FTC debuts new "Cyber Mall" to highlight identity theft risks & online security awareness

The FTC has recently opened a site to spread awareness of how easy it is to unknowingly fall victim to online scams & the identity thefts risks associated with social networking sites. Some of the games & scenarios include info on how (&why) to protect your personal information, how to spot scams, including spotting advertising techniques, nigerian (419) letters, free vacations, modeling offers & much more. This is a great site with information everyone young & old can learn from.

From the FTC's news release:
"At the Security Plaza, visitors can build a social networking page and see the unintended consequences of posting personal information. They also get tips on how to keep their computers safe while they're online. In the arcade, visitors can play Info Defender 3 and protect Earthlings from Cyclorian invaders who would steal their identities. The game teaches the importance of protecting personal information, including Social Security numbers."

http://www.ftc.gov/youarehere/

Happy (belated) data privacy day !

Even though we forgot write a post about it (whoops). I sure hope that you were able to celebrate data privacy day back on Jan. 28th. The main idea is to devote 1 day a year to actually thinking about & discussing data privacy concerns. Since alot of this data is comprised from databases it fits snuggly side-by-side into the Id Theft concerns we like to discuss.

Intel , Microsoft, Google, along with several other companies are behind this official holiday. Here are a few links that can help in securing your data.

1. Nothing beats Pre-Paid Legals' Identity Theft Protection
2. Lifehacker always has good tips.
3. The IAPP is a worldwide organization dedicated to spreading information about ID privacy .
4. Here is site for MAC users with some good tips

Free software links to help you keep your computer (& identity) safe:

Commodo Internet Security suite is a well rounded, low system resource package

PC-Tools Antivirus is a decent realtime Antivirus scanner. The same company also created Threatfire to compliment any other (even paid ones like Norton's & McAfee) antivirus scanner. *Caveat* : Threatfire should not be used by itself but to enhance a "library based" scanner that receives nightly updates.

There is no excuse to NOT encrypt your Windows hard drive with the free, "Open Source" Truecrypt.

Don't forget to sign your mail too! There is free software available to integrate with your MS Outlook.

Of course, nothing beats physical security & awareness wherever you are.