#16. How To Prevent Identity Theft By Computer Hackers
Preventing Identity Theft is the best identity theft insurance.
This also applies to computer hacking because there are clearly ways to prevent identity theft from this method. Many have assumed that the incidence of identity theft would have decreased with modern technologies as an identity theft shield, but in fact, researchers on identity theft, report that there is a rise in Computer Hacking, which also often leads to the theft of someone's identity. One in twenty Americans are victims each year, which is a staggering number of people lives that are turned upside down, because their personal information ended up in the wrong hands.
What is computer hacking?
Computer Hacking is a process that is used by individuals that are skilled in technology and know the necessary techniques to access other people's personal information that is either stored on their computer or a company's computer network. Computer Hacking is something that has serious consequences for those that are caught because they can spend many years in prison. Many hackers go straight for corporations in an effort to gain access to multiple personal financial records, while others stay on a smaller scale with individuals so they are less likely to be detected.
What is a wireless network?
A computer wireless network (Wi-Fi) is one in which data is transmitted using radio signals instead of cables. Typically, wireless network has one or more computers that connect to the Internet via an access point, which is typically a type of router that is the gateway for the computers on the network to connect to the Internet. One of the ways you can Prevent Identity Theft when using a wireless network is to ensure it has the proper security features on it are operational. Home or office Wi-Fi with a WPA2 encryption service that is not internally shared provides the best security. If you have this facility you are less likely to become a victim of Computer Hacking.
What is computer identity theft?
If you have personal information stored on your computer or use your computer to buy items over the Internet on an unsecured wireless network, you can be subject to Computer Identity Theft. This happens when the thief engages in Computer Hacking and is able to obtain your credit card information, social security number, and other personal information, and then poses as you to take on your identity, or simply to access and withdraw funds from your bank account(s).
Why are wireless networks so vulnerable to hackers? The biggest reason that wireless network is a stomping ground for Computer Hacking is that many people use open networks. Open networks are those at coffee shops or airports that have no special security on them or home or business networks that do not use WAP2 encryption service for their network. This means that everyone can connect to this network because it has no security key and wreak havoc on those that are connected to it. The best way to Prevent Identity Theft, is to have your own security system on your computer before you ever connect to an open wireless connection.
What you need to know about wireless internet security?
Many companies and individuals work wirelessly and it has become more popular because it does not require your computer to be wired to an Internet connection, but operates by wireless signals to the router. You should be aware that there are ways to Prevent Identity Theft when you are working wirelessly. When you are working at your place of employment wirelessly, you are under a lot of wireless security and therefore safer from Computer Hacking. However, when you go to public places where there is a lot of sport or a wireless connection that you can join, you risk Identity Theft because the security is turned off, which means all the information you are sending via the Internet can be seen by anyone by someone with hacking software. Security measures are your best way of staying safe from those that are looking to steal someone's identity. There is a software add on to a popular internet browser that allows hacking into other user's information in an unprotected Wi-Fi network.
How you can prevent computer identity theft with a wireless computer network?
Wireless networking is definitely here to stay and you will use it at home and at your place of business, but you can Prevent Identity Theft by being smart about how you use your connection. Frist, make sure you have a secured wireless network set up at home, so that no one can connect to the network without the special key that you set up. Secondly, ensure that your work participates in high wireless security so that you can be safer from Computer Hacking. Lastly, watch out for public and free wireless access hot spots since these are unsecured and sending personal information over an unsecured network is like playing with fire. If your work involves a lot of travel and use by laptop of public Wi-Fi networks you should have a virtual private network.
You can do a web search to find the best companies -- just type in 'Virtual Private Network' that will help secure your data.