Crime Prevention Crime Prevention TECHNOLOGY AGETECHNOLOGY AGE

©This TCLEOSE approved Crime Prevention Curriculum is the property of CSCS-ICJS CRIME PREVENTION II

Institute for Criminal Justice Studies

The Technology Age:Tips to Keep Your Information Safe

and Secure

National Crime Prevention Council

2007

Goal of This Presentation

To inform communities of various types of online information theft and

security risks and to provide safety tips to help adults have a safe and

secure experience online.

Objectives of the Presentation

• Describe identity theft and explore ways in which criminals access information

• Learn tips to keep information secure from theft

• Explore facts regarding Internet Service Providers and the security of your personal information

• Examine how newsgroups, personal web pages, and web browsing expose and jeopardize personal information

Objectives of the Presentation(continued)

• Understand how spyware, spamming, and phishing collect personal information and how you can protect yourself from them

• Review tips for safe and secure emailing • Explore ways to shop safely online• Learn about online auction fraud and

discover ways to recognize and avoid it• Review tips for secure wireless and home

computing

The Internet

The Internet is a powerful resource. Benefits of the Internet include being able to

Access and share information

Communicate with ease

Conduct financial transactions

Plan trips and vacations

Conduct business

Learn—it’s the world’s largest library

Shop

Have fun

"As the Internet [expands], more and more commerce takes place in it. It only makes

sense that more criminal activity would take place, and it does allow this

anonymous ability for criminals to do it.“Greg Regan, U.S. Secret Service

The Internet

• There is an enormous amount of information available on the Internet.

• Think about the type of business, transactions, and information-sharing you conduct online.

How Much Information Is Truly Available?

As a result of the Internet, criminals have found a new place to prowl.

Within the last five years, cybercrime has really grown.

Crime Fighting Goes Online

In 2006, the FBI Computer Crime Survey estimated annual

losses from all types of computer crime at $67 billion a

year!

The Numbers• 81% of our home computers lack basic protection.

– AOL and the National Cyber Security Alliance, Online Safety Study, December 2005

• Each time someone is caught by a phishing scam, it costs about $850. – Consumer Reports, State of the Net 2006, August 2006

• Last year, identity theft hurt 8.9 million Americans and cost each victim an average of $6,383. – Javelin Strategy and Research, 2006 Identity Fraud Survey Consumer Report

Identity Theft

What Is Identity Theft?

• Stealing the identity of another person and using it to conduct a variety of activities

• The intent is to use that identity for personal gain, generally with the intent to defraud others by establishing credit, running up debt, or taking over existing financial accounts

Why Worry About Identity Theft?• One in 33 households discovered at least one

instance of identity theft during the last 6 months.

• Households headed by persons ages 18–24 and households with the highest incomes were the most likely victims of identity theft.

• One in five victimized households spent at least one month resolving problems resulting from Identity theft.

(Source: First Estimates from the National Crime Victimization Survey, Identity Theft, 2004, Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin)

Where and How Do Criminals Get My Information?

• Theft (or “borrowing”) of your wallet, purse, or personal files, most often by someone you know

• Telephone calls asking you to “update records”

• Theft of incoming bills showing account numbers

• Theft of outgoing mail and bill payments

Where and How Do Criminals Get My Information? (continued)

• Redirected mail • Phishing• Rummaging through trash• Discarded or unattended credit card receipts• Second impressions of credit cards • If your mail is delivered to a place where

others can easily access it

How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

• Do not give out personal information.• Shred all documents that contain personal

information or keep them locked in a cabinet.• Minimize the number of identification cards you

carry.• Protect your Social Security Number

Don’t risk it, shred it

How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft (continued)

• Protect your computer from online intruders

• Install firewalls• Install antivirus software• Avoid free stuff• Keep your security programs up-to-date• Create complex usernames and passwords

How to Prevent Identity Theft(continued)

• Be careful about phone card and ATM machine usage

• Protect your credit card number(s)• Make a list or make a photocopy of all your

credit cards, both sides.

