Spear phishing is a more dangerous cyber attack than typically "blind" phishing or spam attempts because they lull people into a false sense of security. Consumers are on their guard against spam from sources they don't know. But when an email seems to be from a trusted entity, or include personal details such as their name, people are more likely to do what it says.
Phishing IQ TEST-http://www.sonicwall.com/furl/phishing/phishing-quiz-question.php
Tuesday
Wednesday
Scareware
Scareware: Scareware is software that tricks people into downloading or purchasing it, under the guise of fixing their computer, when in reality the faux anti-virus program is the real problem. Scareware programs often run a fictitious or careless system scan, and then present the user with a list of malicious programs that must be corrected, always leaving itself off of the list. The scareware then informs that in order to fix these "problems" it will require the user to pay a fee for a "full" or "registered" version of the software. Examples of scareware include: System Security, Anti-Virus 2010, and Registry Cleaner XP.
Protect Your Identity
1. Don’t let your credit or debit cards out of your sight. It is common for restaurants to take your card away and run the payment at a register out of your sight. Unfortunately, some servers are dishonest and run your card through a “skimmer” that captures the card’s information so a new one can be made. Bring cash to restaurants that you know will take your card away. Also don’t let a clerk in a store take your card out of your sight. Some dishonest clerks will say they have to get manager approval of your transaction, then go to a back room and skim your card.
3. Protect your PIN. When at an ATM, cover the keypad with your hand and do the same as you tap in the information on pads in stores. In a store you can avoid entering your PIN altogether by running the transaction as “credit” rather than “debit.” It doesn’t change anything about how your money is withdrawn, only that you don’t have to enter your PIN.
4. Don’t get caught by phishing scams or phone scams. You hear it all the time, but it bears repeating: Never give personal information out over the phone unless you initiate the call and never enter information into a form you reached by a link in an email. Always type the website directly into your browser and navigate from there. If in doubt, call the company that sent the email or made the phone call and ask if it’s legitimate.
5. Use a cross-cut shredder. Shred anything with your SSN, bank account numbers, address, or other personal information. Be especially sure to shred pre-approved credit card offers and balance transfer checks. Get a cross-cut shredder or “confetti” shredder because these reduce your papers to tiny bits that are almost impossible to put back together. Some shredders make strips which are too easy for a thief to put back together.
6. Keep records of your credit card numbers, bank accounts, insurance cards, and driver’s license information (and contact information for each agency) separate from your wallet or purse. Make photocopies of sensitive items that you carry and keep them in a secure location separate from your wallet. If your wallet or purse is stolen, you can quickly contact each bank and card issuer and notify them of the theft so they can shut down your accounts and open new ones.
7. Don’t leave personal information out in the open. More and more you’re hearing stories about people who had their identity stolen by contractors or delivery people who came to their home. Maybe they left their checkbook out in the open, or an old bank statement, or an insurance claim with their SSN on it. However it happened, the contractor picked up the information or copied it while the homeowner wasn’t looking and then stole their identity. If you’re having work done or deliveries made, make certain that any compromising information is out of sight and preferably locked up. And be sure to keep an eye on the people who are in your home.
8. Monitor your accounts online. Many banks and credit cards now offer online access to your accounts. Take advantage of this and monitor your accounts daily or every other day to check for suspicious activity. This gives you a chance to quickly catch a thief before too much damage is done. If you only wait for the monthly statement, you may be too late.
9. Sign up for e-billing and e-statements. Receiving bills and account statements electronically cuts down on the chances of someone intercepting your information in the mail, either through intentional theft or because your mail was delivered to the wrong place.
10.Buy a safe. Keep sensitive documents (tax returns, bank statements, passports, Social Security cards, etc.) in a safe. If your home is broken into, a safe may keep your information out of the wrong hands. Alternatively, you can rent a safe deposit box at your bank but this can be inconvenient if you need the documents and the bank is closed. And don’t keep documents any longer than necessary. Shred or burn statements, tax returns and old bills when they are no longer needed.
