Identity Theft Expert and Speaker on Personal Security Warned Cell Phone Users to Beware Stalkers Who Use Cell Phone Snoopware

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(BOSTON, Mass. – July 25, 2007 – IDTheftSecurity.com) News reports have highlighted cell phone snooping software, an emerging threat to cell phone users that combines sophisticated hacking techniques with aggressive stalking behavior. Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert, advised consumers to exercise caution as they receive unsolicited text messages and calls.

“People who don’t want strangers to gain wholesale, remote access to their cell phones should treat each and every unsolicited text message and call as suspect,” said Siciliano. “Cell snooping snoopware, which sophisticated hackers can install from a remote location onto cell phones, makes all conversations on the compromised device accessible to the hacker and has been claimed to commandeer a camera phone’s viewing functionality.”

CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients in workshops that explore consumer education solutions for security issues. A longtime identity theft speaker and author of “The Safety Minute: 01,” he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s “Today Show,” FOX News, and elsewhere.

Readers may view YouTube video below of Siciliano’s recent appearance on the “The Morning Show With Mike and Juliet.” There, he appeared with a mother and family member who claim three of the family’s cell phones fell prey to highly sophisticated hackers who used the devices to stalk the family, viewing and listening to their private activities via the phone’s built-in camera and recording capabilities.

Two months ago, CNNMoney.com reported on a form of malware that installs on cell phones, warning readers to expect the threat to grow in prevalence in the coming months. Since, other news outlets such as PC World and Computerworld have debated the likelihood of cell snooping snoopware. According to reports, “roving bugs”—the term that hacking script making cell snooping possible is known as—are possible, but exotic.

“Cell snooping snoopware is relatively rare, and the logistical obstacles to its spread are significant,” said Siciliano. “Nevertheless, technology remains a step ahead of law enforcement, and the capability to snoop on cell phone users through the use of snoopware is real and, in time, may become pervasive.”

“Someone who suspects that her phone has been affected by cell snooping software must contact law enforcement officials immediately,” Siciliano concluded. “Cell snooping stalkers’ behavior can be aggressive and dangerous, and the effect on victims can foster a profound sense of fear. Cell phone snoopers have used remote access to a cell phone to stalk not only owners of the device, but family and friends of the owner as well.”

Readers may learn how to protect themselves against identity theft, a major concern for anyone whose electronic communication devices have been hacked, by viewing video of Siciliano at VideoJug.

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About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all. Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients.

A leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, “FOX News,” NBC’s “Today Show,” “The Suze Orman Show,” “The Montel Williams Show,” “Maury Povich,” “Sally Jesse Raphael,” “The Howard Stern Show,” and “Inside Edition.” The Privacy Learning Institute features him on its Website. Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft. These include Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others.

Visit Siciliano’s Web site, www.IDTheftSecurity.com; blog, www.realtysecurity.com/blog; and YouTube page, http://youtube.com/stungundotcom.

The media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly:

Robert Siciliano, Personal Security Expert
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
www.idtheftsecurity.com

Identity Theft Expert and Speaker on Personal Security Says Laptop Computers Need Security Technology Similar to What Is Already Available on Handhelds

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(BOSTON, Mass. – July 23, 2007 – IDTheftSecurity.com) Recent news has highlighted the security capabilities built into a popular handheld computing device. According to Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert, laptop computers need similar functionality. He urged organizations to close the gap by equipping their mobile computers with MyLaptopGPS™.

“Any mobile device poses a major security risk,” said Siciliano. “And yet the security functionality built into many handhelds is missing from laptop computers. Fortunately, a company called MyLaptopGPS makes it possible to equip a laptop with high-tech security that not only protects data, but, with Internet-based GPS, greatly increases the likelihood of locating a stolen or lost machine.”

CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients in workshops that explore consumer education solutions for security issues. A longtime identity theft speaker and author of “The Safety Minute: 01,” he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s “Today Show,” FOX News, and elsewhere.

Readers may view news footage below of Siciliano using a recent BlackBerry® hacking incident as backdrop to discuss the vulnerabilities of wireless, mobile computing devices. According to a July 2 report in Computerworld, the data on a lost BlackBerry can be deleted and retrieved remotely. Siciliano has long emphasized that laptops need similar capabilities, and has urged organizations and individuals alike to turn to MyLaptopGPS, which, at an affordable price, equips laptop computers with remote data deletion and retrieval functionality plus Internet-based GPS to locate lost machines.

