Internet privacy is a matter we discuss quite often here at ShieldApps. It is something we work with and we tend to improve on the go as much as we can. Some of you who follow our work are probably familiar with the kind of software we work with. Some have maybe tried it already, and some maybe think about trying it. This won’t be one of our regular research based posts, but a story delivered to us by one of our satisfied customers.
The whole story is about an individual who had misfortune with hackers and online fraud. As he confesses he wasn’t aware of the real danger until he became a victim. This is what he considers the most unpleasant experience in his life.
Yes, I was a victim of an identity theft!
Online privacy is a hot topic in the US for years now. Most think there is no need for better education. But, the knowledge people have on their hands is very superficial. Information found online or heard on the TV are usually about what could happen and what to do next. There are some sources giving more info about the protection, but that also is not nearly enough.
There are things that common users can’t grasp without asking. And they rarely do!
Questions like: What internet cookies actually are? How do they work? What can be considered phishing? Who can see user’s private data and why? What for, personal information can be used? Where and how private details can disappear?
People just never wonder about these issues, so they can’t ever know. Lack of knowledge is the core of the problem.
The Story
“I am a project manager in one charity organization, so my work day is always filled with activities. I spend most of my time in the office or on meetings with potential sponsors. Considering how tired I am at the end of the day I do most of my shopping online. Also, while commuting I like to surf the web, read newspapers, watch videos, play games, basically everything all of us do daily.
After one hectic month, I’ve decided to treat myself with two days of vacation. I went to my favorite resort’s website and when I wanted to book a room, my card was declined. First thought was that there is something wrong with the website, so I gave them a call. After giving my card number the same situation occurred. Now I was confused, and a bit afraid. I headed to the bank to see what’s going on and that’s when I learned the ugly truth. All of my accounts were empty, drained from an unknown location.”
What happened here is a classical identity theft scenario. It is possible that personal information was obtained by hackers either on some suspicious website or just by gathering data from user’s digital footprint.
Digital footprint?!? What’s that?
Basically, every website is coded, and client’s activities on it affect that code. Every click in the virtual world leaves the tiny bit of information that can be linked to the user. For instance, cookies use this information to learn user’s habits and help owners of the website to adjust it to the client’s needs. But, if their server is compromised, so are everyone that visit it frequently.
What Happens After the Hack?
“The outcome was closing of all of my accounts, and not just ones in the bank. For precaution I had to change my social security number, to go through tons of paperwork, notify every institution from IRS to health insurance that it might not be me asking their services. Overall, it was a long and tiring process. It took me months to recover the damage, and people from the IC3 even told me I had luck!”
And lucky he was indeed! It might sound strange, but only thing lost in this process were money and time. Some other cases prove signs of thefts done in the name of the victim. Or even worse, identities sold on the black market ending up being used for serious crimes committed by criminals.
What Changed Since Then
“The first thing that has changed was my approach to the issue of online privacy”. Education is the key! By reading every article you can find about the subject, you can decrease the chance of being fooled. Some materials can really be helpful.
I thought to myself “If I’m paying security and insurance for my house, why wouldn’t I do the same with my personal information?”.
One of the solutions our client considered was privacy insurance. Companies provide services that ease the paperwork and even refund a good portion of lost money. But, if you think for yourself it’s better to prevent the actual identity theft. Right?
“I did my homework, researched minutely, all until I haven’t found one company with enough referrals, positive feedback and of course good pricing. My choice came down to ShieldApps’s product called PC Privacy Shield”.
PC Privacy Shield
The foundation of the app (and the main reason to pick this program) is based on discovering and destroying of the digital footprint! Once you install it and do the first scan you’ll be given a detailed report containing all of your usernames/passwords, credit card numbers, social security number, address, phone number, email, etc. So… Everything! That (free by the way…) scan report provides you with the overwhelming amount of personal data that is compromised on your PC. What’s more overwhelming is that this very same set of data is what a hacker or any novice advertising company that tagged your browser will find, and abuse!
“OMG – Now What Do I Do? How Do I Get All That Information Off?!”
When clients have their data, they are able to wipe whatever. And for good! Of course, the trail will pop up again, but that’s what the program is there for you. So you can use it daily!
“The entire process of downloading, installation and first scan took maybe five minutes in total! Upon the first use I already knew how to utilize it, and you’ve realized so far that I’m not an IT expert”.
The customer-oriented philosophy of the company is what draws people to our product! In general, the app is quite easy to get around and within few days anyone can figure it all out.
“Now I schedule my PC cleaning every day so I don’t have to turn it on manually. Also, I’m making things harder for the hackers by planting dummy websites to my history”.
“The experience I had I wish to no-one, ever! Now I only want to say how grateful I am for discovering your product”.
Don’t be lazy and dig up some more information about what YOU are doing wrong in order to fix it. If you are not into that you can always follow the path of our client and get our product to do the hard work for you.