At one time thieves and robbers were limited to where they could work from for geographical reasons.  They had to take into account how much petrol would fit into the tank of their getaway car, how much swag they could carry and if they could plan a decent escape route that would take them away from the scene of the crime as fast as possible, before the road blocks went up.  

Nowadays thanks to the wonders of the internet cyber-theft knows no boundaries and super hackers have found ways to make it possible to carry out crimes that bring in rewards of tens of millions of dollars without having to get up out of their easy chair,

From their havens around the World, with centres being as far apart as the Far East and Eastern Europe, cyber criminals can employ the latest spyware to extract information on individuals or company’s sensitive financial details.  Once they have that information at their disposal the sky is the limit to as how much money they can extract. And the chances are that nobody will notice till it is long gone. Cyber crimes are very difficult to solve as fingerprints or any other form of evidence is left at the scene.

So basically the only way that a computer owner or operator can protect their information and security us to set up roadblocks before the crime is committed. These days information highways are getting broader all the time, and the thieves that travel on them are getting smarter and more sophisticated as fast as the companies who provide software such as web browsers and operating systems progress. That means that these roadblocks whose role it will be to prevent the infiltration of viruses, malwares and worms into a computer need to be equal to the task of manning the roadblocks.

That’s why companies and individuals who can’t afford to take chances and  need to know that they are being protected at all times go for the most powerful and professional anti-virus software that is available on the market.

These raids can come from everywhere and at any time of the day or night, so remember that a good anti-virus program never sleeps. 

For more information of anti virus soft ware visit http://www.mcafee-downloads.co.uk/

Tags: Anti Virus, cyber-criminals, cyber-theft, cybercriminals, Fraud, Phishing Scams, Spam

People who earn their living in the software industry probably comprise the most innovative group of people in the world with, sadly, some of them working on the “wrong side of the tracks”.

There is a constant war going on against cybercrime, which seems to pop up in the most original of formats, with one of the latest to rear its ugly head being “rogueware” which, for the common man, means scam anti-virus products.

It’s a funny thing about anti-virus programs, where so money people are prepared to spend hundreds of pounds on upgrading their computer, increased bandwidth and all the latest accessories yet are very reluctant to spend more than £50 to protect their computer, with all the data contained in it, as well as that of their friends, family and colleagues. 

Those who lurk in the shadows of cyberspace are well aware of this characteristic and have found yet another way of exploiting it, with the launch of a never-ending stream of Rogueware, with which they tempt the less responsible and easily influenced, with prices of between thirty to fifty pounds for full “anti-virus” protection. Sounds cheap enough, till you discover that these programs at best do nothing and, in most cases, invite all kinds of malware into the innocent victim’s computer. The unbelievable truth is that  a large number of computer owners have had no form of virus protection on their computer till recently, They only become aware of the need for anti-virus protection when a pop up appears on their computer, advising them to immediately purchase a rogueware product.

Statistics show that there are now 200 different versions of rogueware available online, some of which are very sophisticated. Unfortunately, not in virus protection, but by creating variants programmed to make detection by anti-virus vendors difficult, and also stubbornly refuse to be removed from a computer system, using background processes to protect un-installation or tampering.  To date, Windows has introduced an uninstall set-up to deal with just 27 of the 200 rogue anti-virus software programs from the computer system, through their Malicious Software Removal Tool which is updated every second Tuesday of the month, as part of  the Patch Tuesday set up.

Rogueware is becoming a serious problem for the innocent and an increasingly big earner for cyber criminals, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) estimating that fake anti-virus programs have raked in more than $150 million (£100 million) for scammers so far in 2009.

Tags: Anti Virus, Digital Download Products, FBI, Fraud, Malicious Software, Mcafee, Rogueware, Trojan Horses, Viruses

Selling a car was always a bit risky; the dodgy cheque, the bundle of forged cash, the chance that someone would drive off when test driving, or come back at night and steal it.

