Best Practices - Avoid ID theft & online threats

[ronjor]

-{ Quote: "Expert advice - Tech-industry experts tell how they avoid ID theft and other online threats" }-Harry Waldron (http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2007/07/02/best-practices-avoid-id-theft-amp-online-threats.aspx)

[Mrkvonic]

Hello,

ID theft

This really depends on the laws in your country. For example, in countries where risk of terror is higher, ID theft will be treated much more seriously as any potential ID theft is a security breach in a way.

Furthermore, it also depends on the laws and regulations regarding transactions. For example, if you wish to close a deal via the phone, you are required to provide at least 3-4 different identifiers, which is not something as readily obtainable by ID thieves.

Here step in the banks and their policies of protecting the customer. Then, how closely they work with customers. For example, a bank notifies their customers if strange, large or unexpected payments or withdrawals are made. The same goes with credit card companies. For example, 30 day refund policy.

Online theft

This is really a simple one.
1. Do not get your machine infected in any way.
2. Do not follow links to your online purchase sites; access them directly.
3. Use a normal ISP that is not prone to get DNS poisoned or hacked every second Thursday.
4. Firewall is always good, both ways, regardless of what you do.

All in all, online threats are nothing special. ID theft is something much more serious, but it can only be remedied on national levels, using strict legislation and more strict rules regarding identification and purchases.

Mrk

[lucas1985]

-{ Quote: "
Online theft

This is really a simple one.
1. Do not get your machine infected in any way.
2. Do not follow links to your online purchase sites; access them directly from a fresh browser session.
3. Use a normal ISP that is not prone to get DNS poisoned or hacked every second Thursday.
4. Firewall is always good, both ways, regardless of what you do." }-
5. Create a restricted account dedicated only to online transactions and monitor it with enough frequency (weekly?)

[lodore]

linux live cd anyone?;D
the problem is most bank websites only work in internet explorer example HSBC
etc
lodore

[ccsito]

-{ Quote: "linux live cd anyone?;D
the problem is most bank websites only work in internet explorer example HSBC
etc
lodore" }-

Are you referring to HSBC UK or HSBC USA or both? I believe HSBC USA can use almost any browser.

-{ Quote: "The following are HSBC-supported browsers that offer this highest level of encryption:

Internet Explorer - versions 5.5, and 6.0
Netscape - versions 7.1, and 7.2
Safari – version 1.2
Mozilla/FireFox – version 1.0 " }-

[ccsito]

-{ Quote: "Optimise the way you view your web browser
If you have difficulty in reading the HSBC Bank website on your screen, you may be able to change the settings on your browser to help you improve their visibility.

How to change visibility features
The following suggestions to improve the visibility of web pages will apply to any site that you visit. However, you may find that not all pages within a site are compatible. The images on the screen will not be affected. These instructions have been tested with Internet Explorer versions 6 and 7." }-

The above taken from the UK site.

[Mrkvonic]

Hello,
For those wondering:
You can install IEs4Linux and be able to view shitty sites in IE in Linux.
http://www.tatanka.com.br/ies4linux/page/Main_Page
Mrk

[lodore]

hi ccsito,
i must of been wrong then.
i dont see opera of that list of compatible browser thou.
opera is meant to be the safest browser so it should be compatible
lodore