Here, Take My Wallet, Just Don't Phish Me

from the what's-security? dept

Mon, Oct 9th 2006 10:41am — Carlo Longino

A new survey in the UK says people there are more concerned about online crime than some physical crimes like burglary and mugging. While the stats are a little misleading -- 21% say they think they're most likely to be exposed to "online crime" in general, while individual physical crimes were broken out individually and collectively still worry more people -- they do illustrate the depths of the growing fear people have over online activity. This has more implications than people not wanting to deal with spam or spyware, as the survey says that one in four people won't bank online because of security concerns, a fifth won't shop online, and one in six won't go online at all. The survey's part of a national campaign to educate people about online security issues and raise awareness of measures they can use to protect themselves, something that's clearly needed as it shows plenty of people still go without common security software. However, this figure also shows that solely relying on people to protect themselves isn't the best solution, and that other new measures are needed to make the internet safer and more secure. This isn't necessarily because people aren't smart enough to protect themselves, but also because the number of threats is growing and becoming more complex -- and legitimate actors like banks are making it difficult for consumers to distinguish them from scammers.

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8 Comments

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u no, 9 Oct 2006 @ 12:30pm

Okay
This article might be more interesting to my parents than to me. I feel relatively safe using the internet. I can never be completely safe, but with a little common sense I feel like my computer is pretty secure. After saying this i will probably get a horrible virus tomorrow, that steals my identity and uses up the money in my back account (all $15). maybe the phisher will pay the overdraft i get the next time i pay bills. haha
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612-95-4412, 9 Oct 2006 @ 1:15pm

Online Security
Who needs it?
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Chris, 9 Oct 2006 @ 1:19pm

Security Schmecurity
I agree with 'u no'.

Anyone with reasonable computer skills should have no problem keeping their personal computers safe.

A router with a good firewall and a little common sense is honestly all you need. Antivirus, anti-spyware, etc. are all more like car alarms than smoke alarms. They don't protect against much, and people usually ignore the warning signs anyway.

Set up a tight firewall, don't download email attachments you aren't expecting, and stay away from porn sites. You should be trouble-free!
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GDTaylor, 9 Oct 2006 @ 2:22pm

What
There has to be way more severe penalties for spreading viruses and spyware... I feel the violation of invading my computer is just as bad as breaking into my house. Throw these people in jail and take away their computer/internet rights for 10 years as well.
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NSMike, 9 Oct 2006 @ 2:40pm

DANGEROUS Misconception
For those people who assume that staying offline protects their information from electronic identity theft are under a severe misapprehension about the nature of electronic identity theft. One of the more insidious methods is to get an accomplice who works at a restaurant or the like to carry a small box with a magnetic strip reader and swipe every card they come across in order to steal card numbers.

Another thing to consider is that while you may not be online, every major corporation you do business with IS online, and it's likely that your data is stored somewhere on one of their networked machines, as well as possible employee laptops.

Never assume that you're out of danger by being out of the game.
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- Tin Ear, 9 Oct 2006 @ 4:58pm
  
  Re: DANGEROUS Misconception
  I must agree here. Figure it like this. I go to the gas station on the corner. I have a debit card and their pumps don't accept it. They do have an ATM in the store, however, and I go in there to pull some cash for gas. I put my card in, select how much I want to get... and you can hear the machine dialing out... If someone were to hack that particular line and decypher the encryption, they not only have my name, my account number and balance, but possibly SSI number as well. I imagine with a little digging they could come up with my address and phone number and there you have it. Somebody else can play at being me... I can only trust the security of the phone line and keep a close eye on my account myself for any charges I didn't make.
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  - Enrico Suarve, 10 Oct 2006 @ 11:06am
    
    Re: Re: DANGEROUS Misconception
    The other commonly used one as exposed on a documentary in the UK the other night is applying for credit
    
    You walk into a store - ask for credit, fill out a form with basic questions, including name, age, address, phone number, average outgoings etc etc all the stuff thats commonly on a credit form these days and the clerk asks to photocopy your credit card or similar for ID verification
    
    He now has enough details about you to be able to perform virtually any financial transaction in your name and you never even touched a computer...
    
    On the other hand if everyone is now scared of the internet but I spend my entire time surfing, that must make me the dashing, devil-may-care dare-devil I always wanted to be - cool i'll go get me cape ;0)
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FreeHear, 9 Oct 2006 @ 5:02pm

Whoops...
"Here, Take My Wallet, Just Don't Phish Me"
Fun quote, but lest anyone be so silly as to take the implication to heart... Today's pocket pickers, or even muggers, aren't exactly after the money in your wallet, but your identity. Well connected theifs can utilize the Internet (relating to the topic) to pump your personal information for goodies by taking your license (complete with address and birthdate) and valid credit card (no end of things they can do) as a starting point for mischeif. God forbid you actually have your social security card in there (or that your license contains your social security number). --

Definitely worth saying.
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