Identity theft software

gillian0808

Hey All,
I have just watched the end of a tv programme about how easy it can be to steal someones identity through the internet and its really worried me.
I'm a bit of a computer novice so I was hoping you could offer some advise please?
I am running windows XP and have it protected (I hope) with the free AGV that I have seen highly recommended on MSE.
I do bank and shop online.
Do I have a real need to worry? And can I do more (cheaply or even free)?

I do try to be careful, and I am aware of not giving my bank account details, but any advise would be welcome.

Cheers Oh clever ones!!!

MercilessKiller

Make sure when accessing banks and shops you type in the links in the URL bar instead of clicking links in emails etc.

Are you behind a router? If not you may need to use a software firewall such as Zone Alarm just for extra security

Otherwise you're ok. Thousands upon thousands (upon millions!) of people make orders every day without having any problems. Don't forget those statistics on those proggys though real, still concentrate on one thing!

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

Just re-iterating what Merciless says really.

As above, never reply to e-mails requiring you to log in to confirm details or click on links within such mails.

Never open attachments from people you don't know and always scan attachments from people you do.

Don't run/install programs from sites you're unsure off. A quick post in here about any fears should quickly resolve that.

Try and keep your antivirus up to date and use a firewall.

Just general common sense browsing should keep you safe.

Browntoa

you need a real firewall if you are only using the built in Xp one

download and install kerio

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Kerio_Personal_Firewall_d738.html

this thread

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=133269

will make sure that everything is "clean" and safe

you need to remember to scan the PC from time to time with AVG and any other spyware software that you have (all listed in the thread I posted)

the other major thing that was highlighted was unprotected wireless networks, make sure that at least WEP is on but it's better if you use WPA and change the default Admin password of the router (all of this should be in the paperwork that comes with the router)

I n a 5 minute test here I got on TWO unprotected Networks and got as far as the shared folders on one and the Admin Panel as they had NOT changed the password..

wazza

depending which bank you use but with mine, halifax, it shows the date i last logged on. make note of this to make sure no-one else had logged on since.

also clear your cookies/temp files etc by using a cleaner such as ccleaner.

make sure the padlock symbol is shown when online.

You must only use ONE antivirus and ONE firewall. I use AVG and Zonealarm. Make sure they are up to date and do a virus scan before banking. Remember to switch off the windows firewall if using zonealarm.

someone here will be kind enough to direct you to a link which shows how best to protect your pc.

MercilessKiller

wazza wrote:

make sure the padlock symbol is shown when online.

For bank websites and sites when entering credit cards yes.

However for general browsing this isn't required

shown73

Pardon my ignorance, but why only one anti-virus? At the moment I have two running, and they seem to co-exist. I've heard this before, but have never seen an explanation, so I'm not trying to be clever, far from it. I also use zonealarm, but not sure if windows firewall is on or not, never thought to look.

Browntoa

Anti-virus 1 can decide antivirus 2 is a virus and clash

both use system resources and slow the pc down

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nav.nsf/docid/2000031316555206

and

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/Q189/2/64.ASP&NoWebContent=1

Microsoft recommends that you have only one anti-virus program installed on your computer.

Zagu

shown73 wrote:

Pardon my ignorance, but why only one anti-virus?

They can conflict with each other. Personally Id say that one good AV is good enough, and then occassional scans with one of the online scanners like HouseCall.

Moneymaker

Probably stating the obvious but if you use a Mac you don't need any anti-virus software slowing it down or interfering with your work (and needing daily updates - according to that TV programme). There's very little risk of keyloggers or trojans - in fact there aren't any yet - (but you can run "Little Snitch" if you are really paranoid) and OSX is inherently more secure than any flavour of Windows.

froggy27_2

I've very recently gone wireless and the programme showed how easy it was to pick up signals unless your laptop/signal was 'locked' .. can sbdy pls explain how to do that? I have a voyager 2091 router and adapter....
any other advice to protect my latptop will be welcome...
thanks in advance...