Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Expert

Malicious software designed to gather usernames and passwords has been a boon for the criminal hacking community. Spyware as it’s commonly known records almost everything a user does on their PC. The most damaging spyware records all electronic communications via a web browser. That’s where the most damage can be done and the money is made.

Recent study shows there are as many as 70,000 variations of these keystroke sniffing programs which is double what was discovered in 2008. Criminals have become proficient at hacking databases containing millions of credit card numbers but now have such a glut of data, they have to work hard to turn it into actual cash.

IT security professional have also become better at discovering a breach and those same credit card numbers become invalid soon after.

When fully accessing a persons, or a businesses bank account, this allows the criminal hacker more time to transfer funds and write checks to themselves. Scraping user names and passwords for Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites also allows the hacker to spread more spyware to those in the trusted circle and gives the attacker an opportunity reach out to the friends or followers of the victims to scam money in many other ways.

These same hackers are enjoying access to a persons email account which may have a trove of data leading to even more usernames and passwords either contained in attached or cloud based documents. Having access to hacked email allows the resetting of many of the victims “password resets’ on various accounts too.

Protect your identity:

1. Get a credit freeze. Click on the preceding link and follow the steps for your particular state. This is an absolutely necessary tool to secure your credit. In most cases, it prevents new accounts from being opened in your name. This makes your Social Security number useless to a potential identity thief.

2. Invest in anti-virus and keep it auto-updated and check out my spyware killer IDTheftSecurty HERE

3. Go to my website and get my FREE ebook on how to protect yourself from the bad guy.

4. Invest in Intelius identity theft protection and prevention. Not all forms of identity theft can be prevented, but identity theft protection services can dramatically reduce your risk. (Disclosures)

Robert Siciliano identity theft speaker discussing hacked Hotmail accounts on Fox News