Beware of phony debt collectors
August 12th, 2009 - Posted by Caitlin
The Better Business Bureau has issued a warning about phony debt collectors. The BBB is concerned about the possibility of a recent mass data breach, since the scammers are already armed with victims' personal information, including Social Security numbers, old bank account and driver's license numbers, home addresses, employer information, and even names of friends and references. The scammers, who claim to be from the "Financial Accountability Association" or the "Federal Legislation of Unsecured Loans," demand that their victims pay as much as $1,000 by wire or credit card, and threaten arrest if victims don't comply. If you get a call like this, please do not provide or confirm any of your sensitive personal data. If you don't owe any money and the caller is harassing you, you should file a complaint with the BBB and the Federal Trade Commission. And if a caller already has some of your information, consider yourself at an increased risk for identity theft, and take appropriate precautions, such as freezing your credit or, if you haven't already, investing in identity theft protection.
Phishing scams in plain English
August 12th, 2009 - Posted by Caitlin
This video breaks down phishing scams as simply as possible, to ensure that everyone understands the risk and how to protect themselves.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqRZGhiHGxg[/youtube]
As suggested in this video, you may want to consider anti-phishing software. You can learn which Internet security software includes spam and phishing protection by checking out our reviews and comparison chart. The video also suggests that you monitor your credit, which can be faciliated by a credit report monitoring service. You might also consider investing in an identity theft protection service, which can help protect you from the risks posed by phishing and similar scams.
College students putting their parents at risk for identity theft
August 12th, 2009 - Posted by Robert Siciliano
Robert Siciliano is a NextAdvisor.com Expert Guest Blogger
Why? Because they don't care! September is National Campus Safety Awareness Month, and I'm teaming up with Uni-Ball pens to urge college students to protect their personal safety and security. Uni-Ball pens and the Identity Theft Resource Center surveyed 1,000 college students and 1,000 parents. This Campus Security Survey revealed that while about 74% of parents believe students are at a moderate to high risk for identity theft, and 30% of all identity theft victims are between 18 and 29, only 21% of students are concerned about identity theft.
It's no surprise that most college students are indifferent when it comes to their personal and information security. When you are in your late teens or early twenties, you feel a sense of invincibility. However, once you have a few years under your belt, you begin to mature and gradually realize the world isn't all about keg parties and raves. Hopefully if all goes well, you adopt some wisdom by the time you're 30.
Here are a few more interesting statistics from the Campus Security Survey.
- 89% of parents have discussed safety measures with their kids, yet kids continue to engage in risky behavior
- 40% of students leave their apartment or dorm doors unlocked
- 40% of students have provided their Social Security numbers online
- 50% of students shred sensitive data
- 9% of students share online passwords with friends
- 1 in 10 have allowed strangers into their apartments
- Only 11% use a secure pen (which can prevent check washing fraud) when write checks
College students have always been easy marks because their credit is ripe for the taking. Students' Social Security numbers have traditionally been openly displayed on student badges, testing information, in filing cabinets and databases all over campus. Landlords and those involved in campus housing also have access to students identifying information.
The study concluded, "Students who ignore their own personal security are not only putting themselves at risk for identity theft, they are also putting their parents at risk. While getting established in the real world, it's common practice among college students to use their parents' names, bank account numbers and other personal information to co-sign loans and leases, write tuition and housing checks, register online to receive grades and more. So when online criminals strike, they are often manipulating parents' personal data, not just the students'." Any parent sending their children off to college should be concerned.
How to protect yourself:
- Lock your doors! The transient nature of college life means people are coming and going and thievery is more likely to happen. Just because you may come from a small town and do not lock your doors, that doesn't make it okay at school.
- Limit the amount of information you give out. While you may have to give out certain private data, refuse whenever possible.
- Shred everything! Old bank statements, credit card statements, credit card offers and other account number bearing documents need to be shredded when no longer needed.
- Lock down your PCs. Make sure your Internet security software is up to date. Install spyware removal software. Lock down your wireless connection. Use strong passwords that include upper and lowercase letters as well as numbers. And never share passwords.
