Back to School Security Tips to Protect Your Identity
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
NEW YORK, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Millions of Americans will be returning
to school and many now use computers in the classroom and home. Computers are
one of the largest and potentially risky sources of personal information. (234
million records have been exposed due to breaches since 2005.) If stolen, your
personally identifiable information can easily lead to identity theft.
Statistics show close to a million -- if not more -- laptops are stolen
each year. Once a hacker has your laptop, they will siphon any data they find
on it and potentially sell your identity online. Schools are traditionally
unprotected environments. Keeping your personal information secure is a
critical responsibility because losing that information can impact you for the
rest of your life.
The makers of identity theft prevention software, Identity Finder
(http://www.identityfinder.com), here provide tips to help protect your
identity at school:
1. Don't store personal information unprotected: By securing your identity
wherever it exists on your computer, you prevent your identity from being
stolen, even if your computer is.
2. Don't share personal information: When using Facebook and other social
networks, do not share your Date of Birth or personal details with anyone.
3. Don't assume your school is protecting you: Most college networks are
unprotected, thereby allowing a host of malicious programs to reach you
through the Internet.
4. Protect your password: Your password is now a form of your identity and
can be used to access your computer, your online bank account, etc. Make sure
it is at least seven characters, contains numbers, and upper and lowercase
letters.
5. Configure peer-to-peer file sharing programs securely: You might
download music and movies using file sharing programs, but these programs may
also allow people to steal your private data such as financial aid documents.
Configure them not to expose personal folders.
6. Install software updates and fixes often: Always update Windows and
Mac, your web browsers, and multimedia applications such as Apple Quicktime
and Adobe Flash, as soon as possible after companies release them. These fixes
plug holes that hackers already know how to exploit to gain access to your
files.
7. Don't leave your laptop unattended at the library or cafeteria: Even
with security cables, the hard drive that stores all your data can be easily
removed. Take your laptop with you.
8. Don't click on email messages that contain hyperlinks to websites: Many
new friends will be emailing you and you might be more trusting of unknown
messages in the first few weeks of the semester. Phishing attacks are
increasingly common so close email messages with links from unknown people and
type them manually.
9. Never enter private information on public computers such as in the
library or classroom: These systems may have a keylogger or spyware capturing
everything you type. Use your personal computer to access sensitive websites.
10. Don't let the school use your SSN as a Student ID: Social Security
Numbers are personal and confidential; don't let your registrar use it as an
SID!
About Identity Finder:
The Identity Finder software searches through files and e-mails for
personal information -- such as social security numbers, passwords, and credit
card details -- and helps users securely shred or encrypt the data. Identity
Finder, LLC is a leading niche innovator of security and privacy technologies.
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in New York City, the company specializes in
developing software solutions that meet business and consumer needs. The
company's products have been used by thousands of organizations in more than
40 countries.
Contact:
Fern Edison: fern@erichopr.com (845-679-6319)
http://www.identityfinder.com
This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information,
visit http://www.ereleases.com
SOURCE Identity Finder, LLC
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