MyLaptopGPS combines Internet-based GPS tracking — which, for tracking and retrieving stolen laptops, is more effective than other forms of GPS — with other functionalities that users can launch remotely to protect data even while the machine is in a criminal’s hands. Once connected to the Internet, the software silently retrieves, and then deletes, files from machines as it tracks the stolen or missing hardware — at once returning the data to its rightful owner and removing it from the lost computer.

“Anyone who has lost a laptop computer knows the feeling of wanting to ‘push the button’ that would retrieve and delete his personal data from the missing machine,” said Dan Yost, chief technology officer at MyLaptopGPS. “Many owners of handheld devices enjoy this capability, and there’s no reason laptop users shouldn’t, too. Our technology and service does just that, and more, giving owners of laptop computers the peace of mind any mobile device user deserves.”

A downloadable demo of MyLaptopGPS is available. Recently, Yost delivered comments for a televised news report pertaining to the loss of laptop computers containing the Social Security numbers of numerous teachers at Chicago’s public schools. Readers may view YouTube video of the “NBC 7 Chicago” footage below.

To learn more about identity theft, a major concern for anyone who has been affected by the theft of a laptop computer, readers may go to video of Siciliano at VideoJug.

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About MyLaptopGPS

Since 1984, Tri-8, Inc. (DBA MyLaptopGPS.com) has specialized in complete system integration. From real-time electronic payment processing software to renowned mid-market ERP implementations, the executive team at MyLaptopGPS has been serving leading enterprises and implementing world-class data systems that simply work. With MyLaptopGPS™, Tri-8, Inc. brings a level of expertise, dedication, knowledge and service that is unmatched. MyLaptopGPS™’s rock-solid performance, security, and reliability flow directly from the company’s commitment to top-notch software products and services for almost 25 years.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. A leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, “FOX News,” NBC’s “Today Show,” “The Suze Orman Show,” “The Montel Williams Show,” “Maury Povich,” “Sally Jesse Raphael,” “The Howard Stern Show,” and “Inside Edition.” The Privacy Learning Institute features him on its Website. Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft. These include Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others.

For more information, visit Siciliano’s Web site, www.IDTheftSecurity.com; blog, www.realtysecurity.com/blog; and YouTube page, http://youtube.com/stungundotcom.

The media are encouraged to get in touch with any of the following individuals:

John Dunivan
MyLaptopGPS Media Relations
PHONE: (405) 747-6654 (direct line)
jd@MyLaptopGPS.com
www.MyLaptopGPS.com

Robert Siciliano, Personal Security Expert
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
www.idtheftsecurity.com

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.biz
www.STETrevisions.biz

Identity Theft Expert and Speaker on Personal Security Chastises Lobbying Groups’ Attempt to Weaken States’ Credit Freeze Laws

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(BOSTON, Mass. – July 20, 2007 – IDTheftSecurity.com) News reports have documented industry lobbyists’ efforts to roll back credit freeze legislation. Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert, said no one should disallow consumers from freezing their credit. According to Siciliano, the credit freeze is the best recourse available for any consumer who might be at risk of identity theft.

“Consumers lacked the credit freeze for a long time precisely because of its added cost to provide,” said Siciliano. “And legislators everywhere must continue to push for and defend the credit freeze as an option for consumers, as it’s no wonder that groups shouldering these costs would try to shirk the responsibility.”

CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients in workshops that explore consumer education solutions for security issues. A longtime identity theft speaker and author of “The Safety Minute: 01,” he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s “Today Show,” FOX News, and elsewhere.

On June 25, USA Today reported in detail efforts by the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA), lobbying group for the three major credit bureaus, to reverse more than 35 states’ pro–credit freeze legislation. Brief reports also ran in Identity Theft Daily, ImediNews, and elsewhere, and The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle published an editorial questioning the CDIA’s wisdom and motives. According to the article in USA Today, the CDIA maintains that identity theft is less widespread than report have stated.

“Plenty of research points to the growing prevalence of identity theft,” said Siciliano. “Studies finding otherwise are few and have attracted strong skepticism. But contrarian data has been useful to organizations wishing to downplay the pervasiveness of this crime and the attendant need consumers have to defend themselves with the credit freeze.”

Many studies have pointed to steady, year-over-year increases in identity theft and other credit-related crimes. For instance, research released in March of this year by Gartner found that 15 million Americans fell prey to identity theft–related fraud in 2006. The number was a 50 percent increase over the 9.9 million Americans that the Federal Trade Commission had estimated, in 2003, would be affected by year 2006.

