Rsponse to Kelly Byke

Kelly Byke said...
Hi Jessica, loved your lit review! I was wondering about the instance of identity theft, or someone finding and using your private information online. Do you know how often these crimes occur? Should we just avoid using our personal information altogether? Perhaps some people use false information for this reason--to prevent their real information from being stolen/used against them?


In an article by Marcia Smith reported to congress addresses the issue of identity theft and the increase of this crime. It is said that about 10 million people are affected by identity theft. I don’t think it is completely necessary to completely avoid giving personal information online, for example shopping online, however we need to be educated on how to prevent people form retrieving our information. I found some tip to help internet users stay protected of catch a criminal in the act.
1. Do not give out personal information over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact or are certain you know who you are dealing with; and
2. If you store PII such as Social Security Numbers (SSNs), financial records, tax returns, birth dates, or bank account numbers on your computer:
— Use virus protection software and update it regularly;
— Do not open files sent to you by strangers or click on hyperlinks or download programs from people you do not know, and be careful about using file-sharing programs;
— Use a firewall program;
— Use a secure browser (software that encrypts information you send over the Internet);
— Try not to store financial information on your laptop;
— Delete all personal information on a computer before disposing of it; and
— Look for website privacy policies, and if you do not see one, or cannot understand it, consider doing business elsewhere.
http://italy.usembassy.gov/pdf/other/RS22082.pdf

There have been instances where people use a fake identity to browse and shop around the net. Many people have set up competently separate baking account used solely for online shopping, however if a person is using a credit card to shop then their name will be linked to the account, to prevent this you could contact your bank and tell them you don’t want your information sold.