The new hack attack putting your privacy at risk

Wilson Luna

A stolen identity can cause big financial losses – but with a password on your computer you can be fairly confident you’re not at risk, right? Wrong. There’s a big gap in the defences of many Aussie homes and hackers are just waiting to exploit it.

You’d think that changing your PINs regularly, keeping an eye on your smartphone, having a password on your computer and keeping your anti-virus software up to date would keep you safe, wouldn’t you? Well … maybe not. Unfortunately, there’s a whole new way for hackers to attack, and even with all these measures in place there could be big gap in your defences that cyber-criminals are able to exploit.

There are a lot of disturbing stories out there that prove how sophisticated cybercrime has become, with high-tech criminals now able to hack into ATMs and bank accounts. But for many Australians, the biggest risk of identity theft, fraud and cybercrime could be lurking very close to home. Unsecured wireless networks are posing a new risk for their owners, with hackers able to use non-password protected wi-fi for fraudulent activity.  According to internet security experts, unsecured wi-fi can open any device connected to the network up for attack, with hackers able to turn computers and other devices into ‘robots’ to send spam, access personal details, and even attack other systems.

There are so many different things you need to do to protect yourself from identity theft that it can be easy to be lulled into a false sense of security when you feel you’ve got the basics covered. People have passwords on accounts and devices, but forget about securing their network as well. But since it’s possible to connect to some wi-fi networks from as much as 100 metres away from the modem – and that you’ve got no way of knowing whether you’re being attacked until it’s too late – it’s definitely time we considered securing wi-fi as one of the ‘basics’.

From a financial perspective, the risks are huge. A hack on a system could lead to loss of personal data, such as bank statements and credit card numbers. And the potential for damage is enormous: losses from cybercrime and scams reported to the ACCC totalled $63 million in 2010 and in 2009 around 4.4 million Aussies were affected by identity crime, with 1.2 million having their bank account illegally accessed.

In basic terms, not having your network secure is like leaving your car in the city with the doors locked and the windows down and expecting it not to get stolen. If you want to make sