Online banking has made performing many tasks simpler and quicker; what used to take a drive to the bank and a wait in line can now be done in just a few clicks. However, like other online activities, online banking does have security pitfalls, so that convenience comes at a price. How safe is online…
Who is a target for identity theft? Actually, all individuals with a social security number are considered identity theft targets. However, based on age, income, and financial activity, some identity theft targets are more at risk than others – and it isn’t just strangers who might be after your information. Statistics compiled by the National…
Over the past few years, wifi networks have been popping up everywhere so that people can use their laptops to surf the internet and get work done in coffee shops, restaurants, hotel lobbies, and even truck stops. With the explosion of internet enabled mobile devices, wifi networks are even being set up in bars and…
What is a keylogger? More technically known as keystroke loggers, keyloggers are typically programs, though they can also be physical devices, designed to track every keystroke you make on your keyboard and send the information to hackers. These unique programs run in the background of your computer to keep their activities hidden, so you might…
Last year Facebook had to settle with the Federal Trade Commission over Facebook privacy issues which misled users about their real right to privacy using its service. A recent poll by AP-CNBC found that 59% of Facebook users do not trust the service to keep their information private. Yet despite the lack of trust, we…
There are a number of ways hackers can access your computer, but using your computer’s IP address as a backdoor to access your files is one of the most insidious. IP addresses are required to access the internet, but because of the risk posed by hackers, it’s important to know what your IP address is…
If you’ve been watching the news, or even just keeping up with StumbleForward, you know that personal identity theft stories are on the rise. As people put more of their lives out in public and financial and government institutions get tangled in bureaucracy, it is harder than ever for identity theft victims to clear their…
Password security questions are meant to add a layer of security to online account logins. Still, with the advent of social media, the answers to the most common password security questions are increasingly easy for others to answer. The integrity of these website security questions is also damaged because many people view them as more…
Even if it has never happened to you (and I hope it hasn’t!), you should know how to report a stolen credit card so that you are prepared if it does happen. I can tell you from experience, it takes more than a simple phone call to make sure that your account and your entire…
A recent survey reported by information control expert John Sileo found that 45% of consumers are most concerned about identity theft while online. However, 75% of consumers mistakenly thought that using a firewall while shopping online was adequate protection against cyber fraud. If you are one of these consumers and want to know how to…