Hidden Internet Risks and How to Manage Them 4

What are the tricks of online identity theft and how do you manage them?

Personal information theft/leakage

What is personal information?

Personal information is information which can identify who you are.

For example, information which can identify a person by combining multiple information such as internet connection ID (account) and password is also considered as personal information.

Personal information includes the following:

Name
Address, phone number
Date of birth, gender
Occupation, place of work, school name
Bank account number, PIN
Credit card number, PIN
Email address
Internet connection ID (account), password

What is personal information leakage?

Personal information leakage is when your personal information is disclosed to a third person without your choice.
If your personal information is disclosed to a third person, there is a risk that you might get involved in a malicious or criminal act.

For example, your credit card may be used to purchase an expensive item, or a crime could be committed by impersonating you, or you may receive a spam email (fake billing scam).

Leak of personal information is not only a matter of internet, but you have to be careful especially when you are connected to the internet. The following are examples of how personal information is leaked when you are connected to the internet.

What are the tricks of online identity theft?

Tricks of online identity theft

Typical examples are as follows.

Malicious program

There are various malicious programs which are purposed to steal personal information.
Such malicious programs may slip onto your computer unknowingly. There are also cases where a spyware is contained in an already-released, handy software. There are also cases where an illegal program is attached to an email you received.
In specific, there is “keylogger”, which records what you have entered using a keyboard, and “trojan horse” which steals personal information.

Internet scam (phishing)

Scam email disguised as bank, EC website, internet auction website will be sent to you. In the email, there may be a writing such as “Please update your registered information by accessing the written URL” inducing you to a fake website which looks very real and makes you enter your user ID, password, bank account information, etc. to steal that critical information.

Personal information collected from SNS

Malicious actor collects information such as name, birth of date, contact information (email address, address, etc.) which are open on SNS to steal personal information.
User ID and password may be guessed from such information.
You have to be careful when disclosing your information since information opened on SNS can be seen by malicious actors and not only your friends.

How to protect your information

This section gives you information on how to protect your personal information.

How to manage your own personal information

Be sure not to give your personal information carelessly to other people.
Also, keep in mind the following.

Do not write down on the internet or tell other people any information which can identify yourself (your real name, address, phone number, email address).
Do not give your password to others. Update your password on a regular basis. Do not use a password which can be guessed easily (e.g., date of birth, phone number, etc.)
Do not enter your personal information on unreliable websites.
Be sure to confirm the recipient’s address before sending an email.
Install a security software/service. Update the definition file to the latest version.
Update your computer and smartphone’s OS and software to the latest version with Windows Update, iOS update, etc.
Do not carry around memory media (such as USB memory) which contains your personal information.

Prevent from virus infection and unauthorized access

Virus infection and unauthorized access are the cause of personal information leakage. It is important to take measures routinely.

Know the hidden internet risks. What should you do?

1. What is computer virus? What are the basic measures to take?
2. Spam email is sent to you without your choice. The number of unwanted, malicious spam emails is increasing.
3. New internet scams arise one after another. What are the details and how do you defend yourself?
4. What are the tricks of online identity theft and how do you manage them?
5. Your PC could also be targeted. Damage of unauthorized access and how to manage it.
6. Beware of copyright infringement with P2P file sharing apps and software