The Cybercrime Trend Newsletter

Welcome to the December 2009 Cybercrime Trend Newsletter!
Welcome to our December "Cybercrime Trend Newsletter." This month we focus on the holidays and how cybercrime can ruin the end of the year and make 2010 a nightmare as you try to recover from the effects of the crime.

Cybercriminals know how to trick unsuspecting individuals and steal their money, personal information and/or use their computers for their own wiley ways.

This month we feature news articles about holiday cybercrime and identity theft protection. You are welcome to forward this newsletter to anyone you feel can use this information.

Online holiday shoppers should beware of scams

Amarillo, Texas - Scams and identity theft are dangers for online shoppers as the holiday shopping season gets underway.
Believe it or not more than half of consumers are expected to shop online for holiday gifts.
But there are some simple rules to follow if you do.

How to Lose Your Identity This Holiday Season

Looking to expose your personal data to online thieves? Follow these five easy steps -- or better yet, use them as a cautionary tale.

Experts warn of risks when using debit cards

NEW YORK -- Your new frugal lifestyle is about to get tested by the biggest consumer challenge of the year -- holiday shopping.
Even if you're among the thriftiest who have pared back spending and paid off debt this year, it's likely you'll open your wallet to decorate a bit and buy a few gifts in the weeks ahead. The National Retail Federation expects people to spend an average $683 on the festivities this season. That's down 3 percent from last year's $705, but it's still a substantial sum.
For many, part of the strategy for keeping on budget includes a plan to leave the credit cards at home and use a debit card at the checkout.
But before heading out to the stores with debit card in hand, make sure you understand the risks

Cyber crime bigger than drug industry

There is a warning cyber criminals will be making an increasingly sophisticated attempt to break in or infect computers in the new year.

No Let-up in Cybercrime in 2009

Each year, the day job overat PRI's The World sends me on the hunt of a "the-year-that-was" round-up of global cybercrime. I generally make it a point to check in with some smart people to get a read on this. One person I always get on the line is Graham Cluley, technology consultant at the British anti-virus firm Sophos. As time goes by, the sheer numbers of viruses, worms and trojan horses that are spewed out on a yearly basis never ceases to astound me.

You Need More Than Over-the-Counter or Freeware Products to Protect Your Personal Information

The computer problems we face today go well beyond just being careful. Individuals and small business must be proactive in their defense looking for the best kinds of computer protection. Safe guards must be in place for families and in the case of business, employees too.

All computer users (home and business) should seriously consider subscribing to a helpful new kind of computer support service known as "Personal Computer Services." The main benefit of this type of monthly service is that instead of you trying to keep your protection current and manage everything yourself, you get access to a team of trained professionals who personally handle everything for you. Your personal computer service should include industrial grade security software for your computer as well as security checkups, system cleanups, and online repair at no additional cost. This type of service is not available through freeware and traditional over-the-counter computer protection products.

The security software and services that come with a personal computer service will help block hackers from your computer and make your experience on the computer fun, productive and hassle-free. With this new personal computer service, you'll also eliminate most of the common hassles and headaches with your computer, allowing you to focus more on your home and business activities.

Keep an eye out for the Identity Theft Trend Newsletter December 15th...

Until then be safe out there,

Kathleen Fulgham

PC Security and Identity Theft
Protection
661 256-6642

What Online Criminals Are Up To And How To Avoid Their Traps

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Cybercrime by the Numbers
$62.2 Billion

FBI estimate of what U.S. businesses lose annually because of computer related crimes

$8 Billion

Consumer Reports estimate of what U.S. consumers lost the past two years because of viruses, spyware, and Internet scams.

93.8 Million

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse's count of personal records reported lost or stolen since February 2005

26,150

The Anti-phishing Working Group's count of unique variations of phishing scams reported in August 2006

Your Questions Answered
Clean Up Startup Programs.

Nearly every new piece of software will install itself into your computers' start-up tray unless you explicitly tell the installer not to. The more programs in the start-up group, the longer it takes your computer to load up.
Find programs running in start-up tray:
Click the "Start" button. Choose "Run" or "Start search" enter "msconfig" click "OK" button. Click the "Startup" tab to see a list of applications in your start-up tray. If unsure about what they do leave them checked. Only uncheck applications you don't want to load when your machine starts up. You will need to restart for changes to take effect. Your computer should start up quicker now.



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