“A perfect storm of variables is driving a boom in identity theft and fraud,” said Siciliano. “Illegal immigration, increasingly sophistication computer hacking, inattention to data security, drug addiction, and more are fueling the rise of identity theft, an easy way for criminals to make money. Often, the consumer’s only shelter is the credit freeze. Industry efforts to disallow the credit freeze only make it another part of that storm.”

Readers may view YouTube video below of Siciliano on the “The Morning Show With Mike and Juliet” discussing the benefits of credit freezes with a child identity theft victim whose father racked up over $3 million in debt under the youth’s name.

To learn more about identity theft, readers may view video of Siciliano at VideoJug.

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About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all. Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients.

A leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, “FOX News,” NBC’s “Today Show,” “The Suze Orman Show,” “The Montel Williams Show,” “Maury Povich,” “Sally Jesse Raphael,” “The Howard Stern Show,” and “Inside Edition.” The Privacy Learning Institute features him on its Website. Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft. These include Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others.

Visit Siciliano’s Web site, www.IDTheftSecurity.com; blog, www.realtysecurity.com/blog; and YouTube page, http://youtube.com/stungundotcom.

The media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly:

Robert Siciliano, Personal Security Expert
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
www.idtheftsecurity.com

The media may also contact:

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.biz
www.STETrevisions.biz

Identity Theft: Expert and Speaker on Personal Security Joins MyLaptopGPS™ in Challenging Organizations to Improve Laptop Computer Security

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(BOSTON, Mass. – July 11, 2007 – IDTheftSecurity.com) The Department of Homeland Security has found a major U.S. federal agency’s laptop computers to be poorly secured. Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert, urged organizations to reconsider their lax laptop security policies and turn to MyLaptopGPS™, an affordable Internet-based system for protecting mobile devices against otherwise costly loss and theft.

“Smart organizations understand that a well-secured fleet of laptop computers saves money,” said Siciliano. “Any theft or loss of a laptop computer can be devastatingly costly, especially when sensitive data such as Social Security numbers go missing with the hardware. Customers or other constituents lose trust in the organization, attempts to recover unsecured machines are typically unsuccessful, and the negligence that often contributes to these incidents invites justifiable class action lawsuits.”

CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients in workshops that explore consumer education solutions for security issues. A longtime identity theft speaker and author of “The Safety Minute: 01,” he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s “Today Show,” FOX News, and elsewhere.

Readers may view a YouTube video below of Siciliano using a recent Blackberry hacking incident related to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign as backdrop to discuss the vulnerabilities of wireless, mobile computing devices.

As reported on July 3 by FCW.com, the Office of Inspector General (IG) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has found that the security of laptop computers belonging to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is poor across a wide spectrum of criteria. A report from the DHS’s IG detailed a number of issues affecting the security of FEMA’s laptops and other computers. Of particular concern was FEMA’s inability to account for a significant number of mobile computers known to be in its inventory.

“For a long time, MyLaptopGPS has touted solutions to the issues DHS delineates in its report,” said Dan Yost, chief technology officer at MyLaptopGPS. “Any government agency, company, or other type of large organization that relies on lax security for its fleets of laptop computers invites disaster and ought to stand up and take notice in response to wake-up calls like these.”

For more information on MyLaptopGPS’s recommendations for organizations wishing to secure their fleets of laptop computers, click here.

MyLaptopGPS’s technology combines Internet-based GPS tracking—which, for tracking and retrieving stolen laptops, is more effective than other forms of GPS—with other functionalities that users can launch remotely to protect data even while the machine is in a criminal’s hands. Once connected to the Internet, the software silently retrieves, and then deletes, files from machines as it tracks the stolen or missing hardware—at once returning the data to its rightful owner and removing it from the lost computer.

Furthermore, SafeRegistry™, an inventory management system built into MyLaptopGPS, allows for the secure storage, retrieval, and reporting of information that helps organizations like FEMA keep track of their laptop computers. This information includes, but is not limited to:

• Serial numbers

• Model numbers

• Purchase information

• Photographs

• SafeTag™ numbers

• Location

A downloadable demo of MyLaptopGPS is available. Recently, Yost delivered comments for a televised news report pertaining to the loss of laptop computers containing the Social Security numbers of numerous teachers at Chicago’s public schools. Below is the YouTube video of Dan Yost and the “NBC 7 Chicago” footage.

To learn more about identity theft, a major concern for anyone who has been affected by the theft of a laptop computer, readers may go to video of Siciliano at VideoJug.

