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Identity Theft Articles
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- Do You Know How to Use a Knife for Survival? - by Submitted on Apr 04, 2018 from Robert SicilianoUsing a knife in a survival situation is a skill that can mean the difference between life and death. But, you have to know how to use the knife. Here is some information: Knife Safety: Carry a fixed-blade knife if you are going outdoors. It is less likely to get broken Always keep a ...
Views: 805 - Don't Overlook Basement Security - by Submitted on Mar 29, 2018 from Robert SicilianoIf you are like most of us, you probably don’t think much about the security of your basement. However, you might want to start doing that. Why? Because burglars love to get into homes by crawling into the basement. They know that most people don’t put a lot of security there, so it ...
Views: 716 - 45 Home Security Tips That Help to Keep Burglars Away - by Submitted on Mar 20, 2018 from Robert SicilianoIf you have a home, you should be worried about burglars. Here are 44 home security tips that you can use to keep the burglars away: Keep your doors locked all of the time. Use a deadbolt on every door. Don’t leave ladders outside. Teach young kids NOT to answer the door. Make ...
Views: 830(1 vote) - Use a Password Manager Or You WILL Get Hacked - by Submitted on Mar 19, 2018 from Robert SicilianoDo you ever use the same password over and over again for different accounts? If so, you are not alone. However, this is quite dangerous. It’s best to use a different, unique password for each account, and to make it easier, you should use a password manager. According to surveys, ...
Views: 774 - Employees Are Biggest Threat to Healthcare Data Security - by Submitted on Mar 15, 2018 from Michael PetersHealthcare data security is under attack from the inside. While insider threats — due to employee error, carelessness, or malicious intent — are a problem in every industry, they are a particular pox on healthcare data security. Two recent reports illustrate the gravity of the ...
Views: 1043 - Is Your Bugout Bag Ready to Go? - by Submitted on Mar 14, 2018 from Robert SicilianoIt seems like there have been a number of natural disasters hitting the US over the past couple of years…hurricanes, wild fires, floods…the list goes on. If you are caught in the face of a survival emergency, do you have supplies? Consider a bugout bag. These are sacks that you can ...
Views: 691 - Protecting Yourself from a Data Breach requires Two Step Authentication - by Submitted on Mar 08, 2018 from Robert SicilianoHave you ever thought about how a data breach could affect you personally? What about your business? Either way, it can be devastating. Fortunately, there are ways that you can protect your personal or business data, and it’s easier than you think. Don’t assume that protecting ...
Views: 736 - Tax Phishing Scams Are Back: Here Are 3 to Watch Out For - by Submitted on Mar 07, 2018 from Michael PetersTax season is stressful enough without having to worry about becoming the victim of a cyber crime. Here are three different tax phishing scams targeting employers, individuals, and even tax preparers that are currently making the rounds. Employers: W-2 Phishing Emails The W-2 phishing ...
Views: 980 - Should You Fight or Take a Flight When Being Attacked? - by Submitted on Mar 06, 2018 from Robert SicilianoI am a big believer that people should run away from an attacker. If a bad guy gets into your home and he often wants to cause you pain, RUN as quickly as you can to the nearest door. If you are in a corner or you have to protect a loved one, you might have to fight him. Most of us are taught ...
Views: 655 - 14 Social Media Disasters Ready to Strike - by Submitted on Mar 02, 2018 from Robert SicilianoThere are many ways that you or a small business could get caught up in a social media disaster. Can you think of any off the top of your head? If you are like most of us, probably not. Here are 14 ways that you could be in danger: A Terrible Online Reputation – Do you keep a watchful ...
Views: 877 - Understanding and Stopping Criminal Identity Theft - by Submitted on Feb 23, 2018 from Robert SicilianoThe definition of criminal identity theft is a crime where the criminal impersonates the victim in order to protect their innocence. This can lead to victims getting fines or even getting arrested and charged for crimes they did not commit. How Does This Happen? There are a number of ways ...
Views: 656 - Storing Water for Survival - by Submitted on Feb 13, 2018 from Robert SicilianoDo you think you know all there is to know about water storage? Most people think they have a good grasp on it, but they are in for a bit surprise. Below, there is a lot of information about storing water that might contradict what you think you know: Storing Barrels – You can keep ...
Views: 712 - Top 10 Signs of a Malware Infection on Your Computer - by Submitted on Feb 08, 2018 from Robert SicilianoNot all viruses that find their way onto your computer dramatically crash your machine. Instead, there are viruses that can run in the background without you even realizing it. As they creep around, they make messes, steal, and much worse. Malware today spies on your every move. It sees the ...