But now, what with a lot of cars sold through web-sites and more haggling done via the emails and telephone, those days almost seem quaint and innocent. You now have to accept that there are a large number of people out there ready to take you for a ride, and you have to be on your guard. It’s best to play it really safe and in a way, be cynical of all approaches. A case of guilty until proved innocent.

There are quite a few cons out there, but basically all work to the same theme, and unfortunately they rely on people being gullible and trustworthy. Some will involve chancers who operate on the margins in this country, earning a good living by creaming off a few hundred pounds here and there from people selling anything, not just cars, and then there are the more organised crime gangs, often based in other countries, who are sophisticated and very clever at parting you and your money.

One of the more popular cons at the moment is the forged cheque technique.

You have a car to sell and someone emails you offering to buy it, but then sends you a seemingly sound looking cheque (certified, cashiers, building society, or bankers draft) for too much money. You get the cheque, you email them and they, all sweetness and light, say not to worry, when their cheque has cleared, could you please send the surplus via money transfer to their shipping agent.

Quite reasonable you think. So their cheque clears in three days, you send the surplus money as requested, and then, some two weeks later, your bank informs you that the cheque was actually stolen and claims all the monies back, including your surplus payment which you have no chance of claiming back because it was by money transfer and when you look at your emails with the buyer, you have no idea where this person actually is.

Basically, your are blinded by the sense of fairness of it all. You end up having not sold your car and having forked out a few hundred pounds for the priviledge.

Now, let’s not go into the banks role in all this, which seems to regard you as the sole judge of the legitimate status of a cheque and leaves you to carry the can. Rather, lets look at a few basics. There is one great rule in life; there’s no such thing as a free lunch. If someone offers you more than you are asking for the car, then why would they do that: are they stupid, on the make, or have made a genuine mistake. Rarely do people happily pay over the odds for it and if that is what happens to you, then stop right there.
Report the email and send the cheque to the authorities; or, if you think it a genuine mistake, ask for the correct amount of money to be sent and for a longer period for the cheque to be cleared, informing your bank that it might be suspect.

Also, have a close look at the email that comes from the alleged buyer. Poor English is often a sign that it is coming from far afield, from someone sat thousands of miles away with no intention of buying your car. Also, look at the email address. If it’s from one of the free services, then remember that anyone, anywhere can create such an address, with few details, in seconds.

Basically, if it doesn’t feel right, then it most probably isn’t.

A less sophisticated con, but one quite effective nonetheless, is targeted at people selling their cars through web-sites and listings magazines.

A company emails, or rings someone selling a car and says I represent ABC Ltd (it will be a very respectable name, with references to cars in it) and have a firm buyer for your car, but you need to pay a deposit, lets say £99 (they judge the price just right, so as to avoid the tricked person spending too much on chasing them) to secure the sale, otherwise the buyer, tired of being gazumped, will walk away.

Great you say, what’s £99, if I have a firm buyer for my car and the £99 will be refunded after the sale anyway. Wrong. That’s the rule of any transaction. He who comes first with the loot, gets the deal. Why should you pay anyone to have anyone secure the deal? And when you think about it, the prospective purchaser hasn’t even seen your car, so why would they enter into such an agreement?

But of course, people pay over the £99, no buyer transpires and no-one ever answers the telephone at the company who’s just fleeced you of £99. And most people say nevermind, put it down to one of life’s lessons and walk away embarrassed.

Above all, remember that if it doesn’t sound right, don’t touch it with a barge pole!

Tags: AA, Car Insurance, Car Maintenance, Cars, Fraud, Phishing Scams

It’s a common question, how do I report email scams, and the best advice is to either send them to your internet service provider (ISP), or to one of a number of web-sites that collect such emails and try and do something about them, mainly by notifying the authorities.

 

But such is the current sense of mistrust in cyber space at the moment, ensure that the site your are sending examples to is legitimate and safe. It may be worth asking around, or asking your ISP for details of such sites.

 

Firstly though, make sure you are protected. Don’t surf, or accept emails without good anti-virus software. And unless you know who an email is from, don’t open any attachment.

