Blogs»
Protect Your Privacy By Changing Privacy Settings on WordPress
WordPress blog visibility settings offer three levels of privacy for your blog. The default setting allows everyone, including search engines, to access your blog. The second, more limited setting, blocks search engines from crawling your blog, and requires users to input your URL directly. If you’d like to make your WordPress blog completely private, the [...]
Checking Online Identity»
Child Identity Theft: Warning Signs and Action Steps
Identity theft affects people of all ages, including children. In fact, some identity thieves prefer to use a child’s personal information, rather than an adult’s, because while many adults keep track of their credit, most do not monitor their child’s credit in any way. Luckily, there are simple warning signs that your child might be [...]
Credit Monitoring»
How to Report Identity Theft
If you notice signs suggesting you are the victim of identity theft, take the following steps as soon as possible. Start a file. You’ll need to keep records of all your identity theft-related correspondence, receipts, and your original police and identity theft reports, etc. Call any of the three major credit bureaus, report that you [...]
Data Breach»
The Debate Over Data Notification Laws Returns
In light of the recent data breaches at corporations including Sony, Citigroup, Groupon India, Infragard, Fox.com, PBS, et al, federal lawmakers have found renewed interest in debating the merits of federal data breach notification laws. Most states have passed data breach notification laws, but proponents of a national law argue that making the data breach [...]
Facebook»
New Facebook Privacy Changes and Settings
It looks like online privacy has received a shot in the arm from the top dog of social media. Earlier this week, Facebook announced they are making several changes that will make it clearer with whom you are sharing photos, status updates, locations and tags. In fact, it’s one of the biggest privacy overhauls in [...]
Financial Identity Theft»
Security Tools to Protect Finances from Fraud
Prior to the Internet, financial accounts were maintained at your local bank. Photo identification such as a driver’s license was required for large transactions, and your identity was protected in part by being recognized by the people with whom you regularly conducted business. Now, in the digital age, your financial accounts are accessible from anywhere [...]
Financial Privacy»
IRS Reports a Significant Increase in Taxpayer Identity Thefts
A recent report released by the IRS concerning tax records for the 2010 tax year, reveals a significant increase in the number of identity theft reports received. In 2008, there were 51,702 identity theft reports. In 2009, the number more than tripled to 169,087. And, in 2010, individuals reported a staggering 245,000 incidents. According to [...]
Identity Theft»
‘Tis The Season to Be….Extra Careful Online
Holiday cheer is everywhere and cyberspace is no exception. We here at myID wish you and your family all the joys of the season. But in our year round pursuit of protecting you online, we want to make sure you are aware of the Grinches who may be lurking out there. Unfortunately, those with not [...]
Identity Theft Protection»
The Power of Passphrases
Computer security professionals have long faced a dilemma when it comes to password security. If passwords are too small or easy to remember, they can be quickly hacked by a determined attacker. On the other hand, passwords that are too complex are often written down on post-it notes, making them ineffective against people with physical [...]
Linkedin»
Adjusting Privacy Settings on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a social networking site for employees and employers. It helps job-seekers “put themselves out there” and brings them a step closer to new career opportunities. But, it’s still important to protect your privacy and control who sees your information on LinkedIn. Learn how to protect your privacy through the use of the LinkedIn’s privacy settings.
Online Dating Sites»
Top 10 Safety Tips for Online Dating
If you’re single, you may be using online dating services to meet that special someone. After all, it has become common practice and there’s definitely something thrilling about connecting with somebody online and then meeting him or her in-person for the first time. Cyber-romance is here to stay, so keep these safety tips in mind [...]
Personal Identity Theft»
Civilian Monitoring Organization Becomes Sony Hackers’ Latest Target
Civilian Monitoring Organization Becomes Sony Hackers’ Latest Target LulzSec, the group of hackers responsible for the recent Sony data breach, have taken credit for this week’s successful hack of InfraGard, an FBI-affiliated private-sector organization that connects businesses, academic institutions, and law enforcement to the FBI through information sharing, analysis efforts, and a common goal to [...]
Personal Privacy»
Creating Ultra Secure & Memorable Passwords
Creating ultra secure passwords that can be easily remembered isn’t as hard as you may think. You probably find yourself mixing up characters and numbers and capitalizations to create words that are unique. Many websites force you to add these numbers and special characters as a tactic to keep your account from being hacked. This [...]
Privacy»
One More Resolution to Make…Stay Safe Online in 2012
As we settled into 2012, New Year’s resolutions have been made…and hopefully not yet broken. Even though we’re almost half way through January, we propose you add one more resolution to your list of life improvements to this year and beyond –new habits to help protect yourself against identity theft. With input from the Identity [...]
Privacy Protection»
Personal Information Privacy: What Does the Government Know About You?
Surveys report that the average American is worried about personal information privacy. For good reason, too – newly declassified files detail massive FBI efforts at data-mining. Carl Caldwell, the president of Right-to-Know, released the following statement: “FBI files can begin with records as simple as bankruptcy, Veteran Administration activities, income tax difficulties, and passport and [...]
Reputation»
Online Reputation Management: Keeping Your Reputation Safe From an Angry Ex
The end of a relationship can be a tense and drama-filled time. With soapboxes like Facebook and personal blogs, a vengeful ex often has the motivation and opportunity to irrevocably damage your reputation. These days, first impressions are made online. States author Michael Fertik, “The first ten Google results on a search of your name [...]
Safety»
FBI Shuts Down Global Network of Cyber Criminals
The FBI won a major victory against cyber crime recently when a U.S. judge issued a warrant allowing them to seize a number of computers inside the U.S. that served as control centers for an international botnet ring dubbed Coreflood which had been previously used to commit millions of dollars worth of fraudulent bank wires. [...]
Social Network Privacy»
Twitter Privacy Tips
Posting messages to your public Twitter feed means two things for your privacy. First, your followers can see the message immediately (and sometimes even if you later delete it) and second, third party applications may archive and display your feed for years to come. You can protect your privacy by logging into Twitter and changing [...]
Tips»
Be Smart When Using Your Smartphone
Beware! Cyber criminals have a new target – smartphones. As more and more people switch to smartphones for everything from surfing the internet, paying bills to downloading apps – they also take on the same kind of security threats faced when using a computer. The personal information that is stored in these devices is subject [...]
Entries (RSS)