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Crime, fraud & cyberspace: common sense and the use of anti-virus software can help take a bite out of sinister cybercrime - Technology and You

Common sense and the use of anti-virus software can help take a bite out of sinister cybercrime

CYBERSPACE, THE NEW FRONTIER. INDIVIDUALS, organizations and companies large and small have rushed to stake a claim in its vast, uncharted territory, each seeking to write their own chapter in the annals of new media history. Internet success stories have been few since most businesses haven't vet figured out how to make money from the Net. But the mad rush shows no signs of slowing.

The online population is booming and just like the Western frontier, it has its share of honorable prospectors, merchants, claim jumpers and thieves. Frontier settlers had to learn to protect themselves from criminals and new inventive methods of crime. Cybernauts should expect no less. Now it's time to get cyberwise to protect ourselves from cybercrime o the Wild, Wild Web.

"It's a normal progression in the cyber-environment," says Jerome Bullock, managing director of Decision Strategies in Washington, D.C. "The more opportunities you have online, the more opportunities you have for crime."

When people think about cybercrime, most worry about someone stealing credit card information or luring their children over the Internet into danger. However, those crimes happen much more often in the real world than in the virtual one. The most common cybercrimes arc fraud, forgery, larceny and vandalism.

Fraud. Pyramid schemes, chain e-mail, shaky business investments and supposed miracle health products have all been reported in cybcrspace. The key to foiling these scams, which prey on their victims' greed, is to use common sense. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. "The Internet is the perfect medium for fraud," says Carolyn Ham, assistant attorney general of Minnesota. "It's so cheap. You can reach millions of people. And for some reason, people tend to give more credence to something because it's on the Web.

There is a new type of fraud called the area code scam. Unsuspecting surfers receive an "urgent" or 911 message through your e-mail, pager or voice mail. The return phone number has an unfamiliar area code, but you dial it anyway. The area code, which appears to be in the U.S., is actually the long distance number of an international pay-per-call line. Consumers who return these calls are kept on line while the phone charges mount and con artists receive rebates from foreign telephone companies. The Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) warns consumers to be wary of return phone numbers using 809, 758 or 664 area codes or the 011 international code. If you're not sure about an area code, contact your local telephone company.

Forgery Although less costly to the victim than fraud, forgery is a common crime committed over the Internet, says Ira Winkler, director of technology for the National Computer Security Association (www.ncsa.com). In one case, a person used someone else's e-mail address to post gruesome messages on America Online's Oklahoma bombing message board. The forger also included the telephone number of his victim, who received death threats. Most of the time the forgers just want to harass their victims.

Sometimes forgers seek to ruin reputations, such as when someone sends nasty messages to the boss using another person's e-mail account. To protect yourself Winkler suggests logging off when you leave your desk. You can also use password protection tools available for Windows and Macintosh. PGP (pretty good privacy) encryption software enables users to create a digital signature to accompany files sent from their computer.

Larceny We all worry about having private information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers or home addresses stolen over the Internet. While unlikely, there are steps to take that will further minimize your vulnerability. Before purchasing a product online, make sure the company has a physical address and not just a post office box or e-mail address. When you telephone the company, be sure to get a person on the other end, not voice mail. Take note of how that person treats you. These can offer clues as to the level of professionalism of a virtual company. Remember, anyone can set up an impressive Web site. Check with your local Better Business Bureau (www.bbb-nine.org) to see if any complaints have been filed against the company.

If you want to shop online, you are probably better offdealing with reputable companies on commercial online services. These companies have entered into agreements with the online services and legally have too much to lose to risk any mishaps with a customer's credit card number. If you do shop over the Web, be sure you're at an official and secure site.

In addition, you should transmit sensitive data only on secure (encrypted) Web sites. Netscape Navigator, the most popular Web browser, has a tiny key icon at the bottom of the screen that connects when a site is secure. Most browsers also have a pop-up message that warns you before you send data to an unsecured Web site. Check with your Internet Service Provider or browser manual for indications that you're using a secure site.

Most major corporations have Web site addresses with the company name, i.e., ibm.com, nbc.com or micro soft.com. Be wary if you find a supposedly official IBM site at bm.4568.jesse/ jesse's mom/etc. In other words, if it doesn't look right, move on. Better yet, report this site to IBM, which has a vested interest in getting the phony Web page off the Internet.

Encryption software is also a good idea if you regularly send sensitive information over the Internet. Make sure the people you are sending messages to also have encryption software. Also, you should change your password regularly and never give it out.

Vandalism. In the same way that teens spray-paint neighborhood homes or city walls, hackers can destroy your system just for fun. You've heard of killer computer viruses sent over the Internet to reek havoc on unsuspecting computer users. Sometimes these nasty programs come in the form of beta software offers, software nearing its final release.

So how do you keep vandals at bay? Install anti-virus software. "Viruses are a lot more common than hackers," says Winkler. Make sure you update your anti-virus software regularly. Don't install software unless you are certain of its source. To further frustrate potential hackers, Bullock recommends that you have a secure connection before downloading software.

Also, make sure you fix what Winkler calls "known vulnerabilities," glitches in your software that are recognized and publicized. "Hackers are not geniuses. They use known vulnerabilities," says Winkler. Fixes or patches for these vulnerabilities can be found at sites of software manufactures. They are there to help licensed users of the product fix minor flaws in the software. Many security flaws aren't found until the software has been released to the public, so be sure to keep abreast of the latest developments with all of your Internet-related applications.

Microsoft's Internet Explorer 3.0 Web browser has had its share of security problems. These flaws would reportedly allow a hacker to run any DOS command on the machine of an Explorer user who visits the attacker's home page. For example, the attacker could read, modify or delete the victim's files, or insert a virus or backdoor entrance into the victim's machine. Fortunately, they have been addressed, and patches can be found at Microsoft's Web site (www.micrasoft.com/ie/default.asp).

With so many threats online, the Information Superhighway may seem unsafe. You can protect yourself by constantly keeping your guard up. Says Bullock: "It's a never-ending process."