 

Attachments from scam emails often contain a hideous thing called Malware. You won’t know it’s Malware of course; it will be labelled something innocuous and while you’re enjoying maybe a witty message sent with the email, or looking at a salacious picture of a misbehaving celebrity, the Malware will act as a Trojan Horse and bury itself deep within your computer files.

 

And this is no joke; just like Sc-Fi films that have worms burying themselves deep in a person’s brain and taking that person over (the latest example being on Spider Man 3), the computer Malware Virus will start to take control of your computer. And what it’s very good at is communicating with the ‘mother ship’; in effect, its creator, and when activated, its favourite past time will be to send your personal information – especially your bank details – to criminals who will try to steal your identity and maybe drain your bank account without you even being aware of their existence, until you get a call from your bank.

 

Scammers are very creative people, so be aware that the con is constantly changing its approach, but each attempt is basically the same, to extract from you information, or monies.

 

So when you get a dubious email – and you’ll get lots in the course of a week – you should place it in a spam folder and then either ‘Google’ the basic details (to find out what other people think of it) and if worthy of someone’s attention (say maybe it has a new, novel approach), send it to your ISP, or appropriate web-site.

 

You can either forward the email in its entirety, or read how the web-site you’ve chosen would like the email sent. Most have automated systems which cope with incoming emails in a certain way, so it’s always best to check.

 

Fingers crossed, one day everyone will become as suspicious as you and then, maybe, cyber space might rid itself of the time-wasting and aggressive spam emails.

Tags: Anti Virus, Fraud, Mcafee, Spam, Trojan Horses, Viruses

Lottery scams are on the increase, so be warned.

Also, the scammers’ attempts to part you from your money are becoming more sophisticated, so you have to be doubly on your guard.

Up until now, the bogus lottery email scams have been quite straightforward, relying on the fact that people who receive an email saying they’ve won millions, mainly in an overseas lottery, will be blinded by joy and readily send a release fee.

But, when the U.K. lottery began sending emails to people who have legitimately won, the email scammer has seen his chance to get the con to work. Thus, they are now much more sophisticated in tone and content. It is worth noting that emails informing you of a win have now been officially stopped, so as to avoid giving the scammers a chance.

Firstly, the scammer builds a quite convincing email, using lots of official logos and graphics, plus the official address of the lottery company. Then they use accurate information from one of the draws and also, throw-in official looking words to try and convince the reader that it must be genuine.

And they won’t ask for the administration, or release fee straight away, more than likely they will try and hook you with innocent sounding requests at first, such as can you verify your name, address and, horribly, your bank account details. Once you’re on the hook, they will try and reel you in. And then comes the request for money.

But, before you do anything, take a step back. Think clearly and be questioning.

To start with, the only legal U.K. national lottery is run by Camelot and their web-site is www.national-lottery.co.uk. You can play online, or buy tickets in a shop with an official lottery terminal. If you have an email pretending to be from Camelot, have a close look at the address. If it looks odd at all – either from a free web-hosting service, or with a number of letters and numbers surrounding the official looking words – reject it. Camelot have a recognised email address. So if in doubt, bin it.

Look at the draw details in the email. Most scammers use draws from a few weeks in the past, so why would Camelot send you an email with out-of-date information.

And as said above, emails notifying people of wins are no longer issued, so any email saying different is bogus: simple.

But if you’re still unsure, why would an official lottery expect you to pay an administration fee to receive your prize? And why would they ask you not to tell anyone else, which is usually what they say in the email – what is their motive for saying that, unless they don’t want you to alert anyone that you’re about to be conned.

So, if you get an email saying you’ve won the lottery, the best thing you can do is bin it straight away. Don’t, whatever you do, reply, as you’ll end up with the booby prize.

Tags: Anti Virus, Camelot, Fraud, Lottery Scams, Mcafee, Scammers, Scams, Spam

Most people believe hackers are criminals who gain illegal access to computers to steal data or money. This is not correct.

