Personal Security and Identity Theft Expert Says New Research into Online Threats Underscores the Need for Widespread Consumer Education

Results from a recent survey of UK consumers’ attitudes toward identity theft have shown that many underestimate the probability of the crime occurring. A joint Harvard University–UC Berkeley study, meanwhile, has demonstrated just how susceptible even a sophisticated Web user can be to a phishing attack, often the precursor to identity theft. Robert Siciliano, personal security and identity theft expert and president of IDTheftSecurity.com, says education campaigns are the key to raising awareness.

“When even the savviest of Web users can’t recognize a crafty phishing attack, imagine how often average computer users might fall prey to online identity theft schemes,” said Siciliano, who presents workshops to Fortune 500 companies nationwide. “We need to undertake a massive, Apollo project–scale education effort to turn the tide.”

Author of "The Safety Minute: 01" and an upcoming book, "Identity Theft Pandemic: Curing the Identity Theft Virus," Siciliano provides consumer education solutions to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. Siciliano has appeared on CNBC’s “On the Money” multiple times this year to discuss identity theft.

Recently reported research suggested that only one third of UK consumers know that their risk of falling prey to identity theft is one in 1,000. British firm MyCallcredit’s survey also revealed that nearly 25 percent of respondents drastically underestimated their risk by as much as 15 times less than their actual risk.

Meanwhile, findings from a study titled “Why Phishing Works” conducted by researchers at Harvard University and UC Berkeley suggested that phishers fool even sophisticated Web users. “Good” (i.e., polished) phishing sites were effective, in fact, at fooling 90 percent of the study’s participants.

The authors of “Why Phishing Works” then collaborated to isolate the factors behind the efficacy of phishing attacks. They concluded that users’ lack of knowledge of—or an inattention to—common security indicators helped to make phishing attacks effective. In addition, “typejacking,” a tactic that replaces the key characters of a legitimate organization’s domain name with similar key characters (e.g., the use of the Arabic numeral “1” in place of the lowercase letter “l”), and other visually deceiving practices also seemed to be effective at duping users.

“Is it any wonder why we need to educate consumers about the dangers they face?” Siciliano asked. “The task before us is monumental. Identity theft and the computer threats that facilitate this crime have been prominent in the public consciousness for years now. And yet the levels of awareness and savvy needed to thwart scammers are sorely lacking.”

“Fortunately, stopping identity thieves before they even have a chance to commit their crime is pretty straightforward,” Siciliano concluded. “Comprehensive education for consumers will do it. The challenge resides in summoning the will to invest in that education, a worthy investment of time and energy.”

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Identity theft affects us all, which is why Robert Siciliano, president of IDTheftSecurity.com, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. A leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, “The Suze Orman Show,” “ABC News with Sam Donaldson,” “The Montel Williams Show,” “Maury Povich,” “Sally Jesse Raphael,” and “The Howard Stern Show.”

The media may reach Siciliano at 1 (888) SICILIANO (742-4542). Visit his Web site, www.IDTheftSecurity.com, or his blog, www.IDTheftSecurity.blogspot.com. Siciliano’s full contact information follows:

Robert Siciliano
Personal Security Expert
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
E-MAIL: Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
http://www.idtheftsecurity.com/

The media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly. They may also contact:

Brent W. Skinner, President
STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
E-MAIL: BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.biz
http://www.STETrevisions.biz