Computer Science Assignment - Personal Journal

Lab 4:Identity theft

Identity theft is one of the major issues of the virtual world. If the networks across the globe have made life convenient, it has allowed some malicious minded people to embarrass people in several ways by taking control over the identical factors of others. Identity theft occurs when someone uses another person’s account without his permission or knowing. It creates mental, emotional or even economical uproar in the life of the victim. For me, the data available for the cases of identical theft in US is enough to alarm. In my opinion, there are several ways which make me vulnerable for the identical theft, however, by taking a few precautions, I can save my identity from being stolen as well as I can supervise and guide the members of my family too in this context.

At first, the world of online shopping makes me a target for online hackers. Though I use a single credit card to do online shopping, yet it is possible that my card might be used by someone else if I have not performed a proper check of the website over which I am selling or purchasing something. It is very important for me and for my family members that we all should verify the certificate of the website and do not share the private information with someone who is not trustworthy. Moreover, I am always supposed to use a single system for my online shopping because using a cyber café or various systems may make me a target of hacking. Some hackers quickly peep into the personal details through cyber café while it is safe to use a personal system to do any kind of online transaction.

Further, in spite of taking all efforts, if my identity is stolen and someone else is using it, I am supposed to take immediate action which begins with blocking my account or credit card. I would like to inform the bank, website or the agency through which the card was issued to me and I would place the request to block it as early as possible. That is only way to save my identity from misuse. Then, I would go the FCP cell of my local area where such cases are being handled. The IP address of the user is very important in this context because if that is traced, we can grab him too by tracking the exact location from where he is operating the hacking process.

The three important things that one should remember to prevent identity theft are awareness, quick action and patience. A general awareness regarding the theft is very important. If someone is not aware with the harms that this theft does, he is likely to become the probable victim. Second is quick action because in such cases, we cannot delay the process. Delaying something means more and more loss and it is not in our hand to restrict it. We need the help of the experts who are well versed in this field and only they can save my identity from being misused by someone. Finally, one has to be patient while the investigation of theft takes place because if he does something unwanted, it merely favors the hacker and the victim just suffers the mental trauma or economical loss.

To conclude, identity theft is definitely a sensitive issue of the modern world. The online shopping or transactions are convenient but they require careful handling. By taking a few precaution like verification of the websites and by keeping personal details to one system only can save someone from great harm. Even then if he becomes victim, he just needs to be calm and patient and take help of the experts. Such precautions are needed to save the mental trauma or financial loss.

Reading 5

Identity Theft

Identity theft is one type of stealing in which a person steals someone else’s identity and pretend himself or herself as he or she is the actual one whose identity he or she has stolen. It can be observed in various ways like if someone else uses another person’s name, social security number or credit or debit card without the permission of actual person with the intention of committing the crime. After reading text, watching video and answering the quiz, it is clear that identity theft is the serious crime and a single carelessness of missing the credit cards, security number or any type of personal information can create danger for the whole life.

There are various ways of stealing the identity of a person like by stealing his credit or debit cards, passports, identification cards etc., hacking his computer and retrieve the personal and bank information and passwords that can be used in financial theft. Besides that, public records or any other register can also be used to retrieve the personal information of a person. Personal information can be stole by using different types of software. This is the reason that it is dangerous to use personal banking information in public internet café. There are more risk of losing personal identity. By retrieving the various resumes through job sites because it include the name, address, e-mail id and phone number etc.

There are various ways that can be used to reduce the risk of identity theft or the effect of identity theft on victim like never share personal information with any one or through e-mail or unsecured internet connection. It is important to secure personal information and create the unique password with the combination of lower and upper case with numeric values and always monitor accounts and report. Always use one credit, it makes easy to monitor the financial transactions and always shred the financial documents before putting it into garbage. Always call the police or log in to websites which works against identity theft. It will help in getting more protection and minimizing the loss by identity theft.