A hacker is certainly a computer security expert who has the skill and experience to write computer software that can bypass security on your home computer or a business network.

Hackers would argue this is a hobby not a crime. For some, it’s a job as large corporations and government departments employ them to find and plug security holes.

The bad guys are really ‘crackers’ – these are computer experts with the same knowledge and experience as hackers, but instead of treating their skill as a hobby, their objective is to gain some political, financial or other gain by breaking in to an organisation’s computer security.
To insiders, this comes down to white, grey and black hats.

White hat hackers are the good guys – they work to boost computer security

Grey hats are really good guys who act the wrong way – for instance a grey hat might breach a computer system to advertise the vulnerabilit

Black hats are crackers – they are out to make political, personal or financial gain by breaking in to other people’s computer systems.
Can I stop hackers intruding in to my system?

Yes and no. Lots of firewalls, computer security and antivirus programs will stop hackers.
The trouble is it’s like having a security system on your house or car. It’ll put off the less experienced but won’t stop a determined intruder.

That doesn’t mean firewalls and other security are no good, it just means some crackers write better code.

What to do if you are hacked

First, switch off your computer and disconnect from the internet.

Next call your internet service provider (ISP) and tell them you think you have been hacked. They have data logs of all their server activity and more sophisticated methods to track a hacker and should act immediately.

Next, if you think you are a victim of identity theft or a fraud, call the police.

How do I trace the hacker?

Unless the hacker is inexperienced, you won’t. You may trace a web of computers that originated the attack, but the user is unlikely to be involved or aware of what has happened.
The hacker will probably have used a ‘zombie’ – computer taken over by malware – to mount the attack on you.

If I find the hacker should I retaliate?

No.
Firstly, if the hacker has cloaked the attack through a ‘zombie’, you are attacking an innocent third party.

Secondly, your retaliation may be a criminal act as well.

Tags: Fraud, Hackers, Identity Theft, Malware

Don’t celebrate too much if you receive an email from the taxman telling you to expect a tax rebate – it’s probably a scam.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is the latest target of internet fraudsters trying to con their way in to your bank account to clean out your cash.

The taxman is warning that these fraudsters are sending out thousands of scam mails to unsuspecting people every day.

If you receive an email with a form attached like the one below, then forward the message and attachment to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk so they can warn other people about the scam.

If you reply by filling in your credit card details as requested, you are simply passing your financial information to a fraudster who will run up bills on your card.

This is not the only tax scam scheme doing the rounds. HMRC also warns con artists are telephoning people to demand VAT and customs payments on impounded parcels.

Variations on the theme include an email requesting you fill out a customs declaration to release an impounded parcel. This email contains a virus that can damage the data on your hard drive and also allow fraudsters to take over your computer remotely.

If you receive emails or telephone calls from someone purporting to be from HMRC, then take a few checks to protect your personal and financial information.

Look for the ‘padlock’ icon in your browser when you log on to HMRC web services. If the padlock is absent from the bottom right corner, you do not have a secure connection and may be connected to a scam web site.

Scam emails are not addressed to you by name generally, but “Dear customer” or some similar phrase.

Checking the sender’s email address does not always show up a fraudster – it’s easy for a computer expert to insert a false sender address in to an email. If in doubt, do not respond.

Don’t click on links in emails on web pages that you think are suspect – the sites at the end of these links may be set up for detecting keyboard strokes when you enter a user name or password or to download a virus to your system.

If you receive a telephone call from HMRC, don’t ring back the number the person gives you – it could be anywhere. Instead, call your own tax office direct. The number is on the official HMRC web site If you think you have a dodgy email, then don’t respond and again call your tax office direct. Someone there will confirm if HMRC has tried to contact you or not.
For more information about scammers impersonating the tax man, check out the HMRC web site for regular updates.

Tags: Fraud, Phishing Scams, Scams, Tax Fraud

Any dramatic technological breakthrough inevitably brings with it some form of negative reaction and sadly the revolution in mobile phone use in the UK has proved to be no different.

