Our phones (and computers) have become an integral part of our lives. Whether we need information, to pay a bill or to keep in touch with loved ones, we use our devices and the internet. We are almost conditioned to look for a WiFi network whenever we’re out and about. WiFi can be very helpful as it can save your data, but it can also be a major pitfall. Criminals can use these networks to steal your information. Stay safe on public WiFi networks using the tips below. 

The Risks Of Public WiFi

If you’re out and about and you pull up your phone to search for a WiFi network, chances are you will see a few options. No matter where you are, you can almost always find a WiFi connection. Convenient, yes. More chances to become a victim of identity theft, also yes. 

Public WiFi can be dangerous specifically because it is public. Everyone who is connected to a WiFi network is sending their information through the same, shared space. As a user, you would never know this and it would never be an issue. However, there are many ways that criminals can intercept information from point A to point B. This is completely different from your home WiFi which should be password protected. Here are a few specific examples of how you could become a victim.

• MITM Attacks – Man-in-the-middle or MITM attacks are the most common way for thieves to steal your information over WiFi. The way it works is that a hacker will insert their device between point A (you) and point B (where you are sending information). In the short time your information is traveling from point A to point B, the hacker can log and capture your information. 
• Snooping/Sniffing – A packet sniffer is a kit that criminals can use to take data packets which contain sensitive information. Packet sniffers aren’t always used in nefarious ways, but they are one way for hackers to steal your information. 
• Rogue networks – You should never connect to a WiFi network that comes from an unknown source. Criminals can set up public WiFi networks with the intent of stealing your information. You will be able to access the internet, but you’ll also have your data captured. Oftentimes, these rogue networks will have a name very similar to a nearby, trusted network. 

Protecting Yourself On Public WiFi

If you want to stay safe on public WiFi, you have to follow a few key steps. The most effective way to safely use public WiFi is to use a VPN (virtual private network) which creates a pipeline within a public WiFi network which is secure. If you’re not using a VPN, take heed of the following information.

• Never send important information while connected to public WiFi. Would you stand up in the middle of a Starbucks and shout out your credit card or Social Security number? Absolutely not. Don’t send important e-mails, log in to important websites or make purchases using a credit card while using a public network. If you do, this information could be stolen. 
• Turn off WiFi unless you’re actually using it. The less time you’re connected to the network, the less opportunity hackers have to collect information. 
• Turn off the automatic connection feature on your phone. Also, turn off the “remember this network” feature. This will allow you to connect to WiFi only when you desire. 
• Always keep your apps and devices up to date. When an update is released for your phone or an app, it is often specifically for security purposes. Failure to update to the latest version can put you at serious risk. 
• Don’t connect to a network if you’re unsure of its origin. If you’re at a restaurant and you’re unsure which network is their official network, ask an employee. 
• Never install software over public WiFi.

WiFi can be a convenient tool if used properly. Follow the basic safety rules in order to stay safe on public WiFi. 

Most of us are conscious of the fact that viruses, or malware (malicious software), can corrupt our computers and devices. Malware is constantly changing and adapting to become more difficult to detect. Scammers are finding new ways to infiltrate your system and take advantage. One of the newer and more dangerous forms of malware is ransomware. You might be asking, what is ransomware? 

What Is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a form of malware that is used to encrypt your most important files so that you cannot access them. In order to remove the encryption, thieves will require that you pay a ‘ransom’. These ransom payments are often required to be paid using Bitcoin or other anonymous cryptocurrency. In 2019, ransomware cost Americans approximately $7.5 billion in losses. During the pandemic, ransomware has increased by a whopping 715%. Ransomware is generally targeted at businesses, but individuals are also at risk. 

Why Is Ransomware Becoming More Popular?

In short, ransomware is popular because it is successful. Thieves will encrypt your most important files which leaves you with no way to access them. This leaves you two options: pay the ransom or lose access to the files for good. Many businesses or individuals will simply pay the ransom in order to get the ordeal over with. Thieves are able to coerce you into giving them money instead of having to actually steal it. 

How Does It Work?

1. Infiltrate.  Ransomware attacks generally start with a phishing email that will contain a file which seems to be trustworthy. Oftentimes, the email will look very convincing as if it is from a trusted source. Once the file is opened, the malware will gain access to your system. Another avenue of infiltration is “malvertising.” an advertisement which contains the ransomware.
2. Encrypt. Once the malware is downloaded, hackers will have access to all of the files in your computer/device/system. Hackers will then choose to encrypt the files that they deem to be the most important which will restrict access to those with a specific decryption key. 
3. Extort. Once your files have been encrypted, thieves will demand payment of a ransom in exchange for a decryption key. This key will allow you to regain access to your files. Often, ransomware will come with a “countdown” which only gives the infected a few days to pay the ransom. This is another tactic which pushes the infected party toward paying the ransom. 
4. Remove. After paying the ransom, you will receive the decryption key, thus regaining access to your files. However, the ransomware isn’t actually removed from your device until someone manually removes it. 

