CSC101 FINAL PROJECT by Sally Fletcher & Nicole Seguin December 11 th, 2003

Contents  What is Internet Identity Theft?  Technology  How hackers obtains our information  Why Internet ID theft is used?  Recent Talk  Social issues  How to protect yourself  Impact on Society  Conclusion

 Internet Identity Theft: Unauthorized persons wrongfully obtain and use another person's personal data.  The victim does not know!  Greed/desire drives identity theft.  Instant, anonymous, and worldwide reach of the Internet allows identity thieves to thrive and hide more efficiently. What is Internet Identity Theft???  FBI calls internet identity theft one of the fastest growing global crimes of fraud and fastest growing global crimes of fraud and deception! deception!  500,000 to 700,000 Americans become internet identity theft victims each year. internet identity theft victims each year.

Technology  Cookies  Public database access  Multiple users on same machine  Viruses  Software applications  - password crackers - worms  Keyboard loggers  High speed internet

Why is it Used???  New account creation  Obtain credit  Account takeover  accounts/passwords  Transfer money  Apply for loans  Social Security # usage  Especially by college students  Sell personal information  Online purchasing/banking = ECONOMIC GAIN & PERSONAL SATISFACTION FOR THE CRIMINAL

Recent USENET Newsgroup Talk of Internet Identity Theft.....  NY times login and password disputes!  How many people provide correct information?  Creating bogus profile names.  How does one keep track of which names were used for what?  Someone posting highly offensive newsgroup articles using your Internet ID.  Report complaint immediately to FTC! FTC Internet Identity Theft Complaint Form FTC Internet Identity Theft Complaint Form FTC Internet Identity Theft Complaint Form

Social Issues  Loss of reputation  Loss of credit  Major inconvenience Average cost to consumer whose identity is stolen=  Average cost to consumer whose identity is stolen= ~ $6,000+ ~ $6,000+  ~12 months for a victim of identity theft to notice the crime  Major trusting issues -may never establish feeling of privacy again!  Long term affects!  Victims basically need to start all over again.

Some Interesting Stats…..  Internet identity theft is the top complaint filed to the FTC The FTC'S Top 10 Consumer Fraud Complaints

Identity theft= not if but when!!! So protect yourself!!!  Use only one credit card online!  Check Merchant Privacy Policies  Know who/why you are giving information online!  Monitor credit history/reports/bank accounts  Be aware of cookies on computer  Change password regularly  Cautiously receive/send  Be sure to log off after using computers  Clear hard drive when selling/giving away computers  Install computer virus programs/firewalls/spyguard Anti Spyware Software - Detects and eliminates Spy Software

Impact on Society Identity is ones most prized possession  Identity is ones most prized possession  No control over custody of your information!  Banks have no legal responsibility of refunds  Clearing up bad credit reports can cost $500-$1,000  Good cyber security is no longer just self-defense; it helps protect the welfare of us all in our highly connected world. Victims face nightmare of laborious paperwork, lost time, lost money, and stress!

 Technology is advancing, but unfortunately, cyber-crime is advancing right along with it.  Most of us do not know exactly how new technologies actually work= more vulnerability to high-tech thieves.  ID theft protection has become a cold comfort.  Its impact has caused many individuals, businesses, institutions, and organizations problems!  Passing more protection bills and increasing the punishment for committing this crime is a continuous act in progress.  This crime must be contained in the present and stopped in the future!!!!Conclusion

For More Information visit the S&N Inc. site on Internet Identity Theft….. All You Need to Know About Internet Identity Theft

Thanks for your time!!