The vast sums of money that this dynamic industry generates have drawn the usual numbers of petty crooks and con artist who will try and make some dishonest cash on the backs of the innocent cell phone user.

Many mobile phone users are blissfully unaware of the tricks and ruses that these cellular criminals use to earn their dishonest living.

Whilst the financial damage may not be crippling, and most mobile phone users never even discover that they have been victims to a mobile phone fraud, the amount of money that is being taken out of the system is considerable.

The UK’s major mobile phone service providers are constantly alert to the dangers and costs of mobile phone fraud and have made considerable inroads in its prevention. However no one is really able to put a figure on how much it cost to either the provider or the consumer.

Fraudsters are constantly on the look-out for opportunities to tap into a mobile phone and clone its details. The phone companies are especially aware of this type of fraud and have made considerable provisions to prevent it. However as the service providers have become increasingly sophisticated in their methods of security, the cyber criminals have also increased and improved their means of tapping into a mobile phone’s data base.

Once this happens the criminal has free reign to use your phone details to make or even sell unlimited telephone calls to any location in the planet. They can either decide to make a one month blitz as they normally do or spin out the pleasure over a longer period.

The latter option is rare, because they stand a larger chance of being traced if the owner becomes suspicious. What usually happens is that the subscriber gets a monthly bill which is massive. If the subscriber can prove that they never made these calls, they will generally be reimbursed.

How can this type of cell phone cheat be prevented?
If someone that you don’t know calls you on a mobile phone with a restricted identity number and leaves you a message to call another cell phone number to receive some important information, the chances are that they are trying to clone your mobile phone number and other details. Criminally driven technology has been developed that will enable this. If you think that someone is trying to pull this stroke on you, don’t call back. Instead contact your mobile phone service provider with all the details.

Subscriber fraud is another type of cell phone scam that has become a problematic issue. The repercussions from subscriber fraud are potentially more serious as in truth subscriber fraud represents identity theft in another format. How it works is that the cyber criminal takes a person’s identity at random and uses it to establish an account with a cell phone service provider.

At one time, the system was more open to this type of fraud than it is now. However the service providers have gradually increased their security and identification procedures to an extent that it is virtually impossible. However if the phone scam expert is sophisticated enough one or two deals will slip through and can create a long term problem for the hapless victim.

One thing that stands out in mobile phone fraud is that the subscriber is rarely to blame for what happens, and the battle is between the service provider, the police and the criminal. For that reason, people who find themselves victims of mobile phone fraud should report immediately to their service provider, who will, in the majority of cases, reimburse their customers for any losses.

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For the best deals on mobiles visit http://www.compare-mobile.co.uk/ who have 176,432 Deals from 32 retailers available on all the networks

Tags: Compare Mobile, Fraud, Mobile Phone, Mobile Phone Fraud, Telecommnications

As is the case with other technical innovations that seemed to have evolved only in the last ten years or so, the mobile phone is here and it certainly has made our lives easier and in many ways. Yet the innovation of the mobile phone and the freedom to communicate and to be communicated with, when and where you want comes with a price. The need to be especially aware of the many tricks and “scams” surrounding this life changing technology. These scams have been set in place by less than scrupulous companies who see mobile phones as a worthwhile nice to earn an extra few pounds, usually on the back of the innocent, the gullible and the trusting.

The mobile phone has become such a major part of our lives these days, as well as our culture. And it is only natural that we all try and to stamp a little piece of our personal identity on our phones. Such is the dynamism of the industry that many companies are now offer free personalized ring tones, so that when your phone rings, it will sound different from everyone else. Sound innocent enough, but many unscrupulous companies mask their free offer with concurring charges that can go on for extended periods and with no way of getting out of the contract, and “free” very quickly becomes expensive.