Ransomware is scary because all it takes is one wrong click and you could be in a world of hurt. What is ransomware? Hopefully, one answer to that question is: “Something you never have to experience.”

February 1^st through 5^th is Identity Theft Awareness Week 2021, brought to you by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). We hope to use this opportunity to help you up your security game! 

Identity Theft grows to be a greater concern each and every year. The more we intertwine our everyday lives with technology, the more opportunity thieves have to access your information. In 2020 (and continuing into 2021), we all faced many unique challenges. COVID-19 upended all of our lives and many of us faced hardships. Identity thieves didn’t take it easy on Americans just because of a pandemic. Instead, they used it to add new scams and schemes to their arsenal. Some of the newest scams included Coronavirus stimulus scams, employment scams and COVID-19 vaccine scams. Now, more than ever, we all need to tighten up on our security in order to protect ourselves and our families.

Suggested Articles For Identity Theft Awareness Week 2021:

• COVID-19 Vaccine Scams
• How To Spot Coronavirus Scams
• Five Ways To Increase Your Security In One Day
• What You Should And Shouldn’t Carry In Your Wallet

Your security is important. Your information holds the key to much of what you hold dear. For someone to obtain your information illegally, it could mean financial and mental hardship. You need someone who has your back in case you become a victim of identity theft. Subscribing to an identity theft restoration service, such as ReclaimMyID, will provide you with someone to put in the time and effort to get your identity restored to 100% of its pre-theft status. Having an identity theft restoration service on your side can save you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars.

We hope that you use Identity Theft Awareness Week 2021 as the impetus to safeguard your information and stay up to date with the latest scams and schemes.

Whether you realize it or not, information is floating around us constantly. It could be news or it could be the credit card number of a person in the coffee shop with you. Every time we log in to a website, or sign up for a newsletter, we are sending information. Information can fall into the wrong hands. You may accidentally provide it to a scammer, someone might steal it or someone might buy it from the dark web. If you use the internet as much as most Americans, chances are your personal information has been exposed.

You may have heard the term “data breach” or “data leak” on the news. You may have even heard about a significant one, such as the Capital One, Equifax or Marriott breaches. Unfortunately, these information leaks or hacks are becoming all too common. All of us have a credit file with Equifax and most of us have stayed at a Marriott property (they own much more than just the Marriott brand). So, there’s a very good chance that our information was leaked in one of these breaches. Maybe you got lucky and you weren’t a victim of these two leaks, but what about all of the others and the others to come? Eventually it will happen (if it hasn’t already) and most everyone will become a victim of identity theft. 

Monitoring and Recovery When Your Personal Information Has Been Exposed

Due to the likeliness that your personal information has been exposed, you need to be proactive in searching for possible fraudulent activity. Here are some tips on what to look for and what to do if you find something.

• Monitor your financial accounts. In order to quickly spot identity theft, you need to monitor your financial accounts regularly (daily if possible). Your checking account, savings accounts and credit card statements need to be carefully monitored to spot anything unrecognizable. The faster you catch a discrepancy, the easier it is to remedy the situation.
• Obtain and review your credit report. You can receive a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion), once a year. So you should set a calendar reminder at three separate points in the year to obtain and review your credit report. For example, you could get TransUnion in March, Equifax in August and Experian in December. Once you obtain your report, you need to look for any suspicious activity. Any line of credit opened in your name will be listed. If you see something unrecognizable, contact the issuing institution immediately. You also should call the credit bureau you obtained the report from and request a credit freeze. A credit freeze will ensure that no lines of credit can be opened on your file without authorization from you. 
• Sign up with an identity theft restoration service. If your identity is stolen (which we’ve said will most likely happen at some point), someone will have to put in the work to restore your identity. This can take hundreds of hours and cost thousands of dollars (on average). If you sign up with an identity theft restoration service such as ReclaimMyID, before you’re a victim, they will do all of the work to restore your identity. It will save you time and money. You’ll also have the peace of mind that someone has your back if you become a victim.

The internet is great, but it also has its downsides. You have the world’s information at your fingertips, but also your personal information has been exposed. Your information and your safety is important. Use these tips to your advantage for the inevitable day you will need them.