11. Don’t put your SSN, phone number, or driver’s license number on your checks. In the old days the advice was to put this information on checks to speed processing and verification. But now this is just more information that can be used against you if your check goes awry. Only put your name and address on a check. If the person taking the check requests additional information, you can give it if you feel comfortable (but don’t give the SSN — they don’t need that), but otherwise don’t give it out.
12.Be careful with your mail. Opting out of junk mail and signing up for e-billing and e-statements where possible will greatly cut down your risk of mail-related identity theft, but you can go further. Don’t leave sensitive outgoing mail in your mailbox for pickup. It can easily be stolen while you’re not looking. Take it to the post office. If you’re going to be out of town, either have your mail held at the post office or have a trusted friend pick it up. Don’t let it pile up in the box where thieves can get to it. Retrieve your mail as soon as possible. If you aren’t home when the mail comes, get it out of the box as soon as you get home. Don’t leave it there overnight. You might also consider a locking mailbox. These are designed so that they can be opened and closed once for the mail delivery, but after that they must be opened with a combination or a key and then reset for the next day’s delivery.
13. Protect your computer. Install antivirus and anit-spyware protection on your computer to prevent anyone from installing malicious software that can capture your personal information or transmit it to another party. Make certain websites are secure before entering personal information (look for “https” in the web address and/or a lock icon in the browser window). Don’t enter personal information when using public computers at schools, universities, libraries, coffee shops, etc. You don’t know what kind of protection, if any, they have in place.
14. Don’t carry anything with your SSN in your wallet or purse unless you are going to need it that day. If your wallet or purse is stolen it’s a pain to cancel and reissue credit cards and bank accounts, but it’s so much worse if the thief gets your SSN in the bargain. While you’re at it, purge your wallet of any credit cards, insurance cards, or other identifying information you don’t use on a regular basis to cut down on the items a thief has access to.
15. Don’t give out your SSN unless you have no other choice. Many places that ask for your SSN (except banks or those issuing credit) will accept another identifier if you ask. Many are aware of the problems of identity theft and may be willing to work with you. If asked for your SSN, ask why they need it and if there is an alternative and, if you’re not satisfied with the answer, consider whether or not you’re willing to take the risk.
3. Protect your PIN. When at an ATM, cover the keypad with your hand and do the same as you tap in the information on pads in stores. In a store you can avoid entering your PIN altogether by running the transaction as “credit” rather than “debit.” It doesn’t change anything about how your money is withdrawn, only that you don’t have to enter your PIN.
4. Don’t get caught by phishing scams or phone scams. You hear it all the time, but it bears repeating: Never give personal information out over the phone unless you initiate the call and never enter information into a form you reached by a link in an email. Always type the website directly into your browser and navigate from there. If in doubt, call the company that sent the email or made the phone call and ask if it’s legitimate.
5. Use a cross-cut shredder. Shred anything with your SSN, bank account numbers, address, or other personal information. Be especially sure to shred pre-approved credit card offers and balance transfer checks. Get a cross-cut shredder or “confetti” shredder because these reduce your papers to tiny bits that are almost impossible to put back together. Some shredders make strips which are too easy for a thief to put back together.
6. Keep records of your credit card numbers, bank accounts, insurance cards, and driver’s license information (and contact information for each agency) separate from your wallet or purse. Make photocopies of sensitive items that you carry and keep them in a secure location separate from your wallet. If your wallet or purse is stolen, you can quickly contact each bank and card issuer and notify them of the theft so they can shut down your accounts and open new ones.
7. Don’t leave personal information out in the open. More and more you’re hearing stories about people who had their identity stolen by contractors or delivery people who came to their home. Maybe they left their checkbook out in the open, or an old bank statement, or an insurance claim with their SSN on it. However it happened, the contractor picked up the information or copied it while the homeowner wasn’t looking and then stole their identity. If you’re having work done or deliveries made, make certain that any compromising information is out of sight and preferably locked up. And be sure to keep an eye on the people who are in your home.
