Google Ordered to Name Cyberstalker

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Stalking is about domination. It is one or more persons continually making efforts to control another person’s life and thoughts by paying unwanted attention. Stalking is when someone contacts you when you repeatedly request that they do not. They watch, follow, call, email, text, fax or continually send mail to you after you request they do not. Stalking is psychological terror. Celebrities and everyday people are potential victims of the stalker.

Stalkers become obsessive investigators, interrogators, intimidators and terrorists. Some stalking statistics report almost a million and a half people are being stalked by an ex-boyfriend, ex-girlfriend, ex-husband, ex-wife, estranged husband, estranged wife, secret admirer, or an infatuated mentally unstable individual.

Stalkers make you a prisoner in your own life. They make it known that they know where you have been, whom you have spoken to, what you have done and where you are going next. They insist that they cannot live without you and you cannot live without them.

With today’s technology, stalking has never been easier to stalk and it’s never been easier for stalkers to hide.

Until now.

Information week reports “A New York judge has ordered Google to reveal the identity of a cyberstalker who has anonymously posted video and messages on the Internet. The videos included sexual slurs and damaging information that could affect the woman’s reputation and career.

She was quoted saying “I don’t care about being called names. It was a safety issue. The Internet cannot become a safe haven for harassers and stalkers.”

And how right she is.

Cyberstalking is going away, but finally government and corporations are now thinking progressively and considering victims of these crimes and acting on their behalf accordingly.

Tips:

Set up Google alerts to keep you in tune to any postings of your name.

If something comes up that is in any way threatening report it to the police and develop a paper trail.

Every internet site has some form of “contact us” page that you can submit your concerns too.

If you do not get any response have a lawyer send a letter.

Dogs: this is also a good time to get a vicious dog. With little research a fully-grown Doberman, Pit-bull, German shepherd, Rottweiler or any other dog trained to kill can be a lifesaver. There are many outfits that will rent you a guard dog while you are in jeopardy.

Make sure you notify friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and local businesses who you are a customer of and acquainted with what your situation is and show photos of the stalker. Your circle of relationships might be a significant factor in staying safe.

Self Defense: knowing how to disable an attacker armed or unarmed should be a staple of everyday living. When you are being stalked you are essentially at war and need to understand the fundamentals of armed and unarmed combat. Once you have the tools to debilitate another human being, that’s when you decide if carrying a weapon is appropriate.

Home Security: if there was ever a time to install an alarm, it is when you are being stalked. Make sure it is monitored by local law enforcement and keep it on while you are home during the day and when you sleep at night. Wireless alarms can be installed quickly and there are no phone lines to cut.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing burglar proofing your home on Fox Boston. Disclosures.

Botnets Turn Your PC into A Zombie

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A botnet is a group of Internet-connected personal computers that have been infected by a malicious application, which allows a hacker to control the infected computers without alerting the computer owners. Since the infected PCs are controlled remotely by a single hacker, they are known as bots, robots, or zombies.

Consumers’ and small businesses’ lax security practices are giving scammers a base from which to launch attacks. Hackers use botnets to send spam and phishing emails, and to deliver viruses and other malware.

A botnet can consist of as few as ten PCs, or tens or hundreds of thousands. Millions of personal computers are potentially part of botnets.

Spain-based botnet Mariposa consisted of nearly 13 million zombie PCs in more than 190 countries. Further investigation determined that the botnet included PCs from more than half the Fortune 1000. This botnet’s sole purpose was to gather usernames and passwords for online banking and email services.

There are more than 70 varieties of malware, and while they all operate differently, most are designed to steal data. Mariposa’s technology was built on the “Butterfly” botnet kit, which is available online, and which does not require advanced hacking skills to operate.

The criminals in this operation ran the Mariposa botnet through anonymous virtual private network servers, making it difficult for law enforcement to trace back to the ringleaders.

The botnet problem persists. PCs that aren’t properly secured are at risk of being turned into zombies. Certain user behaviors can also invite attacks.

Surfing pornography websites increases your risk, as does frequenting gaming websites hosted in foreign countries. Downloading pirated content from P2P (peer-to-peer) websites is also risky. Remember, there is no honor among thieves.

