CSC101 FINAL PROJECT

bybySally Fletcher & Nicole SeguinSally Fletcher & Nicole Seguin

December 11December 11thth, 2003, 2003

ContentsContents What is Internet Identity Theft?What is Internet Identity Theft? TechnologyTechnology

How hackers obtains our informationHow hackers obtains our information

Why Internet ID theft is used?Why Internet ID theft is used? Recent TalkRecent Talk Social issuesSocial issues How to protect yourselfHow to protect yourself Impact on SocietyImpact on Society ConclusionConclusion

Internet Identity Theft:Internet Identity Theft: Unauthorized persons wrongfully obtain Unauthorized persons wrongfully obtain and use another person's personal data.and use another person's personal data.

The victim The victim does notdoes not know! know!

Greed/desire drives identity theft.Greed/desire drives identity theft.

Instant, anonymous, and worldwide reach of the Internet allows Instant, anonymous, and worldwide reach of the Internet allows identity thieves to thrive and hide more efficiently.identity thieves to thrive and hide more efficiently.

What is Internet Identity Theft???What is Internet Identity Theft???

FBI calls internet identity theft one of the FBI calls internet identity theft one of the fastest growing global crimes of fraud and fastest growing global crimes of fraud and deception!deception! 500,000 to 700,000 Americans become 500,000 to 700,000 Americans become internet identity theft victims each year.internet identity theft victims each year.

TechnologyTechnology Cookies

Public database access

Multiple users on same machine

Viruses

Software applications

Email - password crackers - worms

Keyboard loggers

High speed internet

Why is it Used???Why is it Used??? New account creationNew account creation

Obtain creditObtain credit

Account takeoverAccount takeover

Email accounts/passwordsEmail accounts/passwords

Transfer moneyTransfer money

Apply for loansApply for loans

Social Security # usage

Especially by college students

Sell personal informationSell personal information

Online purchasing/bankingOnline purchasing/banking

= = ECONOMIC GAIN & PERSONAL ECONOMIC GAIN & PERSONAL SATISFACTION FOR THE CRIMINALSATISFACTION FOR THE CRIMINAL

Recent USENET Newsgroup Talk of Recent USENET Newsgroup Talk of Internet Identity Theft.....Internet Identity Theft.....

NY times login and password disputes!

How many people provide correct information?

Creating bogus profile names.

How does one keep track of which names were used for what?

Someone posting highly offensive newsgroup articles using your Internet ID.

Report complaint immediately to FTC! FTC Internet Identity Theft Complaint Form

Social IssuesSocial Issues Loss of reputationLoss of reputation Loss of creditLoss of credit Major inconvenienceMajor inconvenience Average cost to consumer whose identity is Average cost to consumer whose identity is stolen=stolen=

~ $6,000+~ $6,000+ ~12 months for a victim of identity theft to notice ~12 months for a victim of identity theft to notice the crimethe crime Major trusting issuesMajor trusting issues

-may never establish feeling of privacy again!-may never establish feeling of privacy again!Long term affects!Long term affects!Victims basically need to start all over again.Victims basically need to start all over again.

Some Interesting Some Interesting Stats…..Stats…..

Internet identity theft is the top complaint filed to the FTC The FTC'S Top 10 Consumer Fraud Complaints

Identity theft= not if but when!!!Identity theft= not if but when!!!So protect yourself!!!So protect yourself!!!

Use only one credit card online!

Check Merchant Privacy Policies

Know who/why you are giving information online!

Monitor credit history/reports/bank accounts

Be aware of cookies on computer

Change password regularly

Cautiously receive/send email

Be sure to log off after using computers

Clear hard drive when selling/giving away computers

Install computer virus programs/firewalls/spyguard

Anti Spyware Software - Detects and eliminates Spy Software

Impact on SocietyImpact on Society

Identity is ones most prized possessionIdentity is ones most prized possession No control over custody of your information! Banks have no legal responsibility of refunds Clearing up bad credit reports can cost $500-$1,000 Good cyber security is no longer just self-defense; it helps protect the welfare of us all in our highly connected world.

Victims face nightmare of laborious paperwork, lost time, lost money, and stress!

Technology is advancing, but unfortunately, cyber-crime is advancing right along with it.

Most of us do not know exactly how new technologies actually work= more vulnerability to high-tech thieves.

ID theft protection has become a cold comfort.

Its impact has caused many individuals, businesses, institutions, and organizations problems!

Passing more protection bills and increasing the punishment for committing this crime is a continuous act in progress.

This crime must be contained in the present and stopped in the future!!!!

ConclusionConclusion

For More Information visit the S&N Inc. site on

Internet Identity Theft…..

All You Need to Know About Internet Identity Theft

Thanks for your time!!