Entries by Robert Siciliano

Typosquatting on Twitter and other social networks

Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Expert Typosquatting, which is also known as URL hijacking, is a form of cybersquatting that targets Internet users who accidentally type a website address into their web browser incorrectly. When users make a typographical error while entering the website address, they may be led to an alternative website owned by a cybersquatter. This…

How to prevent social media identity theft

Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Expert Two words: you can’t. However, there are several things you can and should do in order to manage your social media identity, which may prevent social media identity theft. What exactly is social media identity theft? It’s a form of cybersquatting using social media sites. If you’ve ever attempted to join a social…

ATM Skimmer Defeated By Customer

Identity Theft Expert Robert Siciliano Its not often that I get to report on the victim becoming the victor. It’s nice to see the good guys win one. I met a charismatic gent on FOX and Friends named Sean Seibel. Sean has a unique job title at Microsoft: User Experience Evangelist. Sean’s job is to be on…

Data Breaches; LexisNexis – FAA Hacked, Botnets Grow, Hackers Hold Data Ransom

Identity Theft Expert What a week. Just when it starts to get boring, criminal hackers put on a spectacular show. Criminal hackers continue to step up to the plate. Security professionals are fighting, and sometimes losing, the battle. Here’s one week’s worth of hacks: Lexis Nexis, which owns ChoicePoint, an information broker I recently blogged…

Lie to Me; Social Engineering and Bold Face Cons

Identity Theft Expert If only our noses grew every time we lied. Life would be so transparent. Social engineering is the act of manipulating people into performing certain actions or divulging confidential information. While similar to a confidence trick or simple fraud, the term typically applies to trickery or deception for the purpose of information…

Privacy Is Dead, Identity Theft Prospers

My information is in lots and lots of different places. I sacrifice a lot of privacy because of the nature of my business. If I wasnt so dependant on eyeballs I’d live much differently. However to participate in society on any level, privacy becomes a dead issue. Accept it. Or live in the jungle in…

P2P on Your PC Equals Identity Theft

Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Speaker Peer to peer file sharing is a great technology used to share data over peer networks.  It’s also great software to get hacked. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is responding to reports that peer to peer file sharing allows Internet users to access other P2P users’ most important…

Perez Hilton is a Hater and Social Media Suffers

Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Expert I was on CNN this week and CNN also featured Perez Hilton, who was hired by Donald Trump, to judge a beauty contest and Hilton made hateful remarks about Miss Californias beliefs. Perez is a hateful sardonic celebrity critic, and his actions are parallel to others who rant and hate,…

Your identity is an illusion

Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Expert   Like it or not, you will soon be effectively identified. And by “soon,” I mean within the next 10 years. Big Brother, whatever that means, will have your “number.” Governments across the globe have been gearing up and introducing numerous technologies to identify, verify and authenticate. Identity is a…