Computers with old, outdated, or unsupported operating systems like Windows 95, 98, and 2000 are extremely vulnerable. Systems using old or outdated browsers such as IE 5, 6, or older versions of Firefox offer the path of least resistance.

To protect yourself, update your operating system to XP SP3 or Windows 7. Make sure to set your antivirus software to update automatically. Keep your critical security patches up-to-date by setting Windows Update to run automatically as well. And don’t engage in risky online activities that invite attacks.

Robert Siciliano, personal security expert contributor to Just Ask Gemalto, discusses scammers and thieves on The Big Idea with Donnie Deutsch. Disclosures

Home Security Source: Knowledge Is Definitely Power

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Crime and violence are generally not fun topics to write about or read about. Discussing a bloody home invasion isn’t exactly inspiring, nor does it make good dinner time chat.

Events like these are only “entertaining” when fictionalized in TV and movies and make for a gripping arms length “who dunnit”.

However the fact is these things do happen and sweeping these issues under the rug is no longer an option. For as long as I can remember “personal security” was always one of those misunderstood issues that our parents didn’t have any answers for.

The extent of our safety and security training revolved around “look both ways when you cross the street” and “don’t talk to strangers”. And it pretty much stopped there. For years and years I sought out a comprehensive resource to keep me updated on all issues personal security, however there was none.

And then there was HomeSecuritySource.com. Home Security Source is one of the few online resources with solid information on home and personal safety with new content every day. It’s a community website with the goal to offer the latest information to help homeowners to keep their homes, valuables, and family safe.

Home Security Source is your one stop to learn all about home security.  It’s where you can find information about the latest news, security products, and any information that relates to your safety.  On top of our large (and growing!) information, we also provide local crime maps for your area.

And to top it off I’m contributing all my research from over 20 years alongside stellar industry professionals dedicated to their craft.

It’s important to understand our culture has always been one to trust others and see the good in people.

While this civility has prompted us to get along and live in relative harmony, it also created a negative side effect of people putting the proverbial bedtime “sheet over their heads” so the monsters wouldn’t get them. This head in the sand, “it can’t happen to me” mentality has allowed the bad guy an upper hand for decades.

A change in attitudes is reflected by the success of Home Security Source. People want to know the truth. They feel they need to know their options and how to protect themselves and their families.

Here is an idea on how HomeSecuritySource.com has grown:

When comparing September 2010 data to an average based in the first three months, it’s possible to see:

  • Visits increase of over  400%
  • Page Views increase of over  580%
  • Unique monthly visitors increase of over 480%
  • Over 800 sites have sent traffic to the site.  Thanks to our awesome team of writers, HomeSecuritySource.com is mentioned in popular news and informational  sites

Today more than ever the bad guy knows that you are watching him. His job isn’t as easy as it used to be. Citizens are empowered like never before with the knowledge and tools to take control of their lives and protect themselves and their families. Armed with the Home Security Source, knowledge is definitely power.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing home security and identity theft on TBS Movie and a Makeover. Disclosures

Spear Phishers Know Your Name

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“Spear phishing” refers to phishing scams that are directed at a specific target. Like when Tom Hanks was stranded on the island in the movie Cast Away. He whittled a spear and targeted specific fish, rather than dropping a line with bait and catching whatever came by. When phishing attacks are directed at company officers or senior executives, it’s called “whaling,” appropriately enough. I don’t know who sits around and coins this stuff but it makes analogical sense.

Spear phishers target their victims in a number of ways.

They may select a specific industry, target specific employees with a specific rank, and pull a ruse that has been successful in the past. For example, a spear phisher might choose a human resources employee whose information is available on the company website. The phisher could then create an email that seems to come from the company’s favorite charity, assuming this information is also available online, requesting that the targeted employee post a donation link on the company’s intranet. If the target falls for the scam, the scammer has now bypassed the company’s firewall. When employees click on the malicious link, the company’s servers will be infected and antivirus software may be overridden.

Lawyers are popular targets, since they are often responsible for holding funds in escrow. A spear phisher might contact a lawyer by name, leading him or her to believe that the scammer is an American businessperson who needs help moving money while overseas.

I was recently targeted in a spear phishing scam, one aimed specifically at professional speakers. The scammers requested that I present a program in England, and once my fee was agreed upon, I was asked to get a “work permit,” which costs $850.

