Homer's PSA's

[Homer]

What's Homer's PSA's? A PSA is a Public Service Announcement. In this thread I will be posting information about the latest internet scams. I hope you all find the information useful.

Here's the first one.....

February 23, Potomac News (MD) - Fake Social Security site part of scam.

As consumers become savvier to such "phishing" scams, scammers are creating more complex ways of gaining personal information including bank account, Social Security and personal identification numbers. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is warning people about a recent e-mail that asked for personal information through a link to a site that replicates a slightly altered version of its official Website. "What was unique about this situation was that when you clicked on the link, it took you to a clone of [SSA's] Website," said Mark Lassiter, SSA spokesperson. The government agency found out about the scam Friday, February 17 from people who were unsure if the e-mail was a legitimate request, Lassiter said. The e-mail in this case shared neither the www.ssa.gov or the www.socialsecurity.gov URL that Lassiter said are used to access the official Website. Social Security is not known to make many press releases, Lassiter said, but added that the severity of the situation warranted a quick turn-around. "We released the information within a couple hours of finding out," he said.

[Bree]

Thanks Homer and I think this is a great new Topic.  It will be very helpful to all of us.   O0 O0

[Homer]

As you can see from the article below, disposing of your old computer can expose you to identity theft. To be safe you need to remove the hard drive and destroy it  with a hammer. If you want to sell the computer with the hard drive still in it you will have to buy a military grade disk wiper program for about $30. Second-hand computers pose identity theft threat. A new identity theft study conducted by University of Leicester criminologist Professor Martin Gill found that second-hand computers -- which account for one in 12 computers in use worldwide -- can be a potential treasure trove of personal information -- putting users at risk of fraud and identity theft. The researchers purchased six used computers and conducted a forensic data analysis on each. Half of the computers had in fact not been securely wiped. In one case there had been no attempt to wipe the contents whatsoever. Gill said, "The fact that we found so much personal information through a focused study indicates that the potential for fraud and identity theft from the second hand PC market is huge...Simply re-formatting a hard drive is not enough to make data irretrievable. Anyone disposing of a personal computer must ensure that all data is securely wiped using specialist software to wipe over every sector of the hard drive." Among the data retrieved included: bank account details; correspondence with a bank noting change of e-mail address; sensitive information, including a spreadsheet which contained details of creditors, payroll, and the names and addresses of past and present business customers.

[Helen]

Good idea Homer, thanks for the info and the new topic.  ;)

[Helen]

As you can see from the article below, disposing of your old computer can expose you to identity theft. To be safe you need to remove the hard drive and destroy it  with a hammer. If you want to sell the computer with the hard drive still in it you will have to buy a military grade disk wiper program for about $30. Second-hand computers pose identity theft threat. A new identity theft study conducted by University of Leicester criminologist Professor Martin Gill found that second-hand computers -- which account for one in 12 computers in use worldwide -- can be a potential treasure trove of personal information -- putting users at risk of fraud and identity theft. The researchers purchased six used computers and conducted a forensic data analysis on each. Half of the computers had in fact not been securely wiped. In one case there had been no attempt to wipe the contents whatsoever. Gill said, "The fact that we found so much personal information through a focused study indicates that the potential for fraud and identity theft from the second hand PC market is huge...Simply re-formatting a hard drive is not enough to make data irretrievable. Anyone disposing of a personal computer must ensure that all data is securely wiped using specialist software to wipe over every sector of the hard drive." Among the data retrieved included: bank account details; correspondence with a bank noting change of e-mail address; sensitive information, including a spreadsheet which contained details of creditors, payroll, and the names and addresses of past and present business customers.

Wow, this one is very interesting!! Thanks so much.

[Homer]

February 27, SC Magazine - FTC game teaches auction lessons.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced the launch of "Auction Action," a point-based game that teaches consumers about online fraud. The game scores users on how successfully they can answer questions about online auctions. The agency said, âEURoeIn 2005, the FTC received 20,450 complaints related to Internet auctions, or about 12 percent of the total number of complaints, making it the second-most common kind of complaint after those about identity theft...The new Website explains how Internet
auctions work, the pros and cons of using different payment options and how -- as a buyer or seller -- you can avoid the most common types of fraud." Game: http://www.onguardonline.gov. Source: http://www.scmagazine.com/uk/news/article/543501/ftc-game-teaches-auction-lessons/

[Homer]

Thanks Homer and I think this is a great new Topic.  It will be very helpful to all of us.   O0 O0

Your welcome. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!" O0

[Helen]

February 27, SC Magazine - FTC game teaches auction lessons.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced the launch of "Auction Action," a point-based game that teaches consumers about online fraud. The game scores users on how successfully they can answer questions about online auctions. The agency said, âEURoeIn 2005, the FTC received 20,450 complaints related to Internet auctions, or about 12 percent of the total number of complaints, making it the second-most common kind of complaint after those about identity theft...The new Website explains how Internet
auctions work, the pros and cons of using different payment options and how -- as a buyer or seller -- you can avoid the most common types of fraud." Game: http://www.onguardonline.gov. Source: http://www.scmagazine.com/uk/news/article/543501/ftc-game-teaches-auction-lessons/

All very interesting reading and a wealth of knowledge.  spb.gif

[SI]

Symantec Offers Free Online Threat Meter

Jack M. Germain, newsfactor.com Thu Mar 2, 2:00 PM ET

It is difficult enough for seasoned computer pros to keep on top of the alarming number of Internet threats plaguing PCs these days. Those new to the world of computing face a seemingly impossible task in trying to stay informed and keep their computers free of harmful and annoying intrusions.

