Is Identity Theft Really That Serious?

from ezinearticles.com
By Jim King

If it hasn't touched you yet, you'll probably just brush it off with a laugh. The thing is that identity theft if it does involve you could be very, very serious. Just imagine walking into a store and buying that new music system. You give the salesman your credit card and he comes back apologetically to say he can't give you credit. Or maybe you've just been to an interview for a great new job and you're so sure they loved you and you'll be there next month. Well, you could just get a cold call saying you didn't get the job. It could be worse. Imagine hearing the doorbell ring and a policemen walk in to arrest you.

Does all this sound like it's taken from a movie script and a far-fetched one at that? Well before you brush if off as improbable, ask around and you'll find that the consequences of identity theft can be very bad. So you haven't been hit yet? You lucky thing, you! However, if you don't pay attention, you could be next and you could be going through these scenarios where your credit just isn't good enough. People who steal your identity don't even know who you are, neither do they care. As long as they can do it to anyone, that's all they want.... read more

Of Hackers, Malicious Code, Spyware, Trojan Horses and Virus Checkers...O My!

From our Glossary

HACKER, ATTACKER, or INTRUDER: These terms are applied to the people who seek to exploit weaknesses in software and computer systems for their own gain. Although their intentions are sometimes fairly benign and motivated solely by curiosity, their actions are typically in violation of the intended use of the systems they are exploiting. The results can range from mere mischief (creating a virus with no intentionally negative impact) to malicious activity (stealing or altering information).

MALICIOUS CODE: This category includes code such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Although some people use these terms interchangeably, they have unique characteristics.

SPYWARE: Spyware was originally, not designed to do mischief, but rather to gather information. More recently, spyware, or adware, has changed into an invader of your privacy. It examines programs and cookies on your computer looking for items used to either gain data from your computer or track your Internet use. A spyware checker is a program designed to protect your personal information. The most common type of spyware, more properly termed adware, generates pop-up and other ads.

TROJAN HORSE: A Trojan horse program is software that claims to be one thing while in fact doing something different behind the scenes. For example, a program that claims it will speed up your computer may actually be sending confidential information to a remote intruder.

VIRUS CHECKER: A virus checker or virus protection is a program that runs continuously whenever your computer is on. It monitors the contents of e-mail attachments as well as programs that run on your computer. It detects and disarms viruses and prevents damage to your computer before they start trouble.

Facebook shuts down Beacon marketing tool

As part of a settlement of a large class-action lawsuit in California, Facebook has agreed to completely shut down its "Beacon" feature, which connects users' activites outside of Facebook to the users' profiles. See: Facebook shuts down Beacon marketing tool Sympatico.ca Sync.

Beacon was one of many high-profile privacy missteps taken by Facebook over its relatively short history. I've always thought that Facebook is a bit of a game-changer and has had to blaze its own trail through uncharted territory. While mistakes happen, it has been remarkable that Facebook has not been more open to its users by giving advance warning about significant changes and the simple use of "opt in" for features that are inherently intrusive.

This underscores the theory that privacy is, in large measure, about meeting users' expectations. If users are surprised by the use of their information, they get upset. If you tell users how you propose to use their information and give them control over that, they're generally fine with it. It's just that simple.

from Canadian Privacy Law Blog

Canada leads G-8 in adoption of broadband Internet access services

Virtually 100 per cent of Canadians now have access to broadband Internet


TORONTO, Oct. 7 /Canada NewsWire/ - Virtually every Canadian who wants broadband Internet access can get it, and most can choose to get it from a broad array of service providers and technologies.

A new report by Mark H. Goldberg & Associates Inc. and Giganomics Consulting Inc. entitled "Lagging or Leading: The state of Canada's broadband infrastructure" takes a critical look at the state of Internet infrastructure in Canada, clearly demonstrating that on balance Canadians are the beneficiaries of industry investment and government programs that have created a diversified broadband infrastructure covering virtually the entire nation.

