FBI: Haitian Earthquake Relief Fraud Alert
U.S. Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation
The FBI today reminds Internet users who receive appeals to donate money in the aftermath of Tuesday’s earthquake in Haiti to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before responding to those requests. Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization and/or a good cause. Therefore, before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, to include the following…
Critical Steps When Your Email Is Breached
By Rachel James, Author and Cybercrime Authority at ID Experts
BBC News announced that more passwords to email accounts were posted: Yahoo, Gmail, AOL, Comcast, and Earthlink users appear among those impacted. Again, security experts are urging those with accounts to change their login details. These are extra steps everyone should take at least once a year, or during situations where an account may be compromised:
Scam Alert: Hallmark E-Card Malware
From SUPERAntiSpyware and Information Security Resources
Here is a scam that is particularly difficult to spot. Note the use of a Hallmark email address, Hallmark Logo and the template that was probably lifted from an authentic e-card. What’s the dead give-away that this is scam? Note the fact that the link has an “.exe” which is an “execute” command that will probably run some kind of nasty malware.
Scam Alert: Rogue Gmail Account Phishing
Anthony M. Freed, Editor and Publisher of Information Security Resources
One of the penalties of having a well published email address is that I receive dozens of phishing emails, scam letters, and other nefarious material en masse daily. Most of these are the typical inheritance, lottery, and sweepstakes scams - but then there are the ones that at first glance may seem legitimate. Take for instance the following email I received over the holiday weekend.
Four Simple Rules to Improve Internet Safety
By David Alexander, Fraud and Economic Crime Expert
Safety online is a controversial issue, one that is debated to death with little results that the average person can use without an advanced IT qualification. Here are my four simple rules for improving internet safety:
Securing Your Email and Controlling IM Risks
By Simon Heron, CISSP Internet Security Analyst
Currently, people rely on obscurity to keep their data safe. But with progressively more intelligent search engines available that can churn through vast amounts of data and make sense of it – even your email – security is something that needs to be addressed.
Evaluating Identity Theft Protection Products
By Rachel James, Author and Cybercrime Authority
Spoiler alert: There isn’t an effective identity theft protection product. Typically, a company claiming to be an identity theft protection company will provide one or all of these services; access to credit reports, credit monitoring, and database monitoring. Unfortunately, these services cause security problems themselves.
Critical Steps to Prevent Your Identity Theft
By everlife.com’s Landon McGehee
Identity theft is “America’s fastest growing problem” according to a statement made by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates 10 million Americans are affected each year. Knowing how to protect yourself is vitally important to avoid becoming a victim. The following are arenas where thieves prey:
How Email Becomes Your Identity (Theft)
By Rachel James, Author and Cybercrime Authority
Your email is as firmly established as an identity as a credit report- it contains details of your finances, address history, and birthday just as a credit report would. Your address book may reveal your mother’s maiden name, and a compromise of the account could easily reveal your tax information or social security number. A compromise of this account could be devastating.
Protecting Yourself From Employment Scams
By David Alexander, Fraud and Economic Crime Expert
We have seen a huge increase in job scams over the last few days targeting people making use of classified advertisement sites to look for employment. How do you separate the legitimate job offer from the scam? Here are some quick and easy checks you can do:
