Symantec gives students a break: 50% off Norton AntiVirus
October 15th, 2009 - Posted by Kent
Back when I was in school, I had Norton Antivirus installed on my laptop. It was pretty much the only choice. Now there are a dozen or so major Internet security solutions offering to protect you from online baddies. We may laugh a little at the idea of anti-virus software as a back-to-school necessity, but in truth students are at a particularly high risk for malware and spyware.
Norton is currently offering students 50% off of its basic Norton Antivirus 2010 with Antispyware, bringing the price down to $19.99. While it's not as comprehensive as the souped-up Norton Internet Security 2010 that we reviewed, it does contain powerful essentials to protect your computer from common threats. We really liked the AntiVirus component of Internet Security 2010, and would recommend it even at the full price. And for $19.99, it's a real bargain.
To get this special price, you must be a student in the United States with an email address that has a corresponding .edu suffix. And you must follow this link.
Keeping track of your Weight Watchers POINTS? There's an app for that.
October 15th, 2009 - Posted by Kent
Weight Watchers subscribers who own iPhones now have an additional tool to help them keep track of their diets: their very own iPhone app. The Weight Watchers app, free to the diet plan's subscribers, packs in a number of useful features including a POINTS calculator, a database of over 30,000 recipes, and a Weight Watchers meeting locator. The calculator, which allows subscribers to keep track of their meals and activities, looks particularly useful.
To get the app, follow the link to the iTunes store. Once the app is downloaded, it will require your login credentials.
To see what we thought of Weight Watchers, and how it compares to other diet programs, check out our Online Diet Program ratings and reviews.
How to I switch to Jenny Direct?
October 14th, 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: How do I switch from a center to mail order because there is not a center near where I am moving?
A: Jenny Direct, Jenny Craig's at home weight loss program, offers the same food, tools, and personal support that are available at Jenny Craig's local centers. Your Jenny Cuisine and program materials will be delivered by mail, and you'll speak with your consultant over the phone. Current Jenny Craig memberships are transferable back and forth, from a Jenny Craig center to Jenny Direct and vice versa. To transfer your membership to Jenny Direct, just speak with your personal consultant or request an instant call back from a Jenny Craig customer service representative.
To learn more about Jenny Craig and other online diet services, see our reviews and comparison chart.
Why do I have different credit scores from TrueCredit and Experian?
October 14th, 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: I have a 3 score report from True Credit and one from Experian. They have totally different scores. Why would this be? I am trying to get Identity Guard but have not had success with that.
A: Your credit score is calculated based on the information in your credit report, and you have three different credit reports, one from each of the three major credit bureaus. Since some businesses choose to report to only one or two of the three bureaus, it is likely that each of your three credit reports contains slightly different data, which would result in different scores. The credit bureaus use different formulas to calculate their scores, which is another reason for variation. Your credit score also changes as new data is added to your credit report, so if you request credit reports and scores from different bureaus at different times, that would account for further variation.
The varying scores provided by the credit bureaus can help you gain an understanding of your credit health. But the vast majority of lenders rely on the FICO scoring system, created by the Fair Isaac Corporation. You have three FICO scores, one based on each of your three different credit reports.
You can purchase your TransUnion and Equifax FICO scores directly from MyFICO. MyFICO also offers a service that monitors your Equifax credit report and Equifax FICO score and alerts you to any changes. Equifax offers a similar service that provides your Equifax FICO score, but monitors all three credit reports. Identity Guard monitors all three credit reports and provides all three credit scores as calculated by the CreditXpert scoring system, which is similar but not identical to the FICO scoring system. It is not possible for consumers to access Experian FICO scores at this time.
If you are particularly interested in your FICO score, the best option would be to obtain all three credit reports and your FICO score from Equifax. Assuming that the data is consistent across all three reports, it would be fairly safe to assume that your Experian and TransUnion FICO scores will also be quite consistent with your Equifax FICO score.
However, it is important to bear in mind that the information on your credit report matters more than any individual credit score. You can't necessarily anticipate how a particular lender will choose to calculate your score, but you can ensure that the data on all three of your credit reports is positive and accurate.
To learn more about credit reports and scores, see our reviews and comparison chart.
Cybersecurity and identity theft protection starts at home
October 14th, 2009 - Posted by Robert Siciliano
Robert Siciliano is a NextAdvisor.com Expert Guest Blogger
Whether you realize it or not, your computer is one of the biggest threats to your personal security. The Obama administration believes that your computer is also one of the biggest threats to national security.
The message is: "Think before you click. Know who's on the other side of that instant message. What you say or do in cyberspace stays in cyberspace — for many to see, steal and use against you or your government.
The Internet is incredibly powerful and not particularly secure. It is powerful enough to bring people together, to educating, inform, and make life easier. But it's also used to hurt, scam, and debilitate in so many ways.