"Access to the Internet is crucial in today's global economy, so we thought it important to look at all the facts and information to paint a true picture of the Internet in Canada," says Mr. Goldberg. "Despite the significant challenges of geography and low population density, Canada has among the best access to affordable broadband service anywhere in the world. Contrary to the conclusions of the OECD, Canada compares favorably and in many cases surpasses countries whose governments have funded the deployment of broadband networks using enormous levels of tax dollars."

In large part due to investment by private Internet service providers (ISPs), the authors found that 100 per cent of Canadians have access to broadband Internet, when you look at all available technologies rather than a narrow range or even a single option. Canada's ISPs are currently investing $8 - $10 billion every year on expanding their networks and bringing faster access to Canadians.

"The vast majority of Canadians benefit from a world-leading level of choice in access to broadband technologies, using phone lines, cable lines, wireless services (fixed and mobile) and satellite services," says Mr. Goldberg. "Moreover, Canadians have access to some of the most affordable services, while also benefiting from some of the world's fastest connection speeds for both wireline and wireless broadband services."

The report shows that Canada continues to rank first in the G-8 countries in adoption of Internet access services, and consistently ranks in the top 10 of most international comparisons on broadband penetration and speeds. This contradicts a recent student project from Oxford's Said Business School that suffers from weak methodology, leading to unreliable results.

With almost 70 per cent of Canadian households already subscribing to broadband Internet, there still remains a significant opportunity to expand broadband adoption even further.

"When you look at all the facts, it is clear Canada is a leader in broadband network deployment and that Canadians benefit from a competitive Internet industry bringing them the latest technologies and affordable pricing," said Ms. Blackwell, Giganomics Consulting. "That said, we uncovered several opportunities that deserve attention and will help us hold our enviable global position in the Internet industry. Our country's economy will only come to rely even more on broadband in the coming years, so it is critical we get this right." The report makes several recommendations:

- As we go through the process of developing a national information and
communication technologies (ICT) strategy, recognize the true state
of Canada's ICT infrastructure and take into account all established
and emerging technologies.
- Continue policies focused on fostering facilities-based competition.
- Build on the past success of private sector investment by removing
current policy and regulatory uncertainty regarding investments in
next-generation networks.
- Shift more attention to adoption issues (including adoption of next-
generation services) and encourage socio-economic research focused on
better understanding the obstacles to, and inhibitors of, broadband
adoption.
- Consider programmes to improve digital literacy and the use of
incentives (tax-based or otherwise) to target and overcome any
barriers to broadband adoption.


The Mark H. Goldberg & Associates Inc. and Giganomics Consulting Inc. report, commissioned by a group of Canada's largest ISPs, seeks to understand the true state of broadband adoption in Canada and to provide the facts and analysis required to facilitate constructive debate that will help keep Canadians at the forefront of the Internet age.

To read the full report please visit www.mhgoldberg.com/blog or www.giganomics.ca

Canadians need to take control of their online personal information

Privacy Commissioner of Canada's annual report focuses on importance of making informed choices about sharing personal information online.


OTTAWA, Oct. 10 /Canada NewsWire Telbec/ - As more and more Canadians live their lives online, the Privacy Commissioner is cautioning them to take greater responsibility for securing their privacy and thinking twice about what they post on the Internet.

"Many young people are choosing to open their lives in ways their parents would have thought impossible and their grandparents unthinkable. Their lives play out on a public stage of their own design as they strive for visibility, connectedness and knowledge," says Jennifer Stoddart, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

"Such openness can lead to greater creativity, literacy, networking and social engagement. But putting so much of their personal information out into the open can also...leave an enduring trail of embarrassing moments that could haunt them in future," the Commissioner says in her annual report to Parliament, which was tabled today.

The Commissioner's 2008 Annual Report to Parliament on the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) highlights the issue of youth privacy. It also looks at 2008 privacy complaint investigations; technology and privacy issues; and the Commissioner's efforts to encourage the development of international privacy standards.