• Order your free credit reports at annualcreditreport.com

Steps to Take if You Are a Victim

• Place a fraud alert on your credit reports, and review your credit reports

• Close the accounts that you believe have been compromised or opened

• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, www.ftc.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338);

• File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.

Your InternetService Provider

(ISP)

Facts About Your ISP

• People can find out details about your Internet presence by using an old UNIX command known as "finger.”

• “Finger” allows people to ask your ISP who its customers are.

• Check your contract with your ISP to make sure that it won't sell your information to others.

Newsgroups,Personal Web Pages, and

Web Browsing

What Is a Newsgroup or Blog?

• A newsgroup is a discussion group that focuses on a particular topic.

• Blogs have replaced some of the uses of newsgroups.

Bloggers Beware• Posting a message to a newsgroup or blog lets

everyone in the world know that you exist, as well as what some of your specific interests are.

• If you have a signature file that includes your address and telephone number, everyone has access to that data.

• These messages stay on the Internet for an indefinite period of time.

Personal Webpages• Many people have personal webpages that list

details about their jobs, interests, email addresses, and their families.

• Try to limit the personal information and pictures on your webpage. Remember, the information is available for the entire world to see.

• Companies that want to spam you now have access to that information.

Web Browsing

• Web browsing leaves tracks all over cyberspace, considered live “footprints.” Whenever you visit a website, the site records that you were there.

• Consider configuring your web browser to ask you before accepting cookies.

• Sometimes a site asks you to volunteer personal information. Should you give it, assume that the information is available to the world.

• Web browsers maintain a cache file that keeps the recent images and text that you have viewed, similar to your history files on your personal computer.

What is Spyware?

What Is Spyware and How Does It Work?

• Spyware, also called adware, is software that is designed to track your every move online through a variety of techniques including

• Recording your keystrokes• Tracking the websites you visit• Stealing your online passwords• Burying you with pop-up advertisements

Results of Spyware?

• Loss of privacy• More advertising• Home page hijacking• Reduced performance• Security risks• System instability

How to Protect Yourself From Spyware

• Install a program to block spyware• Install a program to remove spyware• Avoid pop-ups• Avoid the “free” stuff • Take advantage of your Internet Service

Provider’s free downloads

Protecting Yourself From

Spam and Phishing

What Is Spam?

• Spam is the abuse of electronic messaging systems to send unsolicited, undesired bulk messages.

• The most common format of spam is via email.

• Spam email topics include low-cost drugs, investment scams, and porn.

• Phishing is email that steals.

Tips to Protect and Limit Spam

• Maintain a spam email account.

• Never reply to phishing emails.

• Don't open spam emails.• Screen for spam. • Get a spam filter. • Get unlisted.

Email Protection Tips

How Many Email Addresses Should I Have?

• Many…

• Personal: For friends and family• Business: For coworkers and business

associates• Secure: For secure information• Disposable: For spamming sites

E-mail Protection: Encryption

If you want to prevent people from reading your email messages

(and files on your computer), you can

get an email and data encryption software

package

Shopping SafelyOnline

Online Shopping Tips• Shop with companies you

know and always initiate the transaction

• Keep your password private• Use a secure browser• Pay by credit card• Keep personal information

private• Save all transaction

information

OnlineAuctionFraud

Facts About Online Auctions

• Millions of people take part in Internet auctions every day.

• According to the National Consumers League, online auction fraud is the number one fraud committed over the Internet, with an average loss of $1,331 per consumer.