- Secure your signature. Use Uni-Ball gel pens to write rent checks and sign documents. They cost as little as $2 and contain Uni "Super Ink," which is specially formulated to reduce document fraud and check washing, a popular form of identity theft.
- Be alert for online scams. Never respond to emails or text messages that are purportedly coming from your bank. Always log into your bank account manually via your favorites menu.
- Invest in identity theft protection. Not all forms of identity theft can be prevented, but identity theft protection services can dramatically reduce your risk.
- Get a credit freeze. Go to ConsumersUnion.org and follow the steps for your particular state. In most cases, this prevents new accounts from being opened in your name.
Robert Siciliano, identity theft speaker, discusses identity theft protection and check washing on TBS's Movie and a Makeover.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQpHdaC82Uk[/youtube]
Robert Siciliano is CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com , an identity theft expert, professional speaker, security analyst, published author and television news correspondent. Siciliano works with Fortune 1000 companies and startups as an advisor on product launches, branding, messaging, representation, SEO and media. Siciliano's thoughts and advice on all these matters appear often in both the televised and print news media including CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, FOX, Forbes and USA Today. He has 25 years of security training as a member of the American Society of Industrial Security. He is the author of two books, including The Safety Minute: Living on High Alert; How to take control of your personal security and prevent fraud. He's also partnered with Uni-Ball to help raise awareness about the growing threat of identity theft and to provide tips on how you can protect yourself.
Will VoIP work with my security system?
August 11th, 2009 - Posted by Kent
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: I have Cable TV, Cable Internet and Cable Phone service. All three with one cable company. I also have a Home Security System but with a different landline. The question is, if I switch from Cable Phone to a VoIP System, will VoIP effect my Home Security System ?
A: That's a great question. Given the popularity of both technologies, we imagine a lot of people are wondering how security systems will work with VoIP. For an answer, we went to the sources: the security companies and the VoIP providers. Fortunately, they all seem to agree. Unfortunately, it looks like you should have a landline:
Leading home security provider ADT recommends that VoIP users hold onto their regular landlines in order to ensure the best security. The concern is that VoIP will not function during a power outage, so even while the security system has a battery backup, your home networking probably does not. ADT suggests its customers call 1-800-ADT-ASAP before a switch to VoIP to find out if a VoIP provider meets their approval standards.
CPI Security also recommends that customers hold onto their landlines, not only because of power outages but also because of network outages.
Some home security systems may offer alternative means of communication. Reliance Protection/VOXCOM offers a wireless communications option, and others may too. Contact your home security company to see if they offer a similar cellular solution.
VoIP providers also suggest that you hold onto your landline. Vonage states in their FAQ that they don't recommend using their service with a home security system.
So, despite the cost-saving advantages of VoIP, it can present a problem for some technologies, and not just for security systems but also other devices like fax machines and some TIVOs. That's because electronic signals that are meant to go over a voice line are changed when they go over IP.
Even with a landline, VoIP can still save you a lot of money, depending on your phone usage (check out our reviews to see how much). With plans starting as low as $8.33 per month for unlimited calling in the US and Canada (on an annual contract), you'll save more than enough to justify that old analog phone line you need for your security system.
Is there hope? Between the increasing popularity of VoIP and the ubiquity of cel phones, this is likely to change in the future. A company called uControl is introducing a device which will replace your current security system's control panel and offer a cellular connection (along with broadband and an optional land line). But so far, these don't seem to be for sale to individuals. You may soon see it as an option offered by communications providers.
To learn more about VoIP, check out our VoIP reviews and comparisons.
The cheap web hosting challenge
August 11th, 2009 - Posted by Kent
The world of web hosting can be a confusing place. On the one hand, all web hosts do pretty much the same thing: they allow you to publish a website on the Internet. But, as our reviews show, there are also a lot of differences. All those variables aside, sometimes what you want is cheap web hosting, an inexpensive domain to upload your site to. While the race for best bargain web host was pretty tight, this month we have a clear winner: 1&1.