Owning a mobile phone for teenagers is a very important issue indeed. Someone who doesn’t have their own mobile stands a very fair chance of being socially ostracized, and not spending a lot of time sending SMS messages is also considered “cool”. Once again there are scam artists in waiting for our young and not so young SMS freaks. They spam mobile phones with offers of a wide range of once in a life time opportunities, that generally turn out to be fake. As in life, so with mobile phones.
Nothing in life is free except the birds and the trees, and “a once in a life time opportunity” is best to be ignored.

This is especially true when a subscriber is contacted by a mobile phone service provider, usually not so well known, offering considerably reduced rates usually backed up with the temptation of this month’s most recent model of mobile phone. Blinded by the thought, many users make a verbal commitment without digging too deep into the repercussions of what they are essentially committing themselves for.

After the excitement of getting used to the wonders of their new phone has died down, they suddenly discover that their mobile phone charges are considerably higher, and they have made an unwitting commitment to the service provider for a longer period than they intended.
Whilst this form of marketing is not illegal, it is at best unethical and should be steered well clear of. We all like the chance to get something new which is ostensibly “free”.

Someone who is regarded as being responsible enough to own their own mobile phone should take the time every now and again to find out where they stand with their service provider. If they want to upgrade their phone, they should do so through them, or with another provider who they are aware of. That way they will be able to make any decisions regarding the mobile phone of their dreams without too much pressure, l reducing the chances of being caught in any of the many traps they can fall into.

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For the best deals on mobiles visit http://www.compare-mobile.com/ who have 176,432 Deals from 32 retailers available on all the networks

Tags: Compare Mobile Phones, Fraud, Free Mobile, Free Mobile Phone, Mobile Phone, Phone Scams, Scams, Telecommunications

With the number of charity scams around, how do you know that your money goes where it is needed? Okay, it’s a sad fact that we live in a world where charity scams are big business and are, especially in the U.K., on the increase.

There are three types of charity scam kicking around at the moment.

The first is the obvious one, the bogus charity. It’s not that difficult to create a name, print a letterhead and invent a pseudo charity number. And it’s not that difficult to write a nice, gently pleading letter which is designed to part a kind person from their money. The key for the spammer is to pull the heartstrings. Best bets are poorly kids, or dying pets. As long as its all looks genuine, as the amounts requested are small and easily affordable, and as long as the emotions play a part, the money will roll in.

Another twist on this is to play on the emotions following a disaster. The London bombings were a field day for the fraudsters.

Secondly, telephone marketing is a good whiz for the scammers, whether they elicit money through softly spoken people who work the phones, or send persuasive emails. In fact, emails and false web-sites have been great news for those that are determined to exploit people’s better nature.

Thirdly, it’s a more old fashioned scam, with street collectors calling on people in their homes, or standing on street corners, giving out envelopes, or rattling tins. People can find this very off-putting, as the request is immediate and very often, quite intimidating.

Okay, so there’s lots of dubious characters out there on the street, on the telephone and in cyberspace. What can you do about it?

Bogus charities are slightly easier to cope with than those pretending to be from a recognised charity. This can be checked out. All U.K charities have to be registered with the Charity Commission There’s an official site – www.charity-commission.gov.uk – which lists all U.K. charities and gives extensive advice on how they should behave.

Telemarketing and email techniques are used by a number of charities, but not on a large-scale, so if in doubt, don’t get tricked by persuasive callers, or pleading emails. If in doubt, politely terminate the call, or bin the email.

As to door-to-door collectors, again, if you’re in any doubt, ask to see I.D, note their charity number and ask them a few questions. If you’re still not convinced, then say you’d prefer to pay by standing order, at a later date. And never allow any door-step caller into your home.

And once you’ve convinced yourself that the charity is genuine, and that you want to send them some money, then its worth a quick conversation to see where your money will end up. How much of your pound will be sent to the particular cause the charity represents? It’s a fair question and if it all goes on company cars for the management, maybe think again.

Be on the look out for charity scams and once you’ve decided who to give to, find out if your money goes where it is needed.

Tags: Charities, Charity Event, Charity Scams, Events, Fraud, Fund Rising, Gifts