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

/in , , , , /by

(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.

###

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

/in , , , , /by

(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.

###

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 Joins MyLaptopGPS™ in Challenging Organizations to Improve Laptop Computer Security

/in , , /by

(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: Unsecured Laptops Contribute to Consumer Confidence–Sapping Data Breaches—Identity Theft Expert and Speaker on Personal Security

/in , , /by

(BOSTON, Mass. – June 26, 2007 – IDTheftSecurity.com) As research continued to show that data breaches severely undercut consumer confidence, Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert, urged organizations to secure their mobile computers with GPS tracking technology from MyLaptopGPS™.

“The unrelenting spate of data breaches that continually threatens the integrity of databases housing confidential information is taking its toll on consumer confidence,” said Siciliano. “Organizations that recognize the causal relationship between security and customer retention are ahead in the game, and one way for any organization to show its constituencies that security is job number one is to equip mobile computer fleets with GPS tracking technology.”

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.

A new survey jointly conducted by Vontu, developer of data loss prevention technologies, and the Ponemon Institute, publisher of research into information and privacy management, has yielded startling and worrisome findings. The 2007 Consumer Survey on Data Security found that 62 percent of its 768 respondents have received word that their confidential data has been lost. The same percentage said that they would be more upset with a company that lost their information due to negligence than if that company lost their information as the result of theft, and respondents who have received notification are more cautious when sharing their credit card and debit card information.

“Findings like these justify the need for proactive strategies aimed at securing easily compromised data,” said Siciliano. “Some of the most easily purloined data resides on mobile computers. Smart organizations secure their laptop computers to spare themselves not only the immediate headaches associated with a stolen, irretrievable laptop, but also the ensuing headaches that come from consumer confidence irretrievably lost because of data security breaches.”

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.

“We have seen how widespread laptop theft has become,” said Dan Yost, chief technology officer at MyLaptopGPS. “The alternative to installing GPS tracking technology on laptop computers is almost certainly the grief of never retrieving a machine once one goes missing. Our product and service is a sensible solution whose affordability makes it attractive to organizations that might otherwise face financially prohibitive litigation and loss of revenue in the wake of any laptop security breach.”

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.

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