Not all data dumps posted online are the real deal. Investigating fake data dumps can detract from a company’s effort to detect a legitimate data breach, so they must educate themselves on whether or not a data dump is fake. Confirming the existence of a username, checking credit formats, and actually contacting one of the victims might save them some time. For a full article on how to sniff out phony data dumps, click here:: Keep Calm & Verify: How to Spot a Fake Online Data Dump
Identity Theft Misconceptions
ID theft is the fastest growing crime in the U.S., but many citizens don’t properly protect themselves due to misconceptions. They believe that avoiding online shopping will protect their information, however over half of identity theft cases happen offline due to card skimming and physical card theft. Most believe that identity theft cases are easily resolved, but in actuality they can take six months to recover if the thief uses your health insurance policy or submits a fraudulent tax filing. For a full article on this topic, click here:: 8 Identity Theft Myths You Should Ignore
Small “Common Sense†Tips to Protect Against Identity Theft
I’m sure the following article contains information many of you have already heard before. I’m also sure that many of you already do the following actions because it is plain common sense. The point is not to be condescending or insulting your intelligence. The point is to ensure common sense prevails and criminals don’t.
Criminals are using very easy-to-prevent methods to steal identities and live the high life off of a stranger’s bank account. A handful of identity thieves have gathered $900,000 alone from simple things such as stealing mail, breaking into automobiles and taking information, and accessing smart phones.
So do the simple things. Put a lock on your mailbox. Change the passwords on your smart devices and online accounts frequently. Never, ever leave your wallet, laptop, or anything else in your car that could compromise your identity. So I hope that you implement these small changes or else big trouble could occur. If you already do these things, then a reminder doesn’t hurt either.
For a full article on this, read here:: How to Get Away with Identity Theft
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Think You Have a Good Password? Confirm with Pipal
Pipal is a new password analyzer tool that rapidly parses passwords and can output stats on the contents. Some of the stats Pipal can provide you include most frequently used password, dates or numbers used, password lengths, most common base words, and more. It can also make recommendations and Hashcat masks.
For a full article on this tool, click here: Pipal – Password Analyzer Tool
Should You Take Stock in Your Brokerage Firm’s Identity Theft Policies?
In light of J.P. Morgan Chase’s recent security breach, many people wonder how protected their accounts truly are. Along with that, if there is a breach and your account has had unauthorized purchases, who is held liable?
The short answer is that most brokers such as Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and Vanguard will recoup losses made from unauthorized transactions. However, there is a catch. The fine print would have to be that the account user has made all the necessary steps to protect the account in the first place.
This is yet another time where you should cover yourself. Make complicated passwords, don’t save them on your computer, and do not share your account information with anyone. Don’t give brokerages an out or else they’ll hold you liable for any breach your account may experience.
For a full article on this, read here:: How to Tell If Your Broker Protects You Against Identity Theft
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