In this modern day and age, the Internet is unarguably the largest and most prevalent form of communication used by society on a daily basis. While phones and mail services are still commonly used, there is no secret to how powerful and active the Internet is in terms of bridging the communication gap between people of different cultures and geographic backgrounds.
Yet with the diversity of benefits brought by the Internet and its related technological components, the vast shared cyberspace has also become a breeding ground for thieves, scam artists, and criminals of all sorts. These people prey on people who use credit cards to purchase via the web and those who are naively looking for information and solution regarding their problems. Computer forensics and other technological advancements are highly researched in law enforcement fields, while there is much you can do for your own safety in the meantime.
Computer Forensics—What Law Enforcement Officials Are Doing
Chasing down cyber criminals is a challenge—you have to act quickly if there is to be any chance of apprehending the criminals. That being said, there are tools that law enforcement officials use to combat identity theft and similar electronic crimes.
Computer forensics refers to the practice of investigating digital data in a forensically (legally) sound manner in order to find or recover facts about the crime. To do this, specialists can examine all points of traffic into and out of your computer and digital accounts. They may be able to determine the origin of the crime and trace it back to the perpetrator.
What You Can Lose?
Different forms of criminal acts are reported nowadays, from websites being hacked and altered to credit card information getting stolen and used. Even displaying your most basic data on social networking sites can result into devastating outcomes. Sadly, most web users are unaware of the dangers of sharing their information online and put no limits to what and where they share it. To help you avoid the dangers of online criminal activities, below are some preventive measures every web surfer should practice regularly or whenever they use the web.
But first, what dangers should you watch out for? One of the major criminal activities reported to be committed online is identity theft. This is when sensitive data like credit cards, bank account, and SS numbers are accessed without proper consent or even the knowledge of the owner. The crime also involves the use of such sensitive information to carry out transactions or steal the identity of the victim for his/her personal gains.
Based on a report made by the Federal Trade Commission, more than 9 million U.S. citizens have their identities stolen yearly. A government report released January of 2008 stated that identity theft cases increased by as much as 22% over a period of 1 year. 11.6% of these cases were found to involve the Internet, and that victims were web users.
The effects of having one’s identity stolen or financial information stolen and then being used to commit criminal acts can echo into the victim’s credit documents and have substantial effects towards their future lives. For example, the employment of the individual may be jeopardized when employers perform regular checks on their workforce. In many cases, the credit information stolen is used to purchase thousands of dollars worth of items, leaving the victim bankrupt. This will disable the victim from acquiring decent loans for a car or house.
Preventing Theft and Loss:
How does one protect himself from possible identity theft online and other dangers that lie ahead with the use of the Internet? Here are a couple of simple yet effective strategies that anyone could employ to protect themselves and the information they share via cyberspace.
One simple tip is to limit your Internet use. If you are browsing the web to play games or purchase items and not really for work-related purpose, it is ideal to limit your use on a daily basis. Also, you should limit your participation in social networking sites. Though sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are secured, users are given the freedom to post whatever it is they want. Avoid posting any personal and sensitive information about yourself or your family that can be used against you.
Another tip to keep in mind is be smart. Web users carelessly browse different websites without even having an idea on what it is. Avoid putting in your personal and credit card information if you have even the slightest doubts of its credibility.
Digital crime is a real threat, but by taking the right precautions and actions, you can protect yourself; learn more about how at dell.com.
