Cyber Criminals Attack?

crusheddiced · Jul 22, 2015

I heard that there are numerous cyber criminals around who can easily get information from a computer hard drive and emails. I'm just worried about my credit card getting billed for purchases without my authorization or to find out that they already got my money in the bank. Such cases are rampant nowadays and I don't want to be a victim.

What do you think? How do I protect my computer from this attacks? Should I consult an IT
services provider to avoid it? I would greatly appreciate your suggestions

snowbear · Jul 25, 2015

Cancel every credit card and utility account you have, don't use banks, and make sure you only use cash. Now the hard part - your employer has to remove all electronic records, as well as the various government agencies that you've ever dealt with. The same is true for every place you've ever used a credit or debit card. You can easily turn off your computers for good (don't forget your cell phones and tablets). Play it safe and remove the hard drives and put them into battery acid to demolish them. Oh, and all of the other places on the 'net that you've been to - you have to try to get those records deleted (good luck with that) because all of these places can get hacked, too.

Or you could try to Google "Identity protection" but many companies will paint a gloom picture like I did above to make sure you buy their service. I have a free five-year Experian account thanks to the university I went to getting hacked. I'm waiting to see what the Federal Government (US) will do; I applied for a few jobs so I'm sure I'm among the four million that were hacked a while back. Otherwise, keep an eye on your bills and credit report.

480sparky · Jul 25, 2015

I have a real simple strategy to prevent cyber-attacks.

I just go through life flat broke. If I don't have it, they can't steal it.

robbins.photo · Jul 25, 2015

snowbear said:
Cancel every credit card and utility account you have, don't use banks, and make sure you only use cash.

Wow.. seriously? Who taught you about proper security? I mean honestly, all of that stuff is a good first step and all but pretty much useless until you line your entire apartment with tinfoil to prevent the mind reading devices from simply getting all the info they need directly from your noggin.

Sheesh.

Lok, ok, but seriously, to the OP - the best defense against such things is simple common sense. If someone sends you a link via email, don't open it. If an offer sounds to good to be true, it is.

When doing business online, if possible use a disposable credit card - and only put money into that account when you are about to purchase something. I've bought things from Amazon, but even if they get hacked tomorrow and someone gets that credit card info, it will do them no good.

You can never be 100% secure of course, but for the most part if you use a bit of common sense you reduce your risk tremendously.

snowbear · Jul 25, 2015

robbins.photo said:
snowbear said:

Cancel every credit card and utility account you have, don't use banks, and make sure you only use cash.

Click to expand...

Wow.. seriously? Who taught you about proper security? I mean honestly, all of that stuff is a good first step and all but pretty much useless until you line your entire apartment with tinfoil to prevent the mind reading devices from simply getting all the info they need directly from your noggin.

Sheesh.

Learn to recognize satire, dude.

robbins.photo · Jul 25, 2015

snowbear said:
Learn to recognize satire, dude.

Still working on Irony I'm afraid, but I'll add satire to the list. Lol

snowbear · Jul 25, 2015

Fixed with smileys.

unpopular · Jul 26, 2015

one of our debit cards went to Mexico without us. It was literally not a big deal at all. Mastercard called up within 24 hours of the transaction, and all we had to do was talk to the bank and have a statement notarized.

I don't know if every case ends up this way, but I think having your (or your children's) SSN stolen is bigger thing to worry about.

table1349 · Jul 26, 2015

Fighting out of the red corner wearing the white trunks............................Snow "Claws" Polar Bear. And fighting out of the blue corner wearing the black trunks.........................Robin "Silverback" Gorilla.

Lettttsssss Get Ready to RUUUUMMMMBLLLLEEEEE!!!!!!

Touch paws and come out FIGHTING!!!

AlanKlein · Jul 26, 2015

They'll steal your identity after you're dead. Of course, then, your children will have to worry about it.

KmH · Jul 26, 2015

Actually I am discovering it is worse than I thought it was, and I thought it was pretty bad already.

Recommended reading:
Data and Goliath: The Hidden Battles to Collect Your Data and Control Your World

One of the least secure devices to have is a smart phone.
The same fake, portable cell phone tower in a briefcase the FBI and cops now use (StingRay or International Mobile Subscriber Identity locator) is available commercially, so the cyber crooks can use it too.