Online Security & E-Security
Most people just want to go about their lives without hassle or breaking any rules. The main threat to a person or an organisation now, is having your identity stolen and a whole raft of issues being created in your name. Only recently a boss and family man was arrested on a Sunday morning in front of his family for a racist comment believed to have been made by him to a local authority website. Four hours later, he was released without charge as the Police were happy that he was not the creator of the comment. The emotional damage let alone the cloud of suspicion it raised about his business was severe. The culprit had no idea of the consequences it would have when posing as his friend in this communication with the Authority. Lesson learnt but the damage is permanent.
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The problem is when we just fill in a form or respond without thinking to an email, we are likely to have confirmed we exist and that we can be approached. What danger does this present? ID theft is on the rise, as are targeted credit card crimes.
Remember to: Stop - Think - Act!
If your home was one of more than 5,000 to be burgled in England and Wales last week, the bad news might not be over yet: the thieves may well have taken your identity as well as your possessions.
One in seven break-ins were carried out purely to steal enough personal information to impersonate the householder.
With burglaries on the up - nearly 142,000 took place between April and June alone, according to the National Crime Survey, almost 3,000 more than the same period in 2008 - it's clear your personal data is increasingly at risk in your own home.
Why do they want your details?
A large number of break-ins involve taking documents such as bank statements, driving licences, payment cards and utility bills. In some cases that's all the thieves want.
They sell on the documents to specialist fraudsters, who then use the details to clear out your accounts or set up fake ones. The subsequent identity fraud can take months to sort out.
These simple steps can help keep your home - and your identity - safer.
Password protect your computer
Make it difficult for burglars to find your bank and card records, passwords and the other personal information that is a gift to an ID fraudster.
Use a password with upper and lower case and numbers that is at least eight digits long and avoid obvious combinations, such as your date of birth, home town, nickname or children's names.
Take care of your mail
Don't leave anything with your full name and address lying around. Utility bills, council tax statements, bank and card statements can all be used as proof of residence when applying for credit.
Keep them out of sight and, when you are finished with them, shred them. Also, shred direct mail and even old catalogues carrying your name, address and account number as well. These could be used to set up a fake account or access an existing one.
Never keep a note of PINs and passwords
If a bank statement is useful to an ID thief, then a statement along with your PIN and password is gold dust, so learn your security information and never keep it with the relevant documentation - there's no point in making a thief's life easy.
Hide or lock away all valuable documents
That includes your driving licence, passport, car registration documents, chequebooks and any payment cards you keep at home. Safes are now relatively inexpensive and simple to attach to walls or floors, so you might want to consider buying one.
Don't encourage ID thieves
The friendly person you met on holiday, the nice bloke in the bar, the charity rep who stops you in the street and the online marketing survey might not be what they seem, so never share personal details with strangers.
You could be giving them the opportunity to track you down and clear you out. The inclusive nature of social networks can make you especially vulnerable, so beware of sharing your full name, address, date of birth or any information that you use as a PIN or password.
Get physical security
Burglars want an easy life. If they hear a dog barking, see a burglar alarm box or are confronted by bars on windows, they'll more than likely pick another target - and you may also qualify for a discount on your home insurance.
Joining the local neighbourhood watch is also a good idea - there is strength in numbers.
Don't advertise your absence
Holidays are a good opportunity for burglars. Cancel the milk and papers, set timers for lights and a radio and get a friend to pop round each day and collect your post.
And if the worst happens...
If you are burgled, start by calling the police but don't forget to tell your bank, social security people, card issuers and anyone else who has your financial details.
You might also want to keep an eye on your credit report going forward: burglars sometimes wait weeks or even months before using personal details.