As we journey more into the world of technology, we cringe at the thought that someone somewhere is on a very expensive shopping spree with credit cards and identification under your name. Warning: 27.3 million Americans identities have been stolen!
A nightmare indeed, but federal authorities recently unraveled a scheme by a man using file sharing software to get into other user's computer system. Gregory Thomas Kopiloff of Seattle, allegedly used P2P Software to steal the personally identifiable information of at least 83 people. Kopiloff stole $73,000 worth of merchandise using user's personal data.
You probably have used or know someone that has used software like BearShare.com, Limewire.com, Kazaa.com, Soulseek.com, Fastrack.com. These type of software actually shares a particular folder on the hard drive of your computer with potentially thousands of users utilizing the software and that are part of this so-called "file-sharing network." The users of this file sharing are in danger of having the computer hacker having access to sensitive data such as social security numbers, tax information, credit information and other personal information. With this type of software, a hacker can even have access to individuals personal digital pictures, music and all types of documents. According to the National Research Council, "Computers at Risk," 1991, "The modern thief can steal more with a computer than with a gun. Tomorrow's terrorist may be able to do more damage with a keyboard than with a bomb. Can we stop this?
Monster.com was also hit by hackers not too long ago. 1.3 million monster.com users personal information were exploited. Later on, those same crooks that broke into Monster.com vault of personal data went on to hit USAJOBS.com, the federal government's official job search site and stole over 150,000 user's information. Credit Card companies have also been hit.
It's time to secure your computer with your life. The luxury of the internet is a two edge sword. We can indulge ourselves in all the information that we want, explore the world with a few clicks of a button, communicate instantly and we can shop through all the multitudes of stores and hundreds and thousands of products. We are the ruler of our own internet kingdom!
But can we manage our internet castle, or does the evils of the outside world can control and destroy us. It's a digital world, my friend. Billions of bits of information cross our little technological planet. From thieves, to child molesters and to your boss - we are more vulnerable now than 20 years ago. A sacrifice for all the goodies we can get from our "lovely" internet? Definitely.
Here's a few simple things to do to avoid a fatal intrusion into your life:
1. Don't have personal info stored in your computer. (easier said than done, most people have their whole lives inside that little box). But limiting such things, as social security numbers, tax info and identification numbers from your files can help tremendously.
2. Don't file share. (Good luck on that one.) And don't give out any personal information from an unsolicited email! Sadly, many people do this.
3. Always keep in mind that whatever you have in your computer, anyone can possibly get. For example, those special valentine pictures of your intimate other. It happens more than you think. A couple from Virginia had intimate pictures on their personal computer and were shocked to see those same pictures on the web on a adult website. Who would've' known, huh?
4. Powerful Anti-hacking software. For example, The Nuker at www.stop-hackers.com is a super software that can stop hackers to get into your system. Best of all, it's free to try.
5. Keep laptops out of prying eyes. Oh, yea -don't lend out your computer to anyone! Let's be stingy with this, you guys. Nothing personal.
Anti-hacking/Anti-spy ware is mandatory. But don't rely on those fake software, you got to use a legitimate software. Remember 9 out of 10 pc's are infected with spy ware or ad ware. Be wise. Your computer and your life depends on it!
To stop any type of hacking or for more information please review www.stop-hackers.com. With new hacking software and creepy crawlers all over the internet,you need a good anti-spyware product.
To fight back against identity theft, go to ftc.gov. Learn more. Be wise. If you want to know what real hackers are doing today then check out www.attrition.org. This is one of the places on the Internet where hackers "gloat" about their attacks on innocent individuals.
Jesse Castaneda, Jr is the author of the novel Cringe (fiction) and also a non-fiction writer and a business owner. For more information regarding this article, take a look at http://www.stop-hackers.com
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