TEMPE, Ariz. -- Designated as National Cyber Security Awareness Month, October is a time for consumers to brush up on cyber security knowledge, especially with regard to identity theft. LifeLock, Inc. (www.lifelock.com), a proactive identity theft protection leader, is arming consumers with the necessary tools and education to protect themselves from tech-savvy identity thieves who are constantly looking for new ways to use their personal information against them.
It is estimated that an identity is stolen every 3 seconds, according to Javelin Strategy & Research, and with the online world at the user's fingertips, it is no wonder consumers may be at greater risk of becoming victimized by this crime. October 2010 marks the seventh annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month - a month focused on developing public awareness and education regarding the importance of online safety and security. Sponsored by the National Cyber Security Alliance, the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center and the Department of Homeland Security, and officially endorsed by LifeLock, this month is dedicated to reaching consumers, schools, businesses and government agencies about the importance of keeping personal assets safe, and the overall security of cyberspace. Each and every consumer's actions have an impact on cyber security, and informing consumers regarding what they can do to keep their computers and data safe is critical.
"Our everyday activities - shopping and banking online, checking email, downloading music - put us at greater risk for becoming victimized by this crime - sometimes, many times, without us even knowing it," said Todd Davis, LifeLock Chairman and CEO. "National Cyber Security Awareness Month is the perfect time for consumers to buckle down and really get a stronger perspective on how to protect our personal information from the bad guys, because they're out there each and every day trying to use it for their personal gain."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in collaboration with the Internet Crime Complaint Center again published its annual report this year showing cybercrime continues to be on the rise. From January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009, the Internet Crime Complaint Center Web site received 336,655 complaint submissions, more than a 22 percent increase from 2008. The vast majority of referred cases contained elements of fraud and involved a financial loss by the complainant, and the total dollar loss from all referred cases was $559 million, more than double what it was in 2008. In addition, internet security giant Symantec's new study shows almost 75 percent of US internet users are cybercrime victims, and according to a Javelin Strategy & Research survey, young adults between 18 and 24 who use social networking sites had a significant spike in fraud or data exposure compared to other age groups. With the risk nearly doubling among this demographic, it is likely the result of young adults freely sharing personal information.
According to the Washington Post, in any given second, nearly 22 million people around the globe are on peer-to-peer file-sharing networks downloading and swapping movies, software, and documents over the Internet. These same networks also provide identity thieves an open door to consumers' personal information. Users of file-sharing networks can inadvertently expose the contents of entire hard drives containing personal information to others on the network. By simply searching for specific keywords, identity thieves are able to access and download personal information of thousands of individuals. LifeLock is the only service currently offering protection from theft via peer-to-peer networks with the LifeLock Command Center[TM] protection suite. This comprehensive service helps put a stop to these online data breaches, and uses the latest advancements in technology to actively search file-sharing networks worldwide for consumers' personal information. When a leak is detected, LifeLock alerts the member with specific details and then takes action to help shut down the breach of information.
LifeLock and the National Cyber Security Alliance together recommend the following tips to consumers that can help protect them from becoming victimized by tech-savvy identity thieves:
* Know protection features like the back of your hand - The Web sites and software your children use have protection features you need to know and know well. Your Internet service provider may have tools to help you manage their online experience, such as being able to select approved Web sites, monitor the amount of time they spend online, even limit the people who can contact them.
* Social privacy - You can and should control the privacy settings of social networking sites, cell phones, and other social tools you and your family use every day. Work together to decide which settings provide the appropriate amount of protection for each child.
* Keep your personal information PERSONAL - Be extremely cautious about how much personal information you freely give away on social networking sites. The more information you post (from status updates to key profile information), the easier it is for a hacker to use that information against you. Don't download peer-to-peer networks such as LimeWire or BearShare, and if you currently have them on your computer, be sure to delete as soon as possible. Thieves can easily access your data and steal your identity.
* Who are your real friends? - Many social networking users become enraptured in the fun of adding a large pool of contacts to their friends list. This can be a dangerous move, and not something you'd typically do in your everyday life. There are tools available to manage the information you share with friends - use them. You can separate friends you share with into different groups or even have multiple online pages for different purposes. Just be sure to keep your personal profile open only to your real friends (the ones you know and trust), especially if you plan to share details about your daily life.
* Don't trust random links - Even links that look like they come from friends or family may actually contain malware or be part of a phishing attack - attempts to collect personal information, such as username and password, by pretending to be a message from a friend or a business. If you have a bad feeling, trust it and don't click!
* Watch for online bullies - Does your child play games online? Make sure they know how to block or report a cyberbully. Tell them to keep a record of the conversation if they are being harassed and encourage them not to engage the bully. Make sure your child's user name does not give away their name, location, gender, age, or any other personal information. Also be sure they're using an avatar, not an actual photo.
About LifeLock
LifeLock, Inc. (www.lifelock.com) is an industry leader in proactive identity theft protection. Since 2005, LifeLock has been providing consumers with the tools and confidence they need to help protect themselves from identity theft. The company has a strong focus on educating consumers and working with law enforcement and elected officials to better understand the increasing threats of identity theft. A multiple award-winning organization, LifeLock has been recognized by Arizona Corporate Excellence as Arizona's Fastest Growing Company, by the American Business Awards as having the Best New Product or Service of the Year for the LifeLock Identity Alert[TM] system, and most recently ranked 8th on Inc. Magazine's 29th Annual Inc. 500 List, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies.
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