How to increase your security on the computer

With the rate of Identity theft in South Africa increasing daily, I thought it would be good to do some research into identity theft and warn fellow fringsters of some of the techniques used and what can be done to avoid identity theft.

What is Identity theft?

Criminals obtains valuable information about your personal life, key pieces of identification such as identity numbers and driver’s license numbers are usually the first followed by info like credit card details and anything else they can get their sticky little hands on. They then use this information for their own personal gain.

My first real internet search took me to Wikipedia
Where i was made aware of the following Techniques:

• “dumpster diving” They go through your trash

• “shoulder surf” personal data is obtained by eavesdropping

• “Trojan horses” data is obtained by computer Trojan viruses

• “infiltration” data is stolen by employees of large firms

• “phishing” a trusted organization is impersonated via email

• “Spam” those emails that ask you to reply for some bogus prizes

What are they going to do with my information?

The list is endless, but includes
illegal immigration, terrorism, espionage, blackmail and of coarse milking your bank account.

What can I do to be prepared?

1. Never thrash documents containing personal info. (Burn it)
2. At the ATM make sure no one can see over your shoulder (and on the computer look who is behind your screen especially in coffee shops etc.)
3. Get anti virus software installed and make sure it is working and updated regularly.
4. Do not give your passwords to anyone.
5. Never reply to any spam!
6. Never leave your credit card, wallet or cellphone unattended.
7. Do not use non electronic credit card facilities.

Please share this info with non fringster friends and family as well.