What Is Computer Identity Theft?

Forms of identity have changed in the digital age.

With today's technology, it's no great surprise that criminals have become just as educated with our modern tools as the rest of us. And as a result, it is far easier today to steal someone's money from their bank account than it was 50 years ago. Much of this new ease has to do with computer access and identity theft through electronic means. Computer (PC) identity theft in particular is the most prevalent form, but it is also preventable if one follows certain practices.

Identification

Computer identity theft is the criminal act or acts of taking someone's personal information electronically that is used for their identification and using it to commit a crime. The crime may be stealing assets from the owner, using their identity to steal financial authority such as applying for a credit card with the stolen data or using the data to impersonate someone electronically. In any of these cases it is a felony if caught.

Passwords

Passwords on computers are intended to make computer security better. However, ironically, they also make PC identity theft easier. The valid password assumes that the identity of person has already been established in a system. So, if the correct login and password are submitted, then the system assumes the user is who he says he is. Once a criminal has the necessary login or password to a bank account, brokerage, or similar online financial account, then he can wreak havoc with changes and movements of money unauthorized by the true owner. Until the true owner puts a stop to it on their own, frequently the PC identity theft is successful.

Email Phishing

Even with protection of passwords, the protection of identity is only as good as the owner's own sense of what is right and wrong. Criminals love to take advantage of people by getting them to willingly hand over their identity information. Even without a password, having a name, social security number, and address can be enough to get access to accounts or, worse, open new accounts in the true owner's name.

This mistake of handing over personal data usually happens in the form of an email. By duping the owner with an official-looking email asking for specific information, the criminal gets the necessary true identification information and can then run with it before the owner realizes what is wrong. By the time authorities do make a fix, the criminal has usually opened a new credit card in the owner's name (the easiest method) and charged thousands of dollars to it. This type of PC identity theft is called Phishing.

Sharing of Personal Information

Too often people share their personal information with family and friends in trust. Elderly folks also frequently share their information with caregivers assuming they have the owner's best interest at heart. Unfortunately, sometimes this does not work out as expected, and then the family member, friend or caregiver uses the identity information to make decisions without the permission of the owner. This too is a form of PC identity theft when it involves computer accounts. Regardless of the motive, a party pretending to be another with the intent to commit a crime is committing identity theft.

Viruses, Hacks and Trojans

Unfortunately, the worst types of PC identity theft access are the unknown. Using computer programs that get your computer information without you knowing, criminals can take your keyboard strokes and deconstruct your passwords for various accounts. The best defense to this is to have good anti-virus and firewall software to stop these programs before they get into your computer.

Prevention/Solution

Delete all your old emails in the trash and regularly delete your internet browser cache. When removing old hard drives, either store them safely or destroy them physically. Avoid using memory programs for your passwords, and keep them in a paper file off your computer so they can't be stolen electronically. Use a firewall and anti-virus software to stop electronic entries as well. And never ever give your information to an email sender.

References

• PC's and Dreams: article: "Computer ID Theft a Growing Problem"
• Better Business Bureau: article: "Identity Theft"
• PrivacyMatters.com: article: "Computer Hacking and Identity Theft"

Resources

• McAffee PC Protection
• Norton 360 Protection