People who are not be targeted based on their professions may be targeted based on their use of social media. Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are known playgrounds for spear phishers, who obtain users’ email addresses and create email templates that mimic those sent by the social networking website. Scammers may even weave in names of your contacts, making the ruse appear that much more legitimate.

Knowing how spear phishers operate allows you to understand how to avoid being phished. Never click on links within the body of an email, for any reason. Bypass the links and go directly to the website responsible for the message. Any unsolicited email should be suspect. If you manage employees, test their ability to recognize a phishing email, show them how they got hooked, and then test them again.

Robert Siciliano, personal security expert contributor to Just Ask Gemalto, discusses phishing on NBC Boston. Disclosures

Top 5 Scams to Watch Out For

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#1 Nigerian Scams: According to a Dutch study, victims of advanced-fee scams, which are also known as 419 scams or Nigerian scams, lost more than $9 billion in 2009, almost 50% more than the previous year. (This PDF contains the statistics from the study.)

While these types of scams are generally understood to be Nigerian in nature and origin, and are in fact named after the 419 Nigerian code that made them illegal, advanced-fee scams were launched from 69 other countries in 2009. Scammers are broadening their targets to include emerging Internet markets, rather than simply targeting English-speaking nations.

#2 Romance Scams: If you ever hear talk like this, run far and fast: “In me sweetheart you are going to find the most passionate, loving and romantic man you have ever met. There are very few promises in life but this is one of them! ROMANCE is the key to my happiness and to my heart and soul!”

#3 Classified Ad Scams: This story caught my eye: “An online scam targeting pet-lovers is circulating the web, and it could cost you more than a new pet. An ad posted to a local online classified website by a man who claimed he was living in Florida. The seller said he had recently moved to Miami, and couldn’t keep his dog due to his new living conditions. He was willing to give the Labrador Retriever puppy named Dely away for the cost of shipping, which was $220.“

#4 Phishing: Phishing continues to become more sophisticated, more effective, and more prevalent. In one example, criminal hackers waited until Pennsylvania school administrators were on vacation, then used simple money transfers to liquidate over $440,000 between December 29 and January 2, 2010.

#5 Spear Phishing: Spear phishing occurs when the scammers concentrate on a localized target, usually an individual with control over a company’s checkbook. This insidious type of phishing occurs when a recipient clicks a link, either in the body of an email or on the spoofed website linked in the email, and a download begins. That download is almost always a virus with a remote control component, which gives the phisher full access to the user’s data, including user names and passwords, credit card and bank account details, and Social Security numbers.

Never, ever click on links in the body of an email. There is always a workaround.

Like mom said, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And even if you will never fall for these scams, someone in your life might be a tad more naïve. So educate them.

McAfee Identity Protection includes proactive identity surveillance to monitor subscribers’ credit and personal information, as well as access to live fraud resolution agents who can help subscribers work through the process of resolving identity theft issues. For additional tips, please visit http://www.counteridentitytheft.com.

Robert Siciliano is a McAfee consultant and identity theft expert. See him discuss job scams on Fox News.(Disclosures)

25 of Americas Most Dangerous Neighborhoods

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What’s the point in even knowing what the most 25 dangerous neighborhoods are? For one thing, if you live in one, you may already have a sense of it, but it would be good to know you’re considered high risk and might want to take the extra precautions and batten down the hatches. Plus for those of you who think it can’t happen to you it may be one more reason you should LOCK YOUR DOORS.

If you plan to move, it is always good to understand the crime climate of the environment you are considering. Checking this list and also contacting the local authorities will help give you an idea of what is going on.

Another great way to determine crime climate is the police blotter. If the police blotter mentions lots of violent crimes vs. another town that mentions lots of cats stuck in trees then you know what to expect. For example in Wellesley Massachusetts, a few towns over from where I live the headline in the police blotter is (and I kid you not) “Escaped cow takes to Wellesley streets” Nice.

Otherwise if you travel on business or plan to send a kid to college, knowing the crime climate of any given neighborhood is a good idea.

Chicago took the number one spot. Cleveland second. Then a couple in Vegas, and Atlanta took 4 places and Ohio a few more. So that being said see the 25 Of Americas Most Dangerous Neighborhoods all HERE.

Every family must have a plan for home security and a home security alarm.

Consider a trained German shepherd as a protection dog as well.

