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Image via Wikipedia

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Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Yes, there are criminals on the internet. Frequently we do not even know who we are communicating with. Some convicted persons are in prison as they type and communicate with computers and do not use the computer for bad things. There are the pedophiles who prey on children and converse with them behind parents backs. In this article I will discuss a certain type of criminal which costs taxpayers and innocent persons billions each year. These criminals want certain things from you or your family. First of all, they want to steal your identity. Throwing away an old computer into the trash leaves much personal information on the hard drive. This is a small round shaped disk that stores passwords and personal information such as financial records. Criminals go into chat rooms and have web sites where they sell stolen personal information. They even communicate with each other this way.They have scanners which make a copy of your PIN number which is your personal identification number from your debit or credit card. These numbers are also sold. They want your bank account information. They will sometimes purchase a small item to see if you have money in there. Then wipe out your account in the future. Later I will discuss some of the methods of protection. They give computers viruses and malicious software.They even steal customer files from businesses. Spam is a term for unwanted e-mail. E-mail is electronic mail and is generally used to communicate with loved ones and family members. Yahoo MSN hotmail and Google have excellent spam blockers, so use them. They filter out these unsolicited, unwanted  behind the letter. Do not open any e-mail, unless you know who sent it and why. Many e-mails contain viruses which can slow down your computer, hack into it and even ruin it. Hackers are persons who use remote computers to obtain your passwords and personal information and they are criminals invading your rights to privacy on the internet. Victims of these crimes are one in four using computers. Phishing is a term that means attempting to obtain personal information by fraud and is illegal. There are personal computers you use at home. Turn them off when not using them. It saves electricity and causes the pc to be less prone to criminal activity. Be wary of shared computers. never give out your passwords and your internet service provider will give you a permanent e-mail address. Do not use this one when on line and do not give it out or you may have to get another account if you can help it. Use and run at least two antispyware programs. Buy software from a reputable retailer and have it installed or do it yourself, so that spyware is blocked or removed. Firewalls stop hackers. Use one. There are shields that protect your computer also.If you are asked to call a telephone number, go to a public telephone to check out that number before you give out yours. Computers with a wireless router are more prone to criminals. Personal encrypted icons may be used to help. Using public computers places you at a greater risk. Criminals can take over thousands of computers and use them from stolen ones undetected. If your computer is infected, again it may be shut down or crashed completely and it is expensive to replace it. Criminals use social networking sites. They send e-mails that look official even saying they are from your work place and have you go to another site where your records are kept and stolen. Never buy from a spam site on the computer. Watch what you down load. Clean out temporary files and empty the recycle bin. When you receive your bank statement in the mail review it and check for correct information on purchases. If an error is found, call or go in to your bank. Change your PIN number often. Do not allow strangers to set up a web site for you. Sometimes criminals set up look alike mis-typed web addresses. Check out the web adress thoroughly. 

If you are a victim of a computer crime, report it to www.IC3.gov. This is the Federal Bureau of Investigation web address. Never give out your driver license number or social security number on line. Use one time purchase cards  or virtual account numbered one time cards to buy products or have them bill you. Even the Social Security Administration does not allow these numbers to be sent over computers so if you have the enjoyment  and privilege to use one, study and know exactly what you are doing and if not get an instructor who is trustworthy. Report or e-mail spam schemes to spam@uce.govas this site pursues and helps others not to become victims of internet or computer crime.