Source: National Consumers League, 2006 Survey

www.nclnet.org

How Auction Fraud Works

• Failure to deliver goods• Nonpayment for goods delivered • Misrepresentation of the merchandise• Hidden charges• Fake bidding• Credit card fraud• Black market goods• Bogus escrow services

Online Auction Safety Tips

• Understand how the auction works• Check out the seller before you bid• Be careful if the seller is a private individual• Be cautious if the seller is from another country• Beware of “shills”

Online Auction Safety Tips(continued)

• Be wary of claims about collectibles and other expensive items

• Ask about delivery, returns, warranties, and service before you pay

• Look for information on the auction site about insurance

• Pay by credit card• Look for bonded sellers

Online Auction Safety Tips (continued)

• Consider using an escrow service for expensive purchases

• Try mediation to resolve disputes• Inform auction sites about suspected fraud

Source: National Consumers League’s Internet Fraud Watch

www.fraud.org

General Safety Tips When

Computing atHome

Home Computing Safety Tips Overview

• Secure your computer

• Use a website rating service

• Safeguard private information

• Turn on parental controls

• Consider biometric security

General Safety Tips When

Computing Wireless

Wireless Safety Tips Overview

• Get wireless protection

• Have complete, updated security suites

• Obtain a virtual private network

• Use computer locks

• Obtain biometric security

RisksWhen You’re Remote

Dangers of Wireless

• No wires, no security• As easy as eavesdropping• Beware of rogue hotspots

Safeguards and Solutions

• Encryption is the key.• Avoid connecting to any Wi-Fi network unless

you either know it’s legitimate and secure or you can set up a secure VPN connection.

• Make sure your personal firewall on your laptop is turned on and updated.

• Avoid using websites that require password access when using a wireless hotspot.

• Look around when you are online.• Keep your laptop with you at all times.

Resources

ResourcesNational Crime Prevention Council www.ncpc.org

NCPC has a comprehensive Identity Theft campaign.Learn how you can keep your identity to yourself. Order acopy of Preventing Identity Theft: A Guide for Consumersor download it in PDF format.

Other resources include• Reproducible brochures—Identity Theft (PDF) and

Protecting Your Privacy (PDF)• Article—Evolving With Technology• Newspaper Mats—ID Theft (PDF) and Seniors and Fraud 

Resources

National Crime Prevention Council (continued)

• Public service campaigns that focus on cyber-security and safety

• Partners including the Forum to Advance the Mobile Experience (FAME) and the Chief Marketing Officer Council (CMO Council)

• Download tip sheets and the publication Mind What You Do Online, report Internet crimes, and visit the security store

www.bytecrime.org

ResourcesIdentity Theft

• Identity Theft Resource Centerwww.identitytheft.org

• Justice Department Identity Theftwww.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/websites/idtheft.html

• National Criminal Justice Reference Servicewww.ncjrs.org/spotlight/identity_theft/summary.html

Resources

Internet Safety and Ethics

• CyberAngelswww.cyberangels.org

• GetNetWisewww.getnetwise.org

• Internet Keep Safe Coalitionwww.ikeepsafe.org

• Wired Safetywww.wiredpatrol.org/

ResourcesTelecommunications Fraud

• Federal Trade Commission www.ftc.gov• Federal Communications Commission

www.fcc.gov• National Fraud Information Center

www.fraud.org• National Consumers League

www.nclnet.org

Resources

Safe Home Computing

• About.com

www.netsecurity.about.com

• National Cyber Security Alliance

www.staysafeonline.info

The National Crime Prevention Council

2345 Crystal Drive

Fifth Floor

Arlington, VA 22202

202-466-6272

FAX 202-296-1356

www.ncpc.org

Presenter Contact Information

I NSTI TUTE CR I M I NAL JUSTICE STUDI ESCen ter Safe Com m u n ities & Sch oo ls

TEX AS STATE UNI VERSI TY

I NSTI TUTE CR I M I NAL JUSTICE STUDI ESCen ter Safe Com m u n ities & Sch oo ls

TEX AS STATE UNI VERSI TY

350 N. Guadalupe, Suite 140, PMB 164San Marcos, Texas 78666.

877-304-2727 www.cscs.txstate.edu