Fraud Alert: Keeping Electronic Devices Safe

Posted on January 29th, 2010.

The holiday season seemed to be teeming with ads and offers for new and creative electronic devices, gadgets, and toys. We were inundated with offers of new phones with Internet capability, upgraded laptops, Xbox or Wii’s, and home computers; perhaps a friend or loved one offered to create a Facebook account as a gift for you. ID thieves can use the Internet and wireless world to steal your personal information and create financial havoc in your life. Here are a few reminders so you can fully and securely enjoy that new electronic gift with Internet and/or wireless capability:

Any device or application involving the Internet needs to have a strong and unique Password, including social networking sites, games connected to the Internet and Online accounts (Amazon; banks; credit card companies, etc.). Do a Google search on ‘How to create strong Passwords;’

Never store any non-public personal information (for example, SS#, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, etc.) on any device that can be connected to the Internet;

Be careful and wary when using wireless devices in public; Wi-Fi cafes, airports, libraries or other public facilities are where listening devices may be able to intercept transmission;

Remember that any wireless device connected to the Internet can be hacked and/or information can be stolen via listening instruments;

For your home computer with Internet service, do some research on packages that offer a Firewall, Spyware, Virus Protection, and a Spam Filter; check with a consumer reporting magazine for some of the better companies. Even though it is an additional expense, don’t necessarily stay with the protection package that was pre-installed with your computer;