Identity Theft Protection Blog with Robert Siciliano

OK, this is a weird title for this blog, but you gotta read this.
First, if there was ever a reason for you to invest in a home security system the below article is it.
A Crazy guy broke into the home of a woman who he was stalking. The woman is married, but apparently [...]

Hacking has gone from “phreaking”- hacking phone systems to “cracking”-breaking into networks for fun and fame and over the past 5 years criminal hackers from all over the world are targeting huge databases full of credit card numbers. But hacking is also becoming part of popular culture. The “scriptkiddie” from back in the day is [...]

Code named Gaia after “Greek Goddess of Earth” a Google single sign on password system was hacked in December.

The NY Times reports “the intruders do not appear to have stolen passwords of Gmail users, and the company quickly started making significant changes to the security of its networks after the intrusions. But the [...]

Selling a home is a big task requiring lots of time and effort. Most people use a professional real estate agent to help them sell (which I recommend), but many today are doing it themselves. When opening your home to strangers the risks to your families’ personal security increase dramatically.

First and foremost recognize [...]

Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Expert
Stealing the identity of the living is so 2009. Stealing the identity of the dead is so wrong, and so easy. It is made even easier by public records. A provision in federal law that reformed welfare in the 1990’s also created a loophole that could allow swindlers to obtain the [...]

When something bad happens in a neighborhood, like burglaries, car theft or violence, the residents will often “react.” First thing they do is call the local home security alarm dealer, then a locksmith and maybe the local police to give a speech. For some, this may be the first time they lock their doors.
[...]

Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Expert
Fake anti-virus software called ’scareware’ pops up in your browser and begins to scan your hard-drive made to look like a legitimate scan. It often grabs a screenshot of your “My Computer” window mimicking your PCs characteristics then tricking you into clicking on links. Pop-ups bombard you and warn you that [...]

In a nearby neighborhood, kids were playing ball when a foul ball ended up in the bushes. When a boy went to recover the ball he found a loaded handgun in the bushes. Fortunately, this kid was smart enough to handle it in a way that nobody got hurt.
Even the best and most secure [...]

Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Expert
AP reports using false caller ID with the intent of tricking people into revealing personal information or otherwise causing harm would become illegal under legislation that passed the House Wednesday. The legislation would only outlaw the use of spoofing technology when the intent is to deceive and harm the recipient of [...]

In these posts I often point out what people do wrong and reverse engineer the scenario so we can learn from 20/20 hindsight what to do right next time. I’m happy to say, this post is about what was done right the first time.

There are many reasons why homes are broken into. Money [...]