Another
major problem is identity theft. Why steal another person's credit card
numbers when you can get your own under an assumed identity. I watched a
disturbing report not long ago about the head of a security firm who
refused to have an Internet connection at home, or to carry out personal
transactions online. He challenged workers within the organization to
see how much information they could gather on him through the Internet.
Within a couple of weeks, a frightening
pile of documentation piled up. A file over two inches thick included a
certified copy of his birth certificate. With that information, a person
could obtain a credit card, a drivers license and happily begin to run
up huge bills under his name. Many documented cases of identity theft
have led to the ruin of many innocent people's lives.
There are many "spy" services
who, for a few bucks, are
quite willing to provide anyone with enough information to begin
building a usable personal profile. Such information is legally
provided, and includes court records, bankruptcy details, marriage and
birth certificates. Even more disturbing is that a number of these
services are provided by our governments.
If you start receiving bills for items
you didn't order from companies you have never heard of, don't disregard
them as billing mistakes. You may be the victim of identity theft.
Contact your bank manager and law enforcement authorities immediately.
Whether netizen or web master, we
can't stop credit card fraud or identity theft, but we can minimise it
by being aware and taking responsibility for the amount of information
we store and give away. We can also act as watchdogs. This may cut down
on the number of script kiddie type activities currently being
seen online.
A note to the Script Kiddies: if
you think credit card fraud, identity theft and other hacking activities
are exciting and cool, just wait until you land in jail. You will be
caught. It's just a matter of time. I've been having a lot of fun lately
busting you guys for port scanning. I'm sure the police will find many
other interesting details on your computers that you've been hiding from
your parents.
A note to scammers and spammers
who have been trying to get me to open bank accounts, participate in
illegal MLM and "surplus oil money" schemes, watch this
space... your names and details will appear here soon in the TTB Hall of
Shame! I'm more than happy to use the same technology you have used to
target me to make YOUR details known to the public.
To the merchant who illegally
distributed not just my
details, but those of thousands of others, it was comforting to hear
that you have been caught and face a hefty jail sentence. May you live
in interesting times...
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