No, we don't know what the name means (but for that matter we don't know what a HostPapa or a WebHostingPad is either), but they have one compelling offer: two years for the price of one. With one year coming in at $4.99, that's like paying only $2.50 per month for two years. Plus, you get two free domain registrations, meaning you can score a .com and a .org version of your site for one price (assuming they're both available). And domain privacy, that's free too.
In our review, we loved the user interface, the shopping cart creator, and the site builder. We had some reservations about the quality of the out-source support and it didn't rank up there with our performance champs (upload and download speed were good, but not great on large files). But it is the most affordable web host you're likely to find, as long as your comfortable with a two-year commitment.
Check out our web hosting ratings and reviews to see how 1&1 stacks up against the competition, or click here to get started with 1&1.
Does Jenny Craig have a weekend off program?
August 10th, 2009 - Posted by Caitlin
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: Do you have a weekend off program? What types of meals do you have? I am interested in a 4-week program. Two of us would join if the price is right.
A: Jenny Craig does not explicitly offer a weekends off option. However, should you decide to sign up for the Jenny Craig program, your program director will work with you to create a fully customized plan based on your goals, needs, and lifestyle. The Jenny Craig program is flexible enough to allow you to prepare your own meals and eat at restaurants, so if you prefer not to eat prepackaged Jenny's Cuisine meals on the weekends, that could be incorporated in your customized plan. Jenny Craig does not automatically reship food, so if you do not actually use your entire four week supply within four week, it shouldn't cause any problems.
Jenny Craig offers more than 80 meals and snacks, which are chosen specifically to meet your weight loss goals, with calorie levels ranging from 1,200 to 2,300 calories per day. Jenny's Cuisine is low in fat and cholesterol, and high in fiber. Meals are packaged into single portions, to help you learn to properly regulate portion sizes. With the Jenny Craig program, you'll be eating three Jenny's Cusine meals and one Jenny's Cuisine snack every day, as well as fresh fruit, vegetables, and other grocery store additions. Meal and snack options include cookies, cake, meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, and even cheesecake. You'll have the freedom to create your own menu or rely on preplanned menus.
To learn more about Jenny Craig and other meal delivery diet plans, see our reviews and comparison chart.
$50 discount on Medifast purchases with new promo code
August 10th, 2009 - Posted by Caitlin
Medifast, a meal delivery diet service designed for rapid, dramatic weight loss, is offering NextAdvisor.com readers a $50 discount on purchases of $275 and more. To take advantage of this exclusive $50 discount on Medifast, simply enter the promo code Aug30C when prompted during checkout.
And if you're interested in learning more about Medifast and other online diet services, check out our reviews and comparison chart.
Hackers hacked at Defcon in ATM skimming scam
August 7th, 2009 - Posted by Robert Siciliano
Robert Siciliano is a NextAdvisor.com Expert Guest Blogger
Hackers hacked hackers at the annual Defcon conference in Las Vegas this past weekend. Defcon is a conference for hackers of all breeds. There are good guys, bad guys, those who are somewhere in between, plus law enforcement and government agents. All kinds of inventive people with an intuition for technology decend on Las Vegas to learn, explore, and hack.
At this year's Defcon, someone planted a real, rigged, malicious ATM right outside the security office of the Riviera Hotel and Casino. For some reason, the area outside the security office doesn't have any security cameras, which made it an easy place to attempt a scam. Scams like this are common in Las Vegas, due to the city's transient nature and frantic pace. Everyone is looking for a quick buck, and what better place to pull of an ATM scam than Vegas?
ATM skimming comes in two flavors. In the first scenario, a device called a "skimmer" is placed on the face of an operational ATM. When a card is swiped, the skimmer records the data on the card, and a hidden camera generally records the PIN. Usually, money is dispensed. In the second scenario, a used ATM is rigged to record data, and placed in a public area. These ATMs are only semi-operational, and do not dispense cash. This is the type of ATM that was found in Las Vegas.
A conference attendee uncovered the scam when he attempted to use the machine and recieved an error message. Upon further investigation, a computer was discovered where the security camera should have been. The computer was recording all the victims' details. That's when the alarm was sounded and the area became a crime scene.