8. Monitor your accounts online. Many banks and credit cards now offer online access to your accounts. Take advantage of this and monitor your accounts daily or every other day to check for suspicious activity. This gives you a chance to quickly catch a thief before too much damage is done. If you only wait for the monthly statement, you may be too late.
9. Sign up for e-billing and e-statements. Receiving bills and account statements electronically cuts down on the chances of someone intercepting your information in the mail, either through intentional theft or because your mail was delivered to the wrong place.
10.Buy a safe. Keep sensitive documents (tax returns, bank statements, passports, Social Security cards, etc.) in a safe. If your home is broken into, a safe may keep your information out of the wrong hands. Alternatively, you can rent a safe deposit box at your bank but this can be inconvenient if you need the documents and the bank is closed. And don’t keep documents any longer than necessary. Shred or burn statements, tax returns and old bills when they are no longer needed.
11. Don’t put your SSN, phone number, or driver’s license number on your checks. In the old days the advice was to put this information on checks to speed processing and verification. But now this is just more information that can be used against you if your check goes awry. Only put your name and address on a check. If the person taking the check requests additional information, you can give it if you feel comfortable (but don’t give the SSN — they don’t need that), but otherwise don’t give it out.
12.Be careful with your mail. Opting out of junk mail and signing up for e-billing and e-statements where possible will greatly cut down your risk of mail-related identity theft, but you can go further. Don’t leave sensitive outgoing mail in your mailbox for pickup. It can easily be stolen while you’re not looking. Take it to the post office. If you’re going to be out of town, either have your mail held at the post office or have a trusted friend pick it up. Don’t let it pile up in the box where thieves can get to it. Retrieve your mail as soon as possible. If you aren’t home when the mail comes, get it out of the box as soon as you get home. Don’t leave it there overnight. You might also consider a locking mailbox. These are designed so that they can be opened and closed once for the mail delivery, but after that they must be opened with a combination or a key and then reset for the next day’s delivery.
13. Protect your computer. Install antivirus and anit-spyware protection on your computer to prevent anyone from installing malicious software that can capture your personal information or transmit it to another party. Make certain websites are secure before entering personal information (look for “https” in the web address and/or a lock icon in the browser window). Don’t enter personal information when using public computers at schools, universities, libraries, coffee shops, etc. You don’t know what kind of protection, if any, they have in place.
14. Don’t carry anything with your SSN in your wallet or purse unless you are going to need it that day. If your wallet or purse is stolen it’s a pain to cancel and reissue credit cards and bank accounts, but it’s so much worse if the thief gets your SSN in the bargain. While you’re at it, purge your wallet of any credit cards, insurance cards, or other identifying information you don’t use on a regular basis to cut down on the items a thief has access to.
15. Don’t give out your SSN unless you have no other choice. Many places that ask for your SSN (except banks or those issuing credit) will accept another identifier if you ask. Many are aware of the problems of identity theft and may be willing to work with you. If asked for your SSN, ask why they need it and if there is an alternative and, if you’re not satisfied with the answer, consider whether or not you’re willing to take the risk.
16. Spring for an unlisted phone number. Having an unlisted phone number cuts down on the number of phone solicitations you receive and cuts down on people just pulling a phone number and address out of the book and giving it as their own. It also cuts down on some junk mail solicitors that compile their lists from phone listings.
17. Order your free credit reports and set up a monitoring cycle. AnnualCreditReport.com. Only use this site. Others that sound similar require you to pay. But don’t request them all at once. Since you can get one per year from each service, you can request one every four months to keep a constant eye on your credit. So, for example, if you request from Equifax in January, wait until May to request one from TransUnion. Then request one from Experian in September. Then, when January rolls around, you request from Equifax again and keep the cycle going. This means you’re seeing your credit report once every four months which lets you catch potential problems quicker than if you look at it only once a year or less often You are entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. You get these reports through .
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