But now computer users have a free tool to help keep them apprised of the latest threats from worms, hackers, and malicious software.

Symantec, a provider of computer security products, has launched Threat Meter, an online tool that promises to provide up-to-date information on the risk levels associated with e-mail, Web activities, instant messaging, and file-sharing.

Increased Insecurity

According to a recent survey conducted by the Cyber Security Industry Alliance, more computer users are becoming increasingly insecure about using the Internet. Forty-eight percent of those surveyed avoid making purchases on the Internet because they are afraid their financial information might be stolen.

"Consumers should feel confident about their security when they are online, whether they are communicating via e-mail, conducting financial transactions on the Internet, chatting over instant messaging, or sharing files," said Arthur Wong, vice president of Symantec Security Response and Managed Security Services.

He said the Threat Meter will offer users an essential, regularly updated resource they can check daily for the latest information about online threats.

"Just as prepared travelers check the weather forecast for their destination city, consumers who are online also should have a tool they can use to help them prepare for a safe and productive experience on the Internet," he said.

Metering Online Safety

The Threat Meter pulls from Symantec's global network that the company's Security Response team uses to track new Internet threats. This global team is staffed by intrusion experts, security engineers, virus hunters, threat analysts, and technical-support teams that work in tandem to provide security intelligence for businesses and consumers.

The Threat Meter rates the four main online activities -- e-mail, Web activities, instant messaging, and file-sharing -- as low, medium, or high risk. The meter, which is displayed as a multicolor chart, offers an at-a-glance update on the status of the four most common uses for computers in the home.

This week, for example, the Threat Meter showed e-mail threats to be at low risk and urged consumers to use basic caution in opening e-mail attachments. "Currently, no widespread outbreaks of malicious code are circulating via e-mail," the chart noted.

In addition, the Threat Meter is indicating this week that Web activities are at medium risk, which suggests that computer users should exercise extra caution. According to the Threat Meter, several recent vulnerabilities exist in Apple's Safari Web browser. Also, attackers currently are targeting weaknesses in Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web browser.

"Simply browsing to a malicious Web site could trigger a problem," warned the meter.

**************************************************************

Here's a link to Symantec's threat center:

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/home_homeoffice/index.html

[hades]

very interesting.thanks homer.  :)

[Homer]

Your welcome. I will be posting more of them as I become aware of them. O0

[foxx]

As you can see from the article below, disposing of your old computer can expose you to identity theft. To be safe you need to remove the hard drive and destroy it  with a hammer.

This one made me laugh out loud...Mr. Foxx and I owned an "EffMachines" PC which crashed.  We knew we had to really destroy it in order to make it safe from ID theives...

Cracked it open with a sledge.
Took the drill to it.
Took a hammer to it.
Snipped all the wires. Burnt them with a propane torch.
Jumped on it.
Finally, took the Sawzall to it and shredded it up good. 

It's a fun way to get out a little aggression.  ;)

[Homer]

I have had great success with my current emachines pc. Been close to 3 years now and still runs like a champ. O0

[Helen]

As you can see from the article below, disposing of your old computer can expose you to identity theft. To be safe you need to remove the hard drive and destroy it  with a hammer.

This one made me laugh out loud...Mr. Foxx and I owned an "EffMachines" PC which crashed.  We knew we had to really destroy it in order to make it safe from ID theives...

Cracked it open with a sledge.
Took the drill to it.
Took a hammer to it.
Snipped all the wires. Burnt them with a propane torch.
Jumped on it.
Finally, took the Sawzall to it and shredded it up good. 

It's a fun way to get out a little aggression.  ;)

Sounds like you had some fun. Next time I need to get rid of a computer, I'll come and see you!!

[foxx]

I have had great success with my current emachines pc. Been close to 3 years now and still runs like a champ. O0

Loved mine for the first 3 years too Homer... ;)  About 6 months later...Kerplunk.

[Homer]

I think one of the things I loved the most was being able to put my flash memory card right into it's own slot to download my digital pics. No more damn wires. LOL O0

[nightperson]

yes this topic is well worth posting thanks homer

[pogohatesme]

Thanks Homey for always watching out for us! O0

[foxx]

I think one of the things I loved the most was being able to put my flash memory card right into it's own slot to download my digital pics. No more damn wires. LOL O0

Loved that about it too....Our E(ff)machines was actually kinda top-of-the-line store bought PC when we got it...It had an 80gig hardrive which was just unheard of back then...That's actually why we bought it...but I think it also was the source of its demise...  :'(

[hades]

lol emachines went downhill fast.