1) The document discusses basic steps to secure your computer and protect against identity theft, including using a firewall, keeping systems patched, using virus protection, and being wary of email scams. 2) It provides tips for securing your information like encrypting data, using strong passwords, and shredding documents. 3) Common ways identity thieves obtain personal details are through dumpster diving, unsecured wi-fi, public records, hacking, and untrustworthy individuals who have access to your information. The document recommends monitoring accounts and reports to protect yourself.

1. Security starts at Home (Protecting your business by protecting your computer.) Jayson E. Street, CISSP, GSEC, GCFA, IEM, IAM, CCSE, CCSA, Security+

2. Let go of my EGO Lets start out with a little about yours truly. [email_address]

3. Know yourself know your enemy Sun Wu (Tzu) “Ping-fa”(The Art of War) “ Thus it is said that one who knows the enemy and knows himself will not be endangered in a hundred engagements. One who does not know the enemy but knows himself will sometimes be victorious, sometimes meet with defeat. One who knows neither the enemy nor himself will invariably be defeated in every engagement!”

4. Contents INTRO Basic PC Safety Identity Theft Issues Discussion

5. What should you do? Use a Firewall Keep Your Computer(s) Patched Use Virus Protection Software

6. Use a Firewall Hardware Linksys Software Norton ZoneAlarm Test Yourself http://www.hackerwatch.org/probe/

7. Keep Your Computer(s) Patched Windows Update http://update.microsoft.com Download patches automatically Install patches manually Don’t Forget Microsoft Office http://office.microsoft.com/officeupdate/

8. Use Virus Protection Software There are plenty of choices: McAfee, Symantec, F-Prot, etc… Auto-Update daily Auto-Scan enabled

9. Email Safety – KRESV Test The K now Test – Is the email from someone you know? The R eceived Test – Have you received email from this person before? The E xpect Test – Were you expecting an email with an attachment from this person? The S ense Test – Do the contents described in the subject line and the name of the attachment make sense? The V irus Test – Does the email contain a virus? To determine this, you will need to install and use an anti-virus program such as McAfee or Norton.

10. SCAMS! No one in Africa with millions of dollars to smuggle out of the country is going to ask for help in an email. Bill Gates is not going to give you money for forwarding an email. Sending a “chain” email will not bring you luck – but it might help someone learn some things about you. Legitimate companies will not ask you for your password in an email. Check them out: http://www.snopes.com

11. More Basic Tips Remove File Sharing if not needed Encrypt confidential data (you can find free encryption tools from www.download.com) Lock down WiFi (Wireless Network Connectivity) Use Good Passwords Change passwords often Use alpha-numeric characters No password is “Un”crackable. There are an abundance of tools hackers may use to get your password Do not use your user name or full name

12. Identity Theft Issues How do thieves get your information? "Dumpster diving" - often very personal information is just thrown away. People get credit card solicitations that they throw out as "junk mail." An identity thief could use that offer to open credit in your name. Other sources for digging through trash are businesses, law firms, medical facilities, accountants and banks. Roommates, relatives, "friends" and estranged spouses - all have access to very personal information, and may be very motivated to misuse that information. Waiters / Waitresses - you hand them your credit card at a restaurant and they disappear for five minutes. Do you know what they did with your credit card while they were out of sight?

13. Identity Theft Issues How do thieves get your information? Public records - for example, if you have been involved in a divorce, many of your financial records could potentially be part of the public record and available by searching at the courthouse. For a thief - why dig in the trash? Hacking - many people now have high-speed internet connections at their homes. That makes their personal computers (full of tax return, checking account and investment records) an excellent target for an identity thief.

14. Identity Theft Issues What do thieves do with your information? Open credit accounts and buy products / services. Get phone or utility service. Get a job (the Social Security Administration has information about how to detect this) Commit a crime (there have been reports ranging from traffic violations to international drug trafficking). Buy a car. Rent an apartment.

15. Identity Theft Issues 10 Ways to Protect Yourself Be very careful about to whom you give out personal identification information. Never provide any personal, bank account or credit card information to anyone who contacts you through a telephone solicitation. Keep items with personal information in a safe place. Tear Up/Destroy all old personal information. Sign any credit or debit cards with permanent ink as soon as you receive them.

16. Identity Theft Issues 10 Ways to Protect Yourself (continued) Minimize the number of credit cards and other items with personal information that you carry. Do not leave envelopes containing your checks in your home mailbox. Give out your Social Security Number only when necessary. Be careful when creating passwords or PIN's. Monitor your credit card statements and your credit report.

17. Identity Theft Issues Web resources on Identity Theft: Federal Trade Commission: http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/ Social Security Administration http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/idtheft.htm Boston Federal Reserve Bank http://www.bos.frb.org/consumer/identity/ Better Business Bureau http://www.bbb.org/alerts/idtheft.asp

18. Now let’s learn from others Discussion and Questions???? Or several minutes of uncomfortable silence it’s your choice. http://f0rb1dd3n.com/s1s/WP/ http://forums.stratagem-one.com