About MyLaptopGPS

Since 1984, Tri-8, Inc. (DBA MyLaptopGPS.com) has specialized in complete system integration. From real-time electronic payment processing software to renowned mid-market ERP implementations, the executive team at MyLaptopGPS has been serving leading enterprises and implementing world-class data systems that simply work. With MyLaptopGPS™, Tri-8, Inc. brings a level of expertise, dedication, knowledge and service that is unmatched. MyLaptopGPS™’s rock-solid performance, security, and reliability flow directly from the company’s commitment to top-notch software products and services for almost 25 years.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report‘s editorial board, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. A leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," NBC’s "Today Show," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." The Privacy Learning Institute features him on its Website. Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft. These include Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others.

For more information, visit Siciliano’s Web site, www.IDTheftSecurity.com; blog, www.realtysecurity.com/blog; and YouTube page, http://youtube.com/stungundotcom.

The media are encouraged to get in touch with any of the following individuals:

John Dunivan
MyLaptopGPS Media Relations
PHONE: (405) 747-6654 (direct line)
jd@MyLaptopGPS.com
www.MyLaptopGPS.com

Robert Siciliano, Personal Security Expert
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
www.idtheftsecurity.com

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.biz
www.STETrevisions.biz

Identity Theft: New Technologies Can End the Use of Social Security Numbers as Universal Identifiers—Identity Theft Expert and Speaker on Personal Security

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(BOSTON, Mass. – July 5, 2007 – IDTheftSecurity.com) A report by the General Accounting Office recently indicated that Social Security numbers (SSNs) remain available to potential theft. Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert, called the situation inexcusable and pointed to examples of new technologies that can end the use of SSNs as universal identifiers.

“Citizens need both hands to count how many times these past few years we’ve heard that our confidential, sensitive information is available for thieves’ taking,” said Siciliano. “There is absolutely no excuse for the Social Security number to remain as the universal identifier.”

CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients in workshops that explore consumer education solutions for security issues. A longtime identity theft speaker and author of “The Safety Minute: 01,” he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s “Today Show,” FOX News, and elsewhere.

On June 21, an Associated Press article that ran in The Washington Post and other news outlets gave various elected officials’ reactions to a recently released report from the General Accounting Office. The GAO’s report said SSNs remain, on a wide scale, susceptible to theft despite government’s attempts to secure them. According to the article, U.S. Senators called to disallow state and local record keepers from posting even partial SSNs online. The same day of the GAO report’s release, Congress held a hearing on protecting the privacy of SSNs.

“Discussions that center on better security for Social Security numbers are misguided,” said Siciliano. “The Social Security number is the key to the kingdom, and while government and industry must do better to protect Social Security numbers wherever they’re viewable, only new forms of identification less usable by thieves will solve the problem.”

At the Congressional hearing, Ana I. Anton, an advisor to the Department of Homeland Security’s Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee and a member of the U.S. Public Policy Committee of the Association for Computing Machinery, proposed policies that would combine business procedures and information technology to help protect SSNs and reduce the nation’s reliance on them for personal identification. She urged banks, credit agencies, and government agencies to require strong proof of identity, such as passports, military IDs, or licenses with a photograph to verify personal identity.

“Technology has made it more feasible than ever before to replace Social Security numbers with alternative identifiers in almost every circumstance,” said Siciliano.

Some technologies include biometrics. Another, MagnePrints, recognizes, at the point of manufacture, DNA in identification cards’ and credit cards’ magnetic strips, eliminating the viability of counterfeit cards.

“The transition to new, more secure technologies will of course require much needed investments,” said Siciliano. “Politicians owe it to their constituencies to muster the political will to spend that money.”

Readers may view a YouTube video below of Siciliano using the breach of customer data at an exclusive tropical resort as context to discuss the dangers of Social Security numbers as all-purpose identifiers. To learn more about identity theft, readers may click here to view video of Siciliano at VideoJug.

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About IDTheftSecurity.com
Identity theft affects us all. Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients.

A leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, “FOX News,” NBC’s “Today Show,” “The Suze Orman Show,” “The Montel Williams Show,” “Maury Povich,” “Sally Jesse Raphael,” “The Howard Stern Show,” and “Inside Edition.” The Privacy Learning Institute features him on its Website. Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft. These include Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others.

Visit Siciliano’s Web site, www.IDTheftSecurity.com; blog, www.realtysecurity.com/blog; and YouTube page, http://youtube.com/stungundotcom.

The media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly:

Robert Siciliano
Personal Security Expert
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
www.idtheftsecurity.com

The media may also contact:

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.biz
www.STETrevisions.biz