| Identity theft is a very vicious and life altering crime. It is | | | | computer updated with latest updates and security |
| the fastest growing and biggest crime in America | | | | patches of its operating system (mostly Windows) and |
| surpassing even drug trade. Identity theft intrusions can | | | | browser (Internet explorer and others). Both of these |
| come from a variety of sources and places where | | | | concerns are being addressed better than in the past |
| you hang out on the internet. Even some of our | | | | but still pose a great deal of vulnerability. Hackers have |
| favorite sites like Face Book and My Space are not | | | | the ability to find vulnerabilities and can beat firewalls. |
| scam proof and you can very easily lose your | | | | So it is far from a secure system. |
| personal information on the internet in a variety of | | | | The second point of vulnerability is the router security |
| ways. | | | | in a networked computer. But it is also one of the most |
| The dangers of identity theft are accentuated with | | | | overlooked and perhaps the best methods of |
| rapid growth of wireless communications such as the | | | | protecting your computer from intrusion and your self |
| Wi-Fi. What once appeared to be a harmless and time | | | | against identity theft on the internet. |
| efficient activity, browsing the net or checking your | | | | It is the router which assigns an IP address to the |
| email in your favorite book store, library, coffee shop | | | | computer linked to the net. IP address is a unique |
| or in hotels while on travel has turned out to be | | | | identifying numerical tag for each computer device |
| extremely dangerous because you can very easily | | | | linked to a network or the internet. It is this address |
| lose your personal information. There are countless | | | | that gets logged on and identified whenever you are |
| identity thieves with wireless snifters around these | | | | connected to the internet. Your browsing history at |
| places trying to get your credit card number, social | | | | your ISP (Internet Service Provider) can trace all your |
| security number, any identifying information and even | | | | internet activity. You can use the router to change |
| the IP address of your computer. | | | | your IP and you can make the connection secure by |
| However, due to extensive coverage in the media | | | | built in encryption capabilities of the router. |
| most people are now getting serious about preventing | | | | However, topping all these security measures is the |
| Identity Theft. Most, computers come with one of the | | | | introduction of IP Changer software that rapidly |
| many Internet Security Software available in the | | | | change IP by using a number of proxy servers at |
| market place today. What started as software to | | | | many different locations. By routing your internet |
| protect computers from viruses has grown into very | | | | connection through these anonymous proxies, the sites |
| elaborate and complex suite of security features. | | | | you visit will get one of many IP addresses other than |
| These days top Internet security software come with | | | | your own, thus hiding your real IP address from |
| features that stop viruses, spy ware and computer | | | | potential hackers and identity thieves. These software |
| hacking attempts; set parental controls and even alert | | | | and anonymous proxies have become very efficient |
| you of phishing attempts. They come with parental | | | | and send your data in encrypted form without |
| controls, advanced firewall options and even network | | | | noticeable drop in internet connection performance. |
| monitoring for wireless networks. Some of them even | | | | Thus Rapid IP change with the help of the new IP |
| have tools to clean up accumulated unwanted files | | | | changer software allow you anonymous surfing that in |
| and clutter and cookies from the internet, erase traces | | | | combination with data encryption and most advanced |
| of personal information and surfing history. Some of | | | | Internet Security Software suites provide the most |
| the latest features introduced in top internet security | | | | comprehensive shield against Identity Theft as of now. |
| software now include some form of Identity Theft | | | | It is remarkable how a simple idea to Change IP and |
| Protection measures such as password protection | | | | well established encryption technology can bring us a |
| and authentication of trusted sites. | | | | safer and more secure internet connectivity and |
| Are these measures enough and fool proof? Certainly | | | | protect us against Identity Theft more |
| not. It is a long way from a total secure environment. | | | | comprehensively than the best Internet Security |
| There are two things that come in the way. Browser | | | | software alone. |
| security and router security. It is important to keep your | | | | |