***How To Keep The Content's Of Your Wallet -And Laptop Safe!

Many credit cards, drivers' licenses, corporate and college ids, speed passes and passports now contain RFID tags. nnWhy should you care? nnBecause criminals have discovered that electronic devices known as Radio Frequency Readers (or Remote Frequency Readers), readily available on the web for less than $100, can scan and "skim" your personal information from you – without your knowledge. nnNot too long ago, my local ABC station (WPLG, Miami) aired a disturbing, eye-opening report. Without any difficulty, the WPLG investigative reporter purchased one of the RFR devices on the web and began her journey to find out just how easily she could steal her co-workers’ personal information. nnFirst, she armed and activated her device with an audible alarm in order to allow the viewers, and her intended targets, to hear an audible signal each time the device successfully “skimmed” a target’s data. Her targets would not immediately know why an annoying beeping noise was emitting from the reporter’s purse…at least not until it was too late.nnCarrying her purse, the reporter nonchalantly walked by an unsuspecting employee’s desk, and suddenly, a beeping noise emanated from the reporter's bag. She then set her purse on another co-worker's desk – again, more beeping could be heard. She proceeded to walk casually down the office hallway past another co-worker – beep beep beep. Each audible beep meant she had successfully hacked an unsuspecting target’s private information - information the target believed was safe and sound.nnKeep in mind, the devices used by criminals won’t be equipped with an audible alarm designed to warn us they're about to attack our purses, wallets or businesses, as this investigative reporter's device was equipped to do. The reporter also warned viewers that criminals will often work in teams. While one crook is skimming your information, the other is busy snapping a picture of you on his/her cell phone. In a few short seconds, for all intents and purposes -they've just stolen you, or at least your identity!nnIt's hard to imagine just how much sensitive information can be "skimmed" at airports, shopping malls, grocery stores, sporting events, universities, etc. without anyone noticing. nnCould confidential information stored on access badges or key cards -if stolen, provide a thief entrance or access to pass protected computers, corporate or government facilities, college campuses or classified information? Yes - if it’s not properly secured and protected.nnSince avoiding identity theft has become a routine part of our lives these days, given the sharp rise in data breaches, computer hacking, telephone scams, online credit card predators and fraud…this latest technology isn't something we can afford to ignore. nnInnovative criminals have installed RF readers on ATM's, embedded them in carpets, and hidden them on store shelves. Criminals may be disguised as your pleasant waiter or friendly cashier, just waiting to swipe more than your credit card with one of these hidden devices. When you've been “skimmed” and "scammed" - odds are you won't know about it… until the damage has already been done.nnWhat can you do to minimize your risk of RFID attacks?nnAside from using tin foil or duct tape used to hide and block your identifying information, you can purchase RFID Blocking Wallets. RFID Blocking Wallets are readily available on the web and ensure that cards with RFID tags within the wallet can NOT be read while the wallet or passport is closed. This gives you the ability to control when, how and by whom your cards are accessed. They come in assorted colors and styles. One I use and can recommend is available at difrwear.com. nnGPS… software for laptops! Who knew?nnOver the last 6 months, many of the data breaches that have occurred have happened through the theft of laptops. A company that sells GPS tracking software recently claimed that 1 laptop is stolen every twelve seconds. That caught my attention so I contacted the company through their website and inquired where that statistic came from. Here is the response I received from Dan Yost, Chief Technology Officer of MyLapTopGPS.nn“…With respect to the 12 seconds, it is an estimate based on historically published numbers, combined with extrapolation and "minimized" for safety. That is, many folks would claim that the figure is even more extreme--say 8 or 9 seconds.nnBut the 12 is more reasonable in our opinion, yet still represents an enormous problem.nnSome data comes from the FBI, some from Safeware Insurance (a big laptop insurer), some from Infoworld, and other surveys.nn* In 2003, worldwide laptop thefts topped 1,000,000 (FBI)nn* Other FBI data in 2004 indicate 1.5 million worldwidenthefts, up 50 percent over 2003. (Infoworld, October 2004)nnAnd all this was THREE YEARS ago!nn* IDC estimates 100,000,000 laptop shipments in 2008nnExtrapolating based on 1.5 million thefts, on a 50% rise, three years ago, would bring the estimate to be MUCH worse than 12 seconds--perhaps even 4 or 5 seconds.nnSo, frankly, 12 seconds is a BEST case scenario based on all the data.”nnWith the explosion of laptop usage the number of thefts will no doubt be on the rise. Laptops are a growing target of thieves and the data contained in them…viewed as valuable commodities, more than worth their weight in gold! nnUltimately, if your laptop is stolen but equipped with GPS software, the system allows you to track the stolen laptop and better yet, renders your data useless to a thief.nnIn plain words, once the thief uses the stolen laptop to go on the internet, the software silently and immediately retrieves the data off the computer to return to you, and then deletes files from the stolen laptop. In strange twist of fate for the thief –you’ve stolen back your own data and the thief is left with nothing! As an added theft deterrent, the company supplies subscribers with labels ready to be affixed to your laptop designed to warn any would-be-thieves that your computer is equipped with GPS tracking software.nnFor any additional information on these products or tips to help protect your personal information and your identity –please feel free to email me.