Commissioner Stoddart noted that many people have been fired, missed out on job interviews and academic opportunities, and been suspended from school for instant messages, wall posts and other types of online correspondence they mistakenly thought were private conversations with friends.

There is also a risk that unguarded personal information could be exploited by identity thieves.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner recently completed an investigation into the privacy policies and practices of the popular social networking site Facebook. While that investigation focused on Facebook's obligations under Canadian privacy law, the Commissioner emphasized at the time that, with nearly 12 million Canadians on Facebook, it's also important for users to adopt the appropriate privacy settings and to understand how their personal information may be used or shared online.

The Privacy Commissioner's Office has made online youth privacy a key priority, using contests, communications materials and a dedicated youth privacy website to reach out to young people and to encourage them to reflect on privacy issues and to "Think Before You Click."

"As Canada's privacy guardian, it is our role to create awareness of privacy risks, show people how to address those risks, and make it easy for them to make informed decisions," says Commissioner Stoddart.

Adds Assistant Commissioner Elizabeth Denham: "We're not suggesting the clock be turned back; we just want to ensure Canadians have the information they need to make more privacy-conscious decisions."

The annual report, available on the OPC website at www.priv.gc.ca, includes details of complaints received and investigated by the Office in 2008.

The OPC received 422 new PIPEDA-related complaints for investigation in 2008, ending a downward trend that had lasted for several years. In 2007, there had been 350 complaints, fewer than half the 723 received in 2004.


The Privacy Commissioner of Canada is mandated by Parliament to act as an ombudsman, advocate and guardian of privacy and the protection of personal information rights of Canadians

Do You Know Where Emails Are Coming From?

Just because an email says it’s from customerservice@yourbank.com, how can you be sure? One of the basic necessities of phishing attacks is an identity thief’s ability to convincingly pretend to be someone else. The core of phishing is impersonation. Identity thieves pretend to be legitimate businesses, organizations, or government agencies when they ask for your personal information. They copy the Web sites of those they are impersonating to trick you into providing your information on the sites. And once they have your information, they impersonate you to gain access to your accounts and create new accounts in your name. Authentication – getting proof that someone is who they claim to be – is key in fighting the battle against phishing.

Many phishing attempts start with an email message that pretends to be from a trusted source, such as a bank or an online merchant. Phishers have figured out ways to make it look like an email comes from a certain email address, when that actually isn’t the case. It may be impossible to tell just by looking at the “From” line in the message whether the sender truly is who it claims to be. So, what’s a consumer to do?

For detailed informationabout what to do visit our Cybersecurty for Seniors website.

Fraud Afoot

Seems like everyone has become the recipient of mysterious e-mails promising untold wealth if only one helps a wealthy foreigner quietly move millions of dollars out of his country. The venerable Nigerian Scam has discovered the goldmine that is the Internet. Beware — there's still no such thing as "something for nothing," and the contents of your bank account will end up with these wily foreigners if you fall in with this.

Likewise, look out for mailings announcing you've won a foreign lottery you don't recall entering or claiming that because you share the surname of a wealthy person who died without leaving a will you're in line for a windfall inheritance.

And be especially wary if, while trying to sell or rent anything online (car, boat, horse, motorcycle, painting, apartment, you name it) you're approached by a prospective buyer/renter who wants to pay with a cashier check made out for an amount in excess of the agreed-upon price and who asks the balance be sent to a third party.

Aspiring work-at-homers promised big bucks for acting as intermediaries for international transactions wherein they cash checks for other parties or reship goods to them have been defrauded by con artists. Don't you be next.

If someone calls to announce you've failed to appear for jury duty and will be arrested, do not give the caller your personal and financial information in an effort to prove he's sending the gendarmes after the wrong guy. You're being tricked into giving up this information to an identity thief.