Identity Safety
Your personal identity is important as it defines who you are. Your identity includes your personal information; information such as name, address, contact information, bank account, credit card numbers, and social security numbers should all be kept private.
What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft is an illegal crime where an impostor obtains vital and important pieces of personal identifying information, and uses it for their personal pleasure. Information such as Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers. Often a credit card number can be stolen and the identity thief will use it to purchase expensive items at the owner of the card's expense. One's identity can be stolen through stolen mail, a computer virus, online scams, or something as common as a loosing a wallet or throwing away important papers. (2) Due to viruses, cookies, and hackers, information that is sent via internet can be seen by predators. The internet is growing into one of the easiest and most popular ways for one to obtain others' information.
Unfortunately, Identity theft is greatly increasing. The more people use the internet for purchasing items, banking, and publishing personal information, the more common it is for hackers to be able to obtain others' information. Internet Safety Center notes that Identity theft is has grown by over 25% in 3 years with an average increase of 79,000 unfortunate victims per year (1) According to Internet Safety center, "52% of all Identity Theft is through email and 11% is from fake websites.The internet is responsible for 63% of all fraud and identity theft victims" (1). Fortunately, there are several ways to fight against and protect yourself from identity theft.
Unfortunately, Identity theft is greatly increasing. The more people use the internet for purchasing items, banking, and publishing personal information, the more common it is for hackers to be able to obtain others' information. Internet Safety Center notes that Identity theft is has grown by over 25% in 3 years with an average increase of 79,000 unfortunate victims per year (1) According to Internet Safety center, "52% of all Identity Theft is through email and 11% is from fake websites.The internet is responsible for 63% of all fraud and identity theft victims" (1). Fortunately, there are several ways to fight against and protect yourself from identity theft.
Legal Issues Involved
Tips For Students
*Never give out your adress to people who you do not know.
*Never publish your personal information on public sites such as chat rooms, blogs, or even Facebook. *Try keeping as much personal information private on social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter *The best safety/privacy option on Facebook is the "Only Friends" option. This only give friends you approve of access to your profile and see your personal information. *Do not open suspicious emails Tips for Educators
*Teach students the importance of keeping their personal information private. Warn them of the dangers of identity theft.
*Have students create a safety precaution list of the several ways they can stay safe on the internet *Monitor the internet websites that students have access to *Teach students of the dangers of viruses and opening suspicious emails. Click Here if you have been or are a victim of Identity Theft
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Tips For Parents
*Talk with your children about the importance of keeping personal information private. Explain to them what Identity theft is and how they can prevent it from occuring. Set some internet rules pertaining to what websites your child is allowed to access.
*For a cost, obtain an Identity Theft program that protects your computer's privacy. For example, TrustedID Identity Theft protection offters protection against identity theft. According to their website, "TrustedID works with credit agencies and continuously monitor black markets to assure your identity is safe" (3). Life Lock is also another online Identity Theft prevention program that keeps your information private and protect your computer from hackers and predators. *Set internet rules with your children. Let them know the trusted websites they are allowed to access and which ones they cannot |
Resources:
1. http://internetsafetycenter.com/identity-theft-facts-identity-theft
2. http://www.idtheftcenter.org
3. https://www.trustedid.com/cmalp9.php?promoRefCode=MLTVCMALP9TID&gclid=CPS09onpo7cCFS9dQgodqVIAJA
Also Visit:
2. http://www.idtheftcenter.org
3. https://www.trustedid.com/cmalp9.php?promoRefCode=MLTVCMALP9TID&gclid=CPS09onpo7cCFS9dQgodqVIAJA
Also Visit:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft
http://www.webroot.com/En_US/consumer/articles/malware-identity-theft
