Online Identity Theft

With the proliferation of the online media there has been an increase in the rate of crimes across the globe. As the very name suggests online identity theft is a word, which generally associate with any kind identity hacking that is quite rampant in this age of growing information technology. Cyber crimes, online identity theft and similar such terms are not at all alien to us these days. Many of us often encounter such problems in our day-to-day life. In the age of information boom the world is really divided between information haves and have-nots. Therefore, quite obviously there has been a rise in cyber crimes.

Types of online identity theft -

Credit card theft
Credit card theft is perhaps the most common type of online identity theft that has become quite rampant these days. With the spurt in the number of ATM counters all across the country it is no longer a difficult task to steal personal information. Hidden cameras, that often remain hidden behind bank ATM counters, make this process all the more difficult.

Mail hacking
Mail hacking is yet another kind of online identity theft problem, which has assumed serious proportions these days. Extracting personal information by hacking personal mail ids is something very usual especially in corporate houses. Many companies are therefore trying to devise ways and means by which to counter this problem. But, still mail hacking continues to be a rising menace that has become a cause of concern globally. Even people who use personal home computers often complain such problems.

Ways to encounter online identity theft problems -

There are several clever means, which can be practiced to counter the problem of online identity theft easily -

- Never store your personal identity and password on your laptop and personal computer to avoid mail hacking.

- Keep changing your identity and password regularly to avoid similar problems in future.

- Do not forget to sign out properly from the computer when using a public computer in a cyber café or accessing computer from some other place.

- To avoid the problem of credit card theft always check whether there is any hidden camera at the ATM you are using. Always contact the concerned bank authority if you sense something fishy.

- Always keep a note of your last transaction ID when using ATM to check fraudulent activities.

- Try and minimize the use of credit cards for shopping purposes if it can be avoided. Often fraudulent activities are also conducted inside shopping malls, a fact attested by recent research reports conducted in the U.S..

Technology has brought an amazing range of changes in the lifestyle of urban denizens. But, it has brought in its wake several other vices one of them being online identity theft. As someone said rightly we live in the best of times as well as the worst of times, it is full of facilities and threats. So, exercising a bit of caution in our day-to-day transactions may go a long way in countering the problem of cyber crimes to a great extent.