The Pentagon's computer systems are probed 360 million times per day, and one prominent power company has acknowledged that its networks see up to 70,000 scans per day. Every single day, utilities, banks, retailers and just about every computer network are faced with attacks. Many of these hacks are insignificant. Many are conducted with intent to commit crimes such as espionage, financial data theft, or the destruction of crucial information. The criminal hackers could be cyber-terrorists attempting to destroy the U.S. or its economy, malcontents simply wreaking havoc for its own sake, or opportunists looking for a profit.
The U.S. is a prime target for a number of reasons. The most obvious is that we've made mistakes that have many in the world hating us. Then there's our financial system, which offers instant credit to anyone with a Social Security number. And of course, credit card security is an oxymoron, since anyone can use any credit card at any time. We have a bullseye on us and we put it there.
"Weapons of Mass Disruption" are a growing concern. The U.S. and many other countries are electrically and digitally dependent. Our critical infrastructures, including drinking water, sewer systems, phone lines, banks, air traffic, and government systems, all depend on the electric grid. After a major successful attack we'd be back to the dark ages instantly. No electricity, no computers, no gasoline, no refrigeration, no clean water. Think about when the power goes out in your house for a few hours. We're stymied.
The Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security are hiring thousands of computer experts to protect our networks. But the weakest link in the chain is not the government, but the citizens. Government has lots of work to do, but moms and pops are the most vulnerable. Enterprise networks have become hardened, while small business and the lowly consumer know enough about information security to get hacked. Awareness is key. You are either part of the problem or the solution.
Read blogs and articles to stay on top of what's next in technology and the new security measures necessary to keep it safe. Build your IT security vocabulary. Protect yourself and your business.
Use Internet security software that includes virus and spyware protection, parental controls, and firewalls.
Back up your data locally and in the cloud.
Understand the risks associated with the wireless web, especially when using unsecured public networks.
Protect your identity, too. The most valuable resource you have is your good name. Allowing anyone to pose as you and damage your reputation is almost facilitating a crime. Nobody will protect you, except you. Get a credit freeze. Go to ConsumersUnion.org and follow the steps for your particular state. This is an absolutely necessary tool to secure your credit. In most cases, it prevents new accounts from being opened in your name. And invest in identity theft protection. Not all forms of identity theft protection can be prevented, but identity theft protection services can dramatically reduce your risk.
Robert Siciliano, identity theft speaker, discussing data security on Fox News.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNfDoeFYWPg[/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.
Yahoo! 50% web hosting discount still active?
October 13th, 2009 - Posted by Kent
The official word was that Yahoo!'s great $4.99-per-month web hosting discount was supposed to end last Thursday. But it seems like the deal is still going strong. We have no idea for how long you'll still be able to get this price (which amounts to 50% off for the first twelve months). It's a really great deal, particularly for beginners looking for an easy, user-friendly entry into web hosting. So, if you'd been thinking about, but feel you waited for too long, give the link a try.
If you're curious about Yahoo!'s web hosting, and why we recommend it for beginners, take a look at our review. You'll notice we've published their regular discount in the review and comparison chart.
"Identity theft is really no big deal." Really?
October 13th, 2009 - Posted by Robert Siciliano
Robert Siciliano is a NextAdvisor.com Expert Guest Blogger
I make a portion of my living talking about identity theft. Admittedly, I profit from the crime. I don't steal identities of course, but I get paid because others steal. I'm not FBI, CIA, Secret Service or a cop. But you wouldn't disparage any of those entities for doing their jobs to protect you from bad guys.
I talk about this issue all day, every day to whoever will listen. I'm obsessed with this and all issues regarding personal security. It's what I do, and it seems to be "my purpose." I may sometimes go a bit overboard in my take on these issues and what people need to do to protect themselves, but sometimes that's what it takes for people who think it can't happen to them get off their duff and be proactive.
All that said, it bothers the heck out of me when someone looks me straight in the eye and tells me that identity theft is no big deal, that I should get over it. That's exactly Julia Angwin does in this Wall Street Journal article. And she uses a prominent industry professional as the anchor of her article, to confirm her beliefs and trivialize this heinous crime.
The fact is, crime happens all day, every day. Some crimes are more or less common. Some are more or less invasive. All crimes have victims and all victims suffer the consequences of others actions. To trivialize those victims and make little of their burden is a completely incomprehensible act.
I responded to this article with the following comment:
"The author hides under the guise of The Decoder and will not give her name in this article. In another article she is Julia Angwin at julia.angwin@wsj.com. Why not sign your name here?? [Angwin's name now appears under the article.]
