Mcafee Reports On Online Identity Theft Trends
*Mcafee Reports On Online Identity Theft Trends*
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*Key Findings Include a 250 Percent Increase in Number of Keyloggers and 100-Fold Increase in Phishing Alerts *
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*Auckland, New Zealand – January 19, 2007 –* McAfee today announced the availability of a paper from McAfee Avert Labs highlighting global identity theft trends, including a dramatic increase in online and computer-based identity theft. According to the report, the number of keyloggers–malicious software code that tracks typing activity to capture passwords and other private information–has increased by 250 percent between January 2004 and May 2006.
Additional findings show that the number of phishing alerts tracked by the Anti-Phishing Working Group has multiplied 100-fold over the same period of time. The report also provides practical guidelines that minimise the risk of identity theft to help readers protect themselves and prevent this increasingly common crime. The white paper, titled, "Identity Theft," is available for download at http://www.mcafee.com/us/threat_center/white_paper.html* *.
"Identity theft is a global phenomenon that threatens all of us, which means we all need to become more aware, more vigilant and less trusting to protect ourselves," said Allan Bell, Marketing Director, Asia Pacific, McAfee. "By learning where we are vulnerable, and how and why criminals engage in identity theft, we can then take the necessary precautions to avoid being victimised."
The study shows that identity
theft exacts a high toll on national economies around the
world. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the annual
cost for consumers and businesses in the United States alone
reaches $50 billion
annually.[1] The white paper reviews identity theft
techniques, from non-technical approaches like dumpster
diving to sophisticated keyloggers that monitor computer
keyboard keystrokes to steal online usernames and passwords.
The report presents high-profile examples of identity theft
cases from around the world along with an overview of the
types of criminals and organisations that engage in identity
theft for profit or to facilitate terrorist acts.
The McAfee Avert Labs white paper concludes with practical
guidelines for preventing identity theft and minimising the
risks of being victimised. Key prevention tips for computer
users include: - Watch out for phishing scams –
fraudulent emails and Web sites that impersonate
legitimate businesses to trick people into revealing
personal information - Avoid clicking on links in
emails to visit Web sites, but instead manually type a
company's correct Web address into the browser - Install
comprehensive security software or services – including
anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall protection – and
keep it up to date - Use caution when opening email
attachments, regardless of who sent them - Take care
before sharing email addresses - Permanently erase
computer hard drives before disposing of old computers
- Make sure Web sites are secure before visiting and
providing personal information - Use strong passwords
- Use caution when communicating through instant
messaging The white paper also includes tips for
businesses to protect employees from being victimized. To
learn more about cyber threats that can lead to identity
theft, visit the McAfee Threat Center:
http://www.mcafee.com/us/threat_center/default.asp. *About
McAfee* McAfee is the leading dedicated security
technology company. Headquartered in Santa Clara,
California, McAfee delivers proactive and proven solutions
and services that secure systems and networks around the
world. With its unmatched security expertise and commitment
to innovation, McAfee empowers home users, businesses, the
public sector, and service providers with the ability to
block attacks, prevent disruptions, and continuously track
and improve their security.
http://www.mcafee.com. ENDS