Another consideration is a home safe-room also known as a “panic room” where families can hide out in a relatively bullet proof, well stocked room equipped with wireless communications and wait for law enforcement to show up.

Never talk to strangers via an open or screen door. Always talk to them through a locked door.

NEVER let children open the doors. Always require an adult to do it.

Install a 24-hour camera surveillance system. Security cameras are a great deterrent.  Have them pointed to every door and access point.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing home invasions on the Gordon Elliot Show. Disclosures

Identity Theft Part 2 – 5 More Identity Theft Myths Unveiled

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#1 Publically available information is not valuable to an identity thief.

If I was an identity thief I’d start with the phone book. All information about you is of value to an identity thief. The bad guy gathers as much intelligence about you as possible. Once they get enough data to become you they are off and running. The breadcrumbs we leave behind and the information we post is all used to help them gather a complete profile.

#2 Shredding will protect me.

Shredding will keep some of your data out of the hands of a dumpster diver. But when your information is hacked because someone like your bank was hacked or your mortgage broker threw it away, you are vulnerable. While you should still shred, you should also invest in identity theft protection and a credit freeze.

#3 I don’t use the Internet, I pay in cash, my credit stinks, so I am safe.

Wrongo bongo. While you may not use the internet, others that have your information in their internet connected databases make it vulnerable. Using credit cards doesn’t mean your identity is at risk or using cash means you are any less at risk. Credit card fraud isn’t identity theft. It’s credit card fraud. Just call the credit cards issuing bank and refute the charges within 60 days and you are fine. Bad credit just means not all lenders will grant you credit. Everyone with a SSN, a pulse and even some who are dead are vulnerable.

#4 My privacy settings in social media sites are locked down, so I am safe.

Negative. The mere fact you are sharing personal identifying information of any kind with anyone online means you are at risk. Anyone who you are connected to is a potential leak, whether you know them or not. If you tell a secret to one person, you are vulnerable. If you tell it to 250 people, the secret is out. Never share information in social media that could be used to crack the code of a password reset.

#5 Shopping or banking online isn’t secure.

It all depends. More than likely the etailer or bank where you do business is more secure than your PC. It is often the consumer who is the path of least resistance to fraud. As long as your PC is secured with updated antivirus and spyware protection then you should be fine. Always look for httpS:// in the address bar. The “S” means it’s a more secure site.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source presenting 20 slides on identity theft at 20 seconds each to the National Speakers Association. Disclosures.

Part 1 of Identity Theft – 5 Identity Theft Myths Unveiled

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#1 You can’t protect yourself from identity theft.

Some, not all Identity theft is preventable. There are many things people can do to minimize their risk, both online and offline. Shred anything that has names and account numbers or any other data that can be used to con someone else into divulging even more information. Keep financial records protected and private in a locking file cabinet at home or protected PC. Opt out of junk mail. Invest in an identity theft protection service and get a credit freeze.

#2 Identity theft is only a financial crime.

There is also medical identity theft when someone poses as you to get medical attention, criminal identity theft when the thief commits crimes under your identity. There is also employment fraud when they use your SSN to get a job and identity cloning when the thief is simply trying to evade the law or others by posing as you in plain sight.

#3 Technology and computers are why identity theft is so big.

Certainly data breaches are responsible for some identity theft. However, low tech identity theft is the bigger problem. A lost or stolen wallet, checkbook, or a debit or credit card handed over to a clerk or information tossed in the trash are all the most prevalent ways your identity is jacked.

#4 Caller ID is safe.

Caller IDs are easily spoofed with technology that allows the bad guy to change what shows up on your handset. First, no matter who calls, never giver personal information over the phone if you stand to gain or lose something or if the caller states your data was lost in a computer crash. Always use the phonebook or look up the number online and call them back.

#5 Checking your credit report protects you from identity theft.

I’ve always though thought this was silly advice. Checking your credit report just tells you if your identity has been stolen. But you should still check your credit report as often as possible. Some identity theft protection services let you check it every day. I’d check it monthly if you have the option.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing identity theft on YouTube. Disclosures.

National Protect Your Identity Week is October 17-23

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The first decade of the new millennium is almost over, another year has passed and by my estimates identity theft as we know it is not getting any better, it is getting worse. I’m a big believer in the fundamentals and some things just can’t be said any other way, and to remind you I’m taking a page from a post from an entire year ago because it is absolutely essential that you – the public, corporations, associations and government agencies, all take responsibility and do what is necessary to protect yourself, your clients and your constituents.