Views: 725 - The Natural Predatory Nature of Humans - by Submitted on Feb 06, 2018 from Robert SicilianoA study published in Nature shows us that both evolution and genetics have made a big impact on the behavior of humans…including in the case of murder. However, as we have become more civilized, these instincts have been muted. Scientists have looked at the rate of homicide in more ...
Views: 904 - Get a Credit Freeze NOW Before it's Too Late! - by Submitted on Feb 01, 2018 from Robert SicilianoWhat is a credit freeze? It’s an action you take to lock down your credit report. A lender can’t see your score, which means your Social Security number and credit rating is useless to them. In other words, they can’t tell if you are risky or not. When an identity thief can ...
Views: 1149 - FINRA: Cyber Security Still a Major Threat to Broker-Dealers - by Submitted on Jan 26, 2018 from Michael PetersLatest FINRA Examination Findings Reveal That Firms Have Made Progress with Cyber Security, but Problems Remain Cyber security remains “one of the principal operational risks facing broker-dealers,” according to FINRA’s 2017 Examination Findings Report, and while progress has been made, many ...
Views: 810 - Protecting Your Parents from Identity Theft - by Submitted on Jan 25, 2018 from Robert SicilianoAccording to statistics, those who are 50-years old and older, like 65-85, are often targets of identity thieves. The bad guys have no issue taking advantage of your parents. They violate their trust, and understand that they are often naïve about the internet and scammy phone callls. Cyber ...
Views: 692 - 40 Practical Tips to Keep You Home Safe and Secure - by Submitted on Jan 24, 2018 from Robert SicilianoYou have undoubtedly seen tips for protecting your home, but you might not have seen them all. In no particular order, here are 40 tips that you can use today to keep professional burglars from targeting your home and keep safe from hazards: Install a peephole. Keep your doors locked ...
Views: 805 - 10 Surefire Staff Security Awareness Techniques - by Submitted on Jan 18, 2018 from Robert SicilianoThink about how great this would be: Imagine that all of your company data is safe from hackers. Your hardware is totally safe and secure. You have IT specialists at your disposal at all times and have a constant flow of cash to pay them. Unfortunately, this is a fantasy for most of us. No ...
Views: 869 - Take the Extra Step: 12 Ways to Protect Your Home from Burglars - by Submitted on Jan 16, 2018 from Robert SicilianoThough you cannot totally protect your home from getting burgled, you would probably be surprised to know that there are no burglars that are as sophisticated as someone like Ethan Hunt from the Mission Impossible movies. However, when you have the right plan in place, you can almost make your ...
Views: 800 - Top 10 Tips for Securing Your Mobile Devices and Sensitive Client Data - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2018 from Robert SicilianoDo you have employees who bring mobile phones to work and use those devices on the corporate network? Do they store company data on these “Bring Your Own Devices (BYOD)”?? Does your company have a policy in place for this? First, the moment a person brings in their personal phone ...
Views: 710 - The Top 7 Things You Need in Your Survival Kit - by Submitted on Jan 09, 2018 from Robert SicilianoImagine that you are in the middle of nowhere for a few days, or that you are stuck in your home after a disaster, like a hurricane. What do you need to survive? Here are several things that you should have available. Remember, this is only a basic list; things that you might pack in a “go ...
Views: 806 - Your Social Security Card Gets Stolen: Now What? - by Submitted on Jan 04, 2018 from Robert SicilianoYou might be shocked to know that when Social Security numbers were first given in the 1930s, the intention was never to use them as a form of identification. However, most of us use our Social Security numbers all of the time, from doing transactions at the bank to visiting our doctor’s ...
Views: 739 - Why You Should Take a Woman's Self-Defense Class - by Submitted on Jan 02, 2018 from Robert SicilianoMany crimes against women are categorized as “crimes of opportunity.” The attacker doesn’t seem to care if the chance to attack comes in a large, busy city or in a small, sleepy town. If he sees a woman and he has intentions of attacking, he’s going to ...
Views: 663 - Do You Really Need Identity Theft Protection or is it a Waste of Money? - by Submitted on Dec 20, 2017 from Robert SicilianoI see a ton of articles that say identity theft protection is not something you really need. These articles have titles like “ID Theft Protection Does Not Work,” or “The Poor Man’s Guide to ID Theft Protection.” Though some of these articles have a bit of merit, ...