A person is more likely to be a victim of some form of identity theft than to be injured in a motor vehicle accident. But I'll bet she wears a seat belt and doesn't trivialize that. A person is more likely to be a victim of identity theft than have their home broken into or car stolen. But I'll bet she locks up. A person is more likely to be victim of identity theft than be sexually assaulted. But she dare not trivialize that. A person is more likely to be a victim of identity theft than have their child abducted. But I'll bet she watches her kids close at the park. Sister, just because you don't understand something doesn't give you the right to make little of it. Identity theft victims suffer the consequences of fraud every day. Some much more than others. For the victims, identity theft is a living hell. I wouldn't wish any of the above on anyone and hope identity theft never happens to you. If it does you will sing a different tune and be appropriately empathetic to the victims of this heinous crime.
And Bruce, really, the contrarian thing is very obvious. To say you're not worried and don't do anything is a slap in the face to everyone who has been victimized and everyone who cares to prevent it. Your credibility just slipped a notch in this fan's opinion."
And because I care and because I'm being paid and because I believe in the following, I'm going to make a couple suggestions to you as to how you should protect yourself. But really, identity theft is no big deal.
Get a credit freeze. Go to consumersunion.org and follow the steps for the state you live in. This is an absolutely necessary tool to secure your credit. In most cases it prevents new accounts from being opened in your name. This makes your Social Security number useless to a thief. And invest in identity theft protection. While not all forms of identity theft can be prevented, these services provide several additional layers of defense.
Robert Siciliano, identity theft speaker, discusses identity theft on Fox News.
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.
Symantec on shortened URLs
October 13th, 2009 - Posted by Kent
Internet security experts Symantec have release a video showing how shortened URLs (such as those used on Twitter) can lead to malware. We've long talked about the danger posed by shortened URLs. Here's what it looks like:
Does this mean shortened URLs are off limits? The accompanying blog post points the way to two plugins, one for Firefox and one for Internet Explorer that will show you the actual destination of the URL. Still, that's no guarantee of the safety of the URL, but it's more information that will help you decide whether or not the link is worth following.
Symantec is the creator of Norton Internet Security, our favorite of the 2010 crop of security solutions. To read our review, and see how Norton stacks up against the competition, check out our comparisons and reviews.
Identity theft victim spends weeks in jail
October 12th, 2009 - Posted by Caitlin
Some identity theft victims are never able to completely repair the damage to their credit. Some victims are declined mortgages or student loans. Some victims suffer monetary losses. Nearly all victims have to devote a great deal of time and effort to the restoration of their identities. But only a few victims suffer the worst consequence of identity theft: jail, due to mistaken identity.
Joe Salazar of Omaha is one such identity theft victim.
Several years ago, Joe left his wallet in a restaurant. When he went back to retrieve it, it was gone. About a year later, police arrested a man for cocaine possession, and that man gave police Salazar's identification, date of birth, and Social Security number, and pleaded no contest to possession of cocaine. When this unknown man failed to appear for sentencing, a warrant was issued for Joe Salazar's arrest. On December 24, 2008, Joe Salazar was pulled over for speeding, and the officer discovered the warrant in his name. Joe explained that it was a case of mistaken identity, and his fingerprints confirmed that he was not the same man who had been arrested for cocaine possession. Nevertheless, Joe Salazar spent Christmas Eve in prison. He also spend Christmas in prison. And New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. He was finally released on January 7, 2009. A judge renewed the warrant and added a note: "Please re-verify identification of Joe Salazar due to mistaken arrests."
Last week, Joe Salazar's home was burglarized. When the police arrived to file a report, you guessed it, Joe was arrested once again. This time, Joe was released after just one day in jail.
There are many procedures in place, including fingerprinting and mug shots, that should have spared Joe from spending time in prison. But they haven't helped so far, and since the warrant still hasn't been dropped, there's no guarantee that Joe won't be arrested again.
While most identity theft victims don't spend their holidays in prison, once a criminal has your personal information, there's nothing preventing him or her from using it in a pinch, to avoid going to prison him or herself. To avoid suffering any of the many possible consequences of identity theft, consider investing in an identity theft protection service, which will provide numerous layers of defense.
FBI chief falls for phishing email
October 12th, 2009 - Posted by Caitlin
Last week, FBI chief Robert Mueller spoke about the dangers of cybercrime, and admitted that he had once been fooled by a phishing email. At first, Mueller believed the email to be a "perfectly legitimate" message from his bank, requesting that he verify some personal information. He followed a link to a spoofed website, where he answered the first few questions before being prompted to enter his password. At that point, it occurred to Mueller that "this might not be such a good idea." He then changed all his passwords and described the incident as a "teachable moment" to his wife, who responded by declaring, "It is not my teachable moment. However, it is our money. No more Internet banking for you!"
If the chief of the FBI can be so easily fooled by a common phishing scam, it's probably a good idea for us all to have a few extra lines of defense when navigating the Internet. So install Internet security software and set it to update automatically. And consider investing in identity theft protection, in case you or someone else slips up and compromises your personal information.
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