Identity theft isn’t going away any time soon and therefore it is essential that you consume as much information to educate yourself, inform others and prevent identity theft from happening under your watch. Like any problem that we may face in life, we do our best to find a speedy and efficient solution. However identity theft is one of those problems that acts like a 10 headed monster that we keep chopping the head off but it keeps growing a new head, a new leg and a new arm.

Because we are a persistent and resilient people, and we never ever give up, we will prevail. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling has created National Protect Your Identity Week from October 17-23 to create awareness and provide information. The solution requires a coordinated effort between every single citizen, company and government official to see the big picture and to do what’s right and put the necessary systems in place that prevent the bad guy from doing his job. The solutions are near. Some of them are already in place. It’s just a matter of everyone getting on the same page and coming to an agreement.

Understand there has always been, and will always be a criminal element looking to take from those who have. The bad guy (and gal) persistently looks for their next victim all day, every day. Your job is to become informed and know what it means to become a tougher target. And in the meantime those who are responsible on a higher level to protect us, and our critical infrastructures, methods of commerce, and ways in which we identify ourselves will continue to work on the big stuff. But they need you to be aware and alert and actively participate in the process. We are all in this together.

The Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security are hiring thousands of computer experts to protect our networks. But the weakest link in the chain is not the government, but the citizens. Government has lots of work to do, but moms and pops are the most vulnerable. Enterprise networks have become hardened, while small business and the lowly consumer know enough about information security to get hacked. Awareness is key. You are either part of the problem or the solution.

Read this and every possible blog, article and report you have access to so you can stay on top of what is new and ahead of what is next in technology and the security necessary to keep it safe. Build your IT security vocabulary. Become an expert in identity theft and information security. Be the go-to-person in your home or organization who has all the answers to the problem.

A number of national organizations are also putting their weight behind this initiative, joining the NFCC and BBB as Supporting PYIW Coalition Members.  This Coalition includes: American Bankers Association Education Foundation, American Financial Services Association Education Foundation, American Payroll Association, Consumer Action, Consumer Data Industry Association, Consumer Federation of America, Credit Union National Association, Federal Reserve Board, Federal Trade Commission, FICO, Foundation for Financial Planning, Identity Theft Assistance Center, Identity Theft Resource Center, Jump$tart Coalition for Financial Literacy, Junior Achievement USA, National Association of Triads, National Council of La Raza, National Crime Prevention Council, National Education Association Member Benefits, National Sheriffs’ Association, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Social Security Administration.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to  Home Security Source discussing home security and identity theft on TBS Movie and a Makeover. Disclosures.

McAfee Reveals the Top Ten Most Dangerous Places to Leave Your Social Security Number

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Universities/Colleges are the Riskiest

Research conducted by Robert Siciliano, Identity Theft expert, on behalf of McAfee

Cases of identity theft are skyrocketing, and 32% of all ID theft victims had their social security number compromised according to Javelin’s 2010 Identity Fraud Survey Report.  In honor of National Identity Protection week, McAfee set out to reveal the most dangerous places to leave your social security number.

When your Social Security number is used to commit fraud, it feels very personal. It can take hundreds of hours and sometimes thousands of dollars to rectify this violation.

Criminals find these crucial nine digits on discarded files in dumpsters, inside an organizations’ file cabinets, in any of the hundreds of databases maintained by government, corporate, and educational institutions, or even in public records, which are freely accessible on the Internet.

Robert Siciliano, on behalf of McAfee,  analyzed data breaches published by the Identity Theft Resource Center, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and the Open Security Foundation that involved Social Security number breaches from January 2009 – October 2010 to reveal the riskiest places to lose your ID.

The top 10 most dangerous places to give out your Social Security number are:

#1 – Universities/Colleges (108)

#2 – Banking/Financial Institutions (96)

#3 – Hospitals (71)

#4 – State Governments (57)

#5 – Local Governments (44)

#6 – Federal Governments (33)

#7 – Medical Businesses (27) (Please note: These are businesses that concentrate on services and products for the medical field such as distributers of diabetes or dialysis supplies, medical billing services, pharmaceutical companies, etc.)