Views: 0 - Do You Really Need Identity Theft Protection or is it a Waste of Money? - by Submitted on Dec 20, 2017 from Robert SicilianoI see a ton of articles that say identity theft protection is not something you really need. These articles have titles like “ID Theft Protection Does Not Work,” or “The Poor Man’s Guide to ID Theft Protection.” Though some of these articles have a bit of merit, ...
Views: 2742 - Security is Layered – There is NO Home Security Magic Bullet - by Submitted on Nov 15, 2017 from Robert SicilianoIs your home secure? You might believe it is, but if you aren’t using layered security, it’s probably not as secure as you think. What’s layered security? It means that you aren’t putting all of your eggs in one security basket. Instead, you are using multiple methods to ensure that you are as ...
Views: 687 - Six Cyber Security Best Practices for People and Businesses - by Submitted on Sep 20, 2017 from Michael PetersHacks do not happen in a vacuum; if one computer on a network is compromised, all machines on that network are at risk. For this reason, both enterprises and individuals have a responsibility to implement cyber security best practices – and this does not mean installing anti-virus software and a ...
Views: 1014 - Securing Your Home's Door: Secrets Your Locksmith Won't Tell You - by Submitted on Sep 18, 2017 from Robert SicilianoAre you making a big home security mistake? If you are leaving your doors unlocked, or if you are using low quality lock systems, you are putting yourself…and your home…at risk. However, just because your door is locked, it doesn’t mean that a burglar can’t kick the ...
Views: 774 - Equifax Breach Compromises Half of U.S. Population - by Submitted on Sep 15, 2017 from Michael PetersThe Equifax breach isn’t the largest data breach, but it is one of the most troubling because of its massive scope, the nature of the information stolen, and the absolutely awful way in which it was handled. While Hurricane Irma dominated the national news late last week, a man-made disaster ...
Views: 1489 - Equifax Exposed: Major Breach of Data from Major Credit Bureau - by Submitted on Sep 08, 2017 from Robert SicilianoIf you haven’t yet heard, Equifax, one of the three major credit bureaus in the United States, has been hacked. What does this mean for you? It means that your Social Security number, and possibly even your driver’s license information, could be in the hands of hackers. Some are ...
Views: 891 - How Hackers Hack – Semalt Expert Concerns - by Submitted on Aug 16, 2017 from Megha ParikhIn every online factor involving a server, there is usually a risk of hacking. The Internet includes a user sending and receiving of information to a server. As a result, most of the web development focuses on the user and not the stability of the system. For this reason, people create an ...
Views: 3399 - How to Protect Your Business from Cyber Crime - by Submitted on Aug 08, 2017 from Susan FriesenIs your business secure? It may not be. Many unscrupulous individuals are operating online looking for new ways to exploit honest people. I was recently pulled into a scam enacted by someone yet to be identified via a freelance work website. Because of how personally this affected me and my ...
Views: 1333 - What Was Scary About Blackhat 2017? - by Submitted on Aug 02, 2017 from Robert SicilianoAs you might know, at the end of July, all types of hackers came to Las Vegas to attend Blackhat 2017. During the conference, some pretty scary hacks were exposed, and we can all take this as a lesson on what we are up against in this technology-heavy world. Here are some of the scariest hacks ...
Views: 875 - Black Hat 2017 was an Amazing Event - by Submitted on Jul 29, 2017 from Robert SicilianoIn July, more than 15,000 security pros, hackers, hobbyists, and researchers met in Las Vegas for the Black Hat Conference 2017 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. This was the 20th year that the security conference was held, and both black and white hat hackers joined together to discuss ...
Views: 938 - Blackhat Hackers Love Office Printers - by Submitted on Jul 28, 2017 from Robert SicilianoThe term, or in this case the word “blackhat” in tech generally refers to a criminal hacker. The opposite of black is white and a “whitehat” is a security professional. These terms originate from the “spaghetti western” movies when the bad guy cowboy wore a ...
Views: 845 - ISPs invading Subscriber's Privacy - by Submitted on Jul 26, 2017 from Robert SicilianoIt’s hard to keep track of the news of politics these days, and even if you can, how do you know it’s even real? The political landscape has greatly changed since January, and there have been a lot of laws passed that will affect us all, including the repeal of a law that protected ...
