The rats keep getting fatter
The San Francisco Chronicle has a technology blog that covered a recent research finding by the technology wizards at Gartner, in which identity thieves using "phishing" scams were estimated to have escalated their number of hapless victims by approximately 30% over the past year. Not impressed? Get this ... the annual take from these 'Net rats amounted to $3.2 billion (with a B).
At one time several years ago, I actually started saving these emails under the topic of "Nigerian Scam," thinking I would need to reference them at some time (for what purpose, I can't recall). I stopped after they became so prolific that it wasn't worth the effort.
It is hard to believe that anyone would fall for these crudely written pitches to the greedy. Do you really think someone would transfer millions of dollars into your bank account and you would get to retain a large portion of the proceeds for your trouble? What would stop you from keeping all the money that was swept into your account? And what would keep someone from siphoning off YOUR money once you gave them the account number access to your savings or checking account?
The SF Chron blog goes on to reveal several other surprising nuggets from the Gartner report. First, 11% of adults don't use any security software when surfing the Internet. Talk about trusting !! Of those who do use security precautions, 45% only use free software. Yikes !!
Next, the rats who aren't out to steal your money are out to infect your computer with adware and malware, each of which are becoming MUCH more difficult to detect and eradicate. Obviously, it's a lot easier to infect your system when you don't use any protection.
Finally, the thieves are using social engineering tricks to get you to comply by posing as a trusted source based upon your profession or special interests. Think about that the next time you are asked to post your email address on an online directory for your professional association or gardening club.
There are lots of ways to protect yourself from theft or infection. Check out a few of these tips from my April 2006 posting on this topic.
And if you're thinking about downloading the full 13 page research paper from Gartner, be advised that it requires registration and $95 fee to access it.
Rats abound, so be suspicious and don't be quick to click on links provided to you in emails from unknown persons. And for GOD sakes, don't give your bank account or credit card information to some yahoo who is seeking your assistance in moving vast amounts of money out of Nigeria (or any place else, for that matter).
Peace on Earth, good will toward man ... within reason. Merry Christmas !!
Chris Crawford
www.justiceserved.com