in. Spyware can get in. Spam can get in. Etc.

All of which can either seriously damage your computer, slow it down, or ruin your experience online. (None of which is desirable).

Here are the steps that are involved...

How To Uninstall Norton Antivirus & Internet Security
1) First, go to the "Start Menu" on the bottom left of your computer's screen, and...
2) Find and click on "Control Panel" icon/name. Then you will need to...
3) Find the "Add Or Remove Programs" icon and double-click it.
4) Here you'll see listed all of programs & applications that can be found on your computer. Find and select the antivirus, or the internet security version and click "Uninstall". (This may take a while for the 'list to be populated'. A few minutes tops, depending on how many programs that you have installed on your hard drive).

5) You will then need to Confirm that you want to uninstall the program by clicking on "Remove". Once done, the program name will disappear from the list of programs.
Unfortunately, this is not always fool proof as there are some files left on your registry and on your hard-drive that are required for Norton to properly function on your computer and to do it's job effectively.

So going the "Add/Remove Programs" route may only get part or most of the job done.
In the unlikely event that this is the case, don't despair as I used to when confronted by a situation where technology didn't always 'obey my commands'. There are also stand alone software applications called 'uninstallers' that work great in these situations.

(And the great part is, it can handle everything in less steps than the method described above...3 to be exact).

1) Open the software, and it will start removing the Norton Antivirus application.
2) Once that has been done, the uninstaller will scan both your registry, and your hard-drive.
3) If the uninstaller found any related files, then it will delete them immediately.
This known as "force uninstalling" Norton Internet Security automatically.

A fourth step that I would recommend is to do a Google search for uninstallers. That should give you tons of software options to choose from.
Uninstalling Norton Antivirus or any other internet security suit doesn't seem like such a daunting task now, does it? In just 5 (or 3) steps, your done. Good luck.

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Guidelines on how to prevent online identity theft

How To Prevent Identity Theft
By George Dodge

What was once considered no more than a minor inconvenience, identity theft is now a prominent issue for individuals and law enforcement agencies alike.  Practicing pro-active and commonsense routines when conducting financial transactions by any means other than cash can go along way in preventing identity theft.

Identity theft is an insidious crime that has expanded exponentially throughout the globe.  Far from being a victimless crime, identity theft can have a serious, detrimental impact on your life and can lead to months, and even years of frustration and humiliation. 

 Read and Share Guide On Private/Individual Cybersecurity and Cybersaftey Online Here.
When someone uses your personal identification documentation in order impersonate you for any reason, this is known as identity theft.  Professional identity thieves are proficient at assuming any given identity and the rapidity with which they can destroy another life is mind boggling, to say the least. Should you fall victim to this criminal element, your life can become a living nightmare. By being vigilant in all your financial dealings, you can protect yourself from these identity kidnappers; however, the onus is on you to make sure you are taking all the steps necessary to protect yourself from identity theft.

Identity thieves are constantly on the lookout for the seemingly innocent transaction that, in reality, offers a goldmine of personal information that can be used to assume another's identity.  Protecting yourself from identity theft should be uppermost in your mind at all times and you should always be vigilant in protecting your identity.  The following is a list of things you should consider in order to prevent identity theft:

o    Always make sure you retain all copies of your credit card receipts when presenting your card for payment.  Avoid handing your card over to a server in a restaurant.  Ask that the transaction be completed in plain sight so you can keep a careful eye on your credit card information.  Adept identity thieves can procure all kinds of personal information about you with little more than one credit card number.

o    Don't let mail accumulate in your mailbox.  Identity thieves are constantly on the lookout for mailboxes that may contain pre-approved credit card offerings; these offer easy pickings to a skilled thief as the application can be completed (with a change of address), mailed in to the credit card company, and voila, instant access to your credit. You will be oblivious until the bills for purchases you never made start to roll in.

o    Always cross-shred any documentation showing your personal information before throwing it in the garbage.  Dumpster diving has become an easy and lucrative method of obtaining personal information and, again, you will not even be aware that you have been victimized until the bills catch up with you. 

