Fraud and identity theft take many forms in the cyber world. Cybercriminals may steal identities by hacking into systems to access personal information, employ social engineering to trick victims into giving away information, or use malware to gain control of devices and networks. Common scams include phishing emails designed to steal login credentials or money transfer scams promising a share of a large sum in exchange for upfront fees. Individuals can protect themselves by using strong passwords, updating security software, backing up data securely, and limiting what personal information they share online or with unknown parties. New forms of cybercrime are constantly emerging, so vigilance is important.

1. Fraud and Identity Theft

2.  Cybercrime: Any criminal action perpetrated primarily through the use of a computer
 Programs damaging computers
 Stealing identities online
 Attacking corporate websites
 Cybercriminals: Individuals who use computers, networks, and the Internet to perpetrate crime.
 Top categories of complaints
 FBI-related scams
 Identity theft
 Nonauction/nondelivery of merchandise
 Advance fee fraud

3.  Identity theft: Occurs when a thief steals personal information such as your name, address,
Social Security number, birth date, bank account, and credit card information and runs up debt
in your name
 Acts perpetrated by identity thieves
 Counterfeiting existing credit and debit cards
 Requesting changes of address on bank and credit card statements
 Obtaining new credit cards and bank account in your name and writing bad checks and not paying off
credit card balances
 Obtaining medical services in your name
 Buying a home with a mortgage in your name, then reselling the house

4.  The victim receives a phone call from
someone who pretends to be a computer
security person.
 The caller tricks the victim into installing
some software to remove some
vulnerability.
 The scammer then uses this software to
gain control and steal information from
the victims computer.
 Other scams: Showmypc.com

5.  This is a money transfer scam.
 The scammers contact victims by email or letter
and offer to share in a large sum of money that they
want to transfer out of their country.
 They sell the story using the excuse of civil war,
coups, etc. or inheritance that are difficult to access
because of government restrictions or taxes.
 They ask you to pay some money up front to help
with the transfer only to never be heard of again.

6.  A hacker uses this method try to
get a users to visit links or sites
and enter their information.
 The sites look and feel like legit
sites, but are designed to steal user
information.

7.  Keep hackers out
 Prevent them from accessing
computer
 Protect your digital information
 Use passwords
 Hide activities from prying eyes

8.  Firewall: Software program or hardware device designed to protect
computers from hackers
 Personal firewall: Specifically designed for home networks
 Both Windows and OS X include firewalls
 Security suites also include firewall software
 You can also buy and configure hardware firewall devices

9.  Strong passwords are difficult to guess
 Not easily associated with you (birth date, name
of pet, nickname)
 At least 14 characters, including numbers,
symbols, and upper- and lowercase letters
 Not a single word or a word from a dictionary
 Use a mix of upper- and lowercase letters and
symbols
 Never tell anyone or write down password
 Change password regularly (every month)
 Use different passwords for different websites
 Password strength tests evaluate your passwords
 Password Meter
 Operating systems have built-in password protection
 Windows 8 allows you to use picture passwords

10.  Current versions of Google Chrome, Firefox,
and Internet Explorer include privacy tools that
help you surf the web anonymously
 Incognito
 Private Browsing
 InPrivate
 Portable privacy devices provide an even higher
level of surfing privacy
 Imation Personal Flash Drive
 Store sensitive Internet files
 Preload Linux OS on a flash drive to avoid using
the public or work computer’s OS
 Third-party software developers offer apps to
enhance tablet security
 hidePad

11.  Reveal as little information as possible
 Your Social Security number, phone number, date of birth,
and street addresses are four key pieces of information that
identity thieves need to steal an identity. This information
should never be shared in a public area on any website.
 Social networking sites like Facebook make privacy
settings available in your profile settings. If you’ve never
changed your default privacy settings in Facebook, you’re
probably sharing information more widely than you
should.

12.  Data on your computer faces three major threats
 Unauthorized access
 Tampering
 Destruction
 Backups are copies of files that you can use to replace the
originals If they’re lost or damaged
 Backups must be stored away from where your computer is
located and should be stored in at least two different
places to be truly secure
 Three main choices
 Online (in the cloud)
 External hard drives
 Network-attached storage (NAS)

13.  The ATM scam involves the use of
information obtained from one’s ATM
cards and stealing from them.
 This form of cybercrime involves the use of
card readers, hidden cameras and burglary
to obtain information on people’s bank
accounts and spin numbers.
 These are used to withdraw cash with
replica cards without the bank’s or the
customer’s knowledge.
 There are several ways in which this crime
can be committed with the cooperation of
the unsuspecting customers.

14.  Use of Gadgets to read Personal Data
 The criminals may attach false facades on the ATMs set up in unsecure areas to
capture customer’s cards.
 Ghost ATM Machines: Freestanding machines would be set up on busy places
where people may need to withdraw their money more frequently and
unsuspectingly.
 Criminals place cash receptacle machine inside the ATM machine vestibules to
confuse the clients.
 Snatching of the cards from clients

15.  Four main security concerns with computerized devices
 Keeping them from being stolen
 Keeping data secure in case they are stolen
 Finding a device if it is stolen
 Remotely recovering and wiping data off a stolen device
Copyright © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice
Hall 15

16.  The methods used in committing cyber frauds and scam keep developing each
and everyday.
 The forms used vary from technological forms
 These crimes can however be prevented by the banks in application of the
latest forms of technology in ensuring safety to client accounts. Application of
high security measures would also be ideal.
 Customers can also help in prevention of the crimes by being watchful of their
surrounding to avoid being tricked or mugged.