#8 – Non-Profit Organizations (23)

#9 – Technology Companies (22)

#10 (tied) – Medical Insurance and Medical Offices/Clinics (21)


Your Social Security Number is Your National ID

For the past 70 years, the Social Security number has become our de facto national ID. The numbers were first issued in the 1930s to track income for Social Security benefits. But functionality creep, which occurs when an item, process, or procedure ends up serving a purpose that it was never intended to perform, soon took effect.

Here we are, decades later, and the Social Security number has become the key to the kingdom. You’re forced to disclose your Social Security number regularly, and it appears in hundreds or even thousands of files, records, and databases, accessible to an untold number of people.

What’s the danger of it getting into the wrong hands? Anyone who does access your Social Security number can use it to impersonate you in a hospital, bank, or just about anywhere else.

Hackers are Getting the Key to your Credit

Any organization that extends any form of credit is going to need your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number in order to verify your identity and run a credit check. This means hospitals, insurers, banks, credit card companies, car dealerships and other retailers, and even video rental stores.

Now more than ever, criminal hackers are hacking into databases that contain Social Security numbers and using the numbers to open new financial accounts. Criminals use stolen Social Security numbers to obtain mobile phones, credit cards, and even bank loans. Some victims whose Social Security numbers fell into the hands of identity thieves have even had their mortgages refinanced and their equity stripped.

When should you provide your Social Security number, and when should you refuse?

According to the Social Security Administration, you should:

1. Show your card to your employer when you start a job so your records are correct

2. Provide your Social Security number to your financial institution(s) for tax reporting purposes

3. Keep your card and any other document that shows your Social Security number on it in a safe place

4. DO NOT routinely carry your card or other documents that display your number

But beyond that they have no advice and frankly, no authority.

A federal law, 42 USC Chapter 7, Subchapter IV, Part D, Sec. 666(a)(13), enacted in 1996, determines when the numbers should be used. The law requires Social Security numbers to be recorded for “any applicant for a professional license, driver’s license, occupational license, recreational license or marriage license.” It can be used and recorded by creditors, the Department of Motor Vehicles, whenever a cash transaction exceeds $10,000, and in military matters.

What happens when you refuse to give out your Social Security number?

–  Many people refuse, and quickly discover that this creates a number of hurdles that must be overcome in order to obtain services. A demand may be made that you, the customer, jump through a series of inconvenient hoops.

– Most customers are denied the service altogether, and from what we can tell, this is perfectly legal.

– When faced with either option, most people give up, and hand-over their number.

These organizations often state the Social Security number requirement in their terms of service, which you must sign in order to do business with them. They acquire this data for their own protection, since by making a concerted effort to verify the identities of their customers, they establish a degree of accountability. Otherwise, anyone could pose as anyone else without consequence.

Although I’d rather not, I frequently provide my Social Security number. But I do take steps to protect myself, or at least to reduce my vulnerability.

Tips To Protect Yourself:

1. In honor of National Protect Your Identity Week (October 17-23, 2010), check your credit report this week using a reputable firm such as, Experian, and set reminders every three months to review it again.

2. You can refuse to provide your Social Security number.

3. Invest in an identity protection service. Because there are times you cannot withhold your Social Security number, an identity protection service can monitor your bank information and your personal ID.  McAfee® Identity Protection (CounterIdentityTheft.com) will alert you, help prevent loss of personal information, allows unlimited checks of your credit, credit monitoring, scanning of the internet and identity fraud resolution.

4. Securely dispose of mail. The standard advice is to thoroughly shred preapproved credit card offers and anything that includes any account information. While this is good advice and should be heeded, it’s not going to protect you when your bank or mortgage company or utility provider tosses your information in a dumpster that is subsequently raided by identity thieves.

5. Opt out of junk mail and preapproved credit card offers. This is good advice and can be done at OptOutPrescreen.com. However, even if you opt out of new offers, others will still arrive. It’s inevitable. You also need to get a locking mailbox, but that still won’t fully protect you.

6. Lock down your PC. McAfee Total Protection™ software is the most comprehensive security tool to protect your computers data.

Robert Siciliano is a McAfee Consultant and Identity Theft Expert. See him discussing Social Security Numbers as National IDs on Fox News. (Disclosures)