o    Never leave documents containing sensitive, personal information (like payroll receipts) lying around in plain sight. Although credit card fraud is the most common method of identity theft, skilled scam artists can capture your identity in a variety of seemingly mundane ways.  Once these unscrupulous characters get access to your social security number, look out - the identity thief now has all the information he needs to merrily rack up thousands of dollars of debt in your name.

o    Use caution when releasing personal information to third parties.  Never give out your banking information or social security number over the phone or on the Internet.

o    Never reply to any email, no matter how official looking, that requests banking or financial information. There are teams of criminals in cyberspace who make their living from unsuspecting users who reveal sensitive information obtained through fraudulent emails.  This is called pshishing and can sometimes be so elaborately constructed that most people think it's the real McCoy.  Reputable, legitimate business will never ask you to disclose sensitive information either over the phone or in an email.  

o    Never reveal the password of your banking cards to anyone.

o    Change the password for your banking information regularly. This includes your Internet banking, as hackers have been known to access this information by "mirroring" keystrokes and reproducing them for their own gain.

o    Keep personal information to a minimum when signing up for any online offers.  

Protecting yourself from identity theft is one of these things that will probably never cross your mind unless and until it happens to you or someone you know.  Don't wait to become a victim.  By practicing some commonsense safeguards and remaining vigilant at all times, you will be able to protect yourself from the ever-growing contingent of identity thieves who thrive on taking advantage of others.

 Read and Share Guide On Private/Individual Cybersecurity and Cybersaftey Online Here.
George Dodge is author and webmaster of   Identity Theft Defense at http://www.Identity-Theft-Defense.com where you can discover more about the various forms and methods of Identity Theft and how to protect yourself from becoming an [http://www.identity-theft-defense.com/How-You-Can-Avoid-Becoming-A-Victim-Of-Identity-Theft.html]Identity Theft Victim.

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what to know about norton antivirus software computer application

With the many types of anti-virus software, it is helpful to read a brief description of what the different types do and how they can be beneficial to you and your computer.

Norton Anti-virus
Symantec's Norton AntiVirus software is perhaps the world's most trusted antivirus solution. It is available for both Windows PC's, and Macintosh (Symantec Antivirus for Macintosh - S.A.M). Norton AntiVirus is a very reliable and easy-to-use anti-virus product. It's the best anti-virus product for catching viruses in downloaded files and E-mail. Norton AntiVirus is also more expensive than McAfee VirusScan although not by much, and the added abilities of Norton can easily make up the difference.

Read our Editors' review on Protect Your Computer From Viruses, Hackers, and Spies 

Norton AntiVirus includes many tools that can be run in the background, including watching for suspicious PC activity and automatically checking downloaded files for viruses. Norton AntiVirus is also automatically configured to handle E-mail virus scanning for email messages coming into your computer, as well as those you send. This process automatically scans and cleans both incoming and outgoing email, stopping viruses from infecting your computer or spreading to others. It removes viruses automatically, without interrupting your work and prevents infections during real-time online chats, and also detects viruses in instant-message attachments. Because so many viruses and internet worms are now spread using email and Instant Message Systems, this is extremely valuable and necessary protection.

Norton Installation
Installation is simple. Simply install the CD in your CD drive, and the installer will launch automatically. The installer should ask you if you want to do a pre-install scan of your system for viruses. This is a very good thing to do. Once this is finished, the installation will proceed, and you can accept all the defaults without worry. Once the installation is complete, you'll be prompted to go online and get up-to-date virus definitions. DO NOT skip this step. Having up-to-date virus definitions is essential to the performance of any antivirus software.

Normal Use
Norton is a very hands-off program. Pretty much it is an install and forget program that looks after itself. It will automatically notify you if there is anything that you need to do. If a virus is found, the software will try to automatically repair the file, if it can't, it will place the file in a safe 'quarantine' zone, and let you know. In addition to looking for known viruses, the Norton Antivirus Bloodhound feature tries to spot new viruses and worms by their behaviour that is common to such nasty programs.

Checking your system and downloading updates are two things you need to do regularly. Norton Antivirus makes them painless by setting up a full system scan once a week and checking for new updates (both to the software, and virus definitions) whenever you're online. These simple update scans hardly slow down your PC down at all.

Overall, Norton Antivirus is an excellent way to guard against viruses. It is the system that I recommend to my clients most often, and that I use personally.

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