Tips: DEFEND Against Cyberthieves

The proliferation and usage of mobile devices is exponentially growing, as is consumers' dependence on the Web, causing many to lose sight of the importance of keeping their personal information and social media profiles secure and protected.

According to a recent survey conducted on behalf of ProtectMyID, 90 percent of respondents own a laptop or a PC, while nearly half (49 percent) own a smartphone. Many people who own these devices aren't taking even simple steps to protect their valuable information. In fact, nearly 54 percent of respondents do not use a password to lock their phone and/or tablet.

The data also reveals that people are using smartphones and/or tablets to access private, personal information through a variety of online channels such as email and Facebook accounts. Nearly 50 percent of respondents are accessing online Websites such as Amazon, eBay and their bank accounts. While many likely realize security concerns related to using the same passwords for different online accounts, 66 percent of respondents report using the same password for at least two accounts.

"The increase in Web activity and popularity of social media sites has provided a ripe location for people to easily gather information about others and use it for identity theft," said Ken Chaplin, senior vice president for Experian's ProtectMyID. "A common misconception is that identity theft won't happen to you. However, no one is immune, especially in difficult economic times. People need to think about the information that they make public and how it could be used."

Additional highlights from the survey include:

  • More than 50 percent of people (51 percent) do not click the logout link or button when they are finished with social media and other online accounts, leaving them vulnerable should their phone or laptop/tablet become lost or stolen.
  • Many social networks have given users the power to set their privacy settings; however, only 18 percent of survey respondents proactively manage their privacy settings on an ongoing basis.
  • More than 50 percent of respondents provide their birth date (61 percent), educational background (56 percent) and email addresses (51 percent) on social media profile settings.

"Oftentimes, consumers underestimate the negative repercussions that can occur after an online account or computer has been hacked," said Whitlock. "Victims often do the logical thing -- change passwords and/or contact the online site -- however, they neglect to realize that their personal information is now in jeopardy. First and foremost, if you believe an account has been hacked, contact your bank and credit card company immediately to preclude false charges and negative effects to your credit."

To help consumers "DEFEND" themselves against cyberthieves, Experian's ProtectMyID and Whitlock offer the following tips:

  • Defy curiosity. Never open an attachment or click on a link unless it's something you've specifically requested from someone you know. Just because an email is from a friend or a coworker doesn't make it free of malware. Click the "x" on all pop-up ads to avoid infection, and never download free software unless it's from a trusted site.
  • Educate yourself about technology. Become tech-savvy: Know what security software you need to keep your computer -- and yourself — safe online. Don't let down your guard by letting your protection lapse. Always keep your antivirus and spyware protection updated.
  • Fix your passwords. Using the same password for more than one account or a password that's easy to guess opens the door to identity thieves. Change passwords regularly, never disclose them to others and vary them among different accounts.
  • Embrace your paranoia. Yes, there are people out there who are out to get you. Don't forget it.
  • Negate putting personal information online. You wouldn't provide your personal identifiers to just anyone on the street who asks for them, so don't do it online. Become as proactive in protecting your personal, private information online as you are in other areas of your life. Don't even think of doing anything of a personal nature on a public computer. Remember that posting personal data on social networking sites makes you a target for identity thieves.
  • Deploy safety precautions. Online fraudsters are constantly changing their tactics, making it hard to stay abreast of every new scheme. Frequently monitor your accounts and financial statements, and check your credit reports at least once a year.

Featured

  • Security Today Announces The Govies Government Security Award Winners for 2025

    Security Today is pleased to announce the 2025 winners in The Govies Government Security Awards. The awards honor outstanding government security products in a variety of categories. Read Now

  • Survey: 60 Percent of Organizations Using AI in IT Infrastructure

    Netwrix, a cybersecurity provider focused on data and identity threats, today announced the release of its annual global 2025 Cybersecurity Trends Report based on a global survey of 2,150 IT and security professionals from 121 countries. It reveals that 60% of organizations are already using artificial intelligence (AI) in their IT infrastructure and 30% are considering implementing AI. Read Now

  • New Research Reveals Global Video Surveillance Industry Perspectives on AI

    Axis Communications, the global industry leader in video surveillance, has released its latest research report, ‘The State of AI in Video Surveillance,’ which explores global industry perspectives on the use of AI in the security industry and beyond. The report reveals current attitudes on AI technologies thanks to in-depth interviews with AI experts from Axis’ global network and a comprehensive survey of more than 5,800 respondents, including distributors, channel partners, and end customers across 68 countries. The resulting insights cover AI integration and the opportunities and challenges that exist with regard to security, safety, business intelligence, and operational efficiency. Read Now

  • SIA Urges Tariff Relief for Security Industry Products

    Today, the Security Industry Association has sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick requesting relief from tariffs for security industry products and asking that the Trump administration formulate a process that allows companies to apply for product-specific exemptions. The security industry is an important segment of the U.S. economy, contributing over $430 billion in total economic impact and supporting over 2.1 million jobs. Read Now

  • Report Shows Cybercriminals Continue Pivot to Stealthier Tactics

    IBM recently released the 2025 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index highlighting that cybercriminals continued to pivot to stealthier tactics, with lower-profile credential theft spiking, while ransomware attacks on enterprises declined. IBM X-Force observed an 84% increase in emails delivering infostealers in 2024 compared to the prior year, a method threat actors relied heavily on to scale identity attacks. Read Now

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.