You can protect yourself from these types of scams by paying attention to your statements. Refute unauthorized transactions within 60 days. Consider never using a debit card again, since credit cards are safer. When using an ATM, pay close attention to details, and look for anything that seems out of place. If your card gets stuck in the machine or you notice anything odd about the appearance of the machine, such as wires, double sided tape, error messages, a missing security camera, or the machine seems unusually old and run down, don't use it. Don't use just any ATM. Instead, look for ATMs in more secure locations. (Of course, just outside the security office isn't exactly the middle of nowhere, so always be alert.) Use strong PINs, with both upper and lowercase letters, as well as numbers. And invest in identity theft protection. Not all forms of identity theft can be prevented, but identity theft protection services can dramatically reduce your risk.
Robert Siciliano, identity theft speaker, discusses ATM skimming.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vL26u-D8EU[/youtube]
Robert Siciliano is CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com , an identity theft expert, professional speaker, security analyst, published author and television news correspondent. Siciliano works with Fortune 1000 companies and startups as an advisor on product launches, branding, messaging, representation, SEO and media. Siciliano's thoughts and advice on all these matters appear often in both the televised and print news media including CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, FOX, Forbes and USA Today. He has 25 years of security training as a member of the American Society of Industrial Security. He is the author of two books, including The Safety Minute: Living on High Alert; How to take control of your personal security and prevent fraud. He's also partnered with Uni-Ball to help raise awareness about the growing threat of identity theft and to provide tips on how you can protect yourself.
Phishing up 52% in July; Hackers get hacked
August 6th, 2009 - Posted by Kent
Summer, it seems, is for phishing. Internet Security Software maker Symantec posted a report on the state of phishing, finding a 52% increase in July. Incredibly, 63% of the urls identified were created using phishing toolkits.
Courtesy of Symantec
Syamantec defines phishing toolkits as:
automated toolkits that facilitate the creation of phishing Websites. They allow individuals to create and carry out phishing attacks even without any technical knowledge.
It seems like cheating. Hacking your data is not just for hackers anymore.
You can read up on how to protect yourself with our reviews of Internet Security Software, including Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2009.
In other news, getting hacked is not just for everyday computer users anymore. At the DEF CON hacking conference last week, an untold number of attendees had their ATM cards and pin numbers pilfered by a fake ATM set up in the Riviera Hotel lobby. The attendees at DEF CON range from real-world hackers to the Federal agents. Someone suspicious of the ATM machine (and really, who wouldn't be suspicious there?) shined a flashlight inside and found a PC instead of a security camera. Somehow someone snuck the fake ATM in, literally under the nose(s) of hotel security. It was right outside their office, in a place out of view of the hotel security cameras.
Twitter attacked! No one can tweet about it
August 6th, 2009 - Posted by Kent
Couldn't find out what Ashton Kutcher was having for breakfast this morning? Blame a denial of service attack on popular social-media/micro-blogging site Twitter. While service has now been restored, the attack knocked the service offline for about three hours (according to their blog posts). A denial of service attack happens when a group of computers continually sends requests to a website, overwhelming its capabilities to handle traffic. Usually, the computers that do this are infected with malware, and their owners are unaware it's even happening. According to Information Week, it was a denial of service attack that crippled the popular Gawker media sites earlier this week.
Malware can hit any unprotected computer making it a part of a botnet. While a three-hour Twitter fail is not catastrophic, the same attack on the computer systems belonging to a banking, healthcare, or public utilities company could be. Keeping your computer protected from viruses and malware not only protects your data, but also protects the computer systems that we all rely on.
Find out which Internet security software we liked the best with our Internet Security Software ratings and reviews.
Categories
Blog Archives
Popular Services Reviewed:
Credit Monitoring Services |
Find Us On:
Copyright© 2006 - 2012 NextAdvisor.com - All rights reserved.
Disclosure: NextAdvisor.com is a consumer information site that offers free, independent reviews and ratings of online services. We receive advertising revenue from most of the services we review. Our editors thoroughly research and whenever possible test each service we review and offer their honest opinions about each one. We are independently owned and operated and all opinions expressed on this site are our own.