Views: 848 - Please Help Me Fix My Computer - by Submitted on Jul 24, 2017 from qurrat khanAbout a year ago, I said the exact same statement, "Help me fix my computer for free." While I would have normally be willing to pay just to have my computer fixed, the problem was I was heavily cash strapped and I really did not have any budget for my computer. So I told that same phrase to a ...
Views: 1009 - Protect Your Mobile from Hackers - by Submitted on Jul 19, 2017 from Robert SicilianoIf you are like most of us, you probably have a password, antivirus program, and a firewall for your home computer to protect it from hackers. Are you doing the same thing for your phone? From 2015 to 2016 malware infections on smartphones swelled by 96%, and about 71% of the smartphones out ...
Views: 871 - 7 Ways to Prevent Getting Locked Out of Your Home - by Submitted on Jul 12, 2017 from Robert SicilianoBe honest. Do you have a key to your house under your doormat or a flowerpot? If you do, you might as well put a sign out that says “Come rob me.” This isn’t to say you shouldn’t have a key somewhere, though. After all, you might need it one of these days. However, there ...
Views: 789 - Are you Scam Aware or a Sitting Duck? - by Submitted on Jul 05, 2017 from Robert SicilianoYou might have heard about all of the scams out there, and think that you are pretty scam savvy. But, the truth is, most of us aren’t, and even a simple phone call could get you caught up in a big scam. One such scam occurs when criminals call random phone numbers and ask questions, ...
Views: 796 - How to Delete Yourself from Social Media - by Submitted on Jul 05, 2017 from Robert SicilianoHave you been thinking that it’s time to make the drastic choice to remove yourself from social media? Most of us were quick to join the social media bandwagon, but these days, you might have worries about privacy. Though it’s possible to delete yourself from social media, the ...
Views: 873 - Half of American Adults on FBIs Biometric Database - by Submitted on Jun 21, 2017 from Robert SicilianoHere’s a bit of a shock for you: about half of all adult Americans have a photograph stored in the FBI facial recognition database. What’s even more shocking, it is that these photos are being stored without the consent of the individuals. Approximately 80 percent of the photos the ...
Views: 741 - The Proverbial Identity Theft Bus Will Run You Over! - by Submitted on Jun 14, 2017 from Michael PetersThink about a time when you had a single credit card lost or stolen, and how much of a pain that experience was. Now imagine if your entire wallet was lost or stolen and the exponential magnitude of pain in the patootie that would be for you. Run Over by the Bus If you are a subscriber to ...
Views: 1032 - Getting Owned or Pwned SUCKS! - by Submitted on Jun 13, 2017 from Robert SicilianoA well done New York Times article recently re-introduced this topic to the masses. Being “owned” isn’t new, but the term is not becoming part of popular culture. If you use the internet or are often on social media, odds are good that you have been OWNED. Whether you are ...
Views: 824 - Smart and Easy Ways to Protect Your Digital Life - by Submitted on Jun 06, 2017 from Robert SicilianoEven if you don’t realize it, your identity is all over the internet. Whether you posted to an internet forum in 1996 or you ever had a MySpace page, this information is still out there, and you have to protect it. Here are some simple and easy ways that you can protect your digital ...
Views: 775 - Busting Down the Door: 12 Ways to Stop Burglars from Entering Your Home - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2017 from Robert SicilianoThere is no such thing as a home that is fully burglar-proof, but there is also no such thing as burglars who have the skills of Ethan Hunt from Mission Impossible. With the right security in place, you can get your home almost burglar-proof. When most people think of security, they only ...
Views: 1135 - Hire an Ethical Hacker NOW! - by Submitted on May 30, 2017 from Robert SicilianoYou might think it’s crazy to actually hire a hacker, but if you don’t have an ethical hacker on your security team, you could be playing a dangerous game. Ethical hackers are called “white hat hackers” and are legal hackers, that help businesses find security problems ...
Views: 800 - The Best Gmail Phishing Scam Ever! - by Submitted on May 24, 2017 from Robert SicilianoIf you use Gmail, pay attention! Security experts have announced that there is a very effective phishing scam out there, and you are a target. This scam, which has only been growing over the past couple of months, is also hitting other email providers, too. However, it’s quite difficult to ...
Views: 779 - Top 12 Tips to Destroy Your Sensitive Data - by Submitted on May 18, 2017 from Robert SicilianoBelieve it or not, you just can’t shred too much. If you aren’t destroying your sensitive data, my best advice is for you to start now. There are people out there who make a living diving into dumpsters in search of credit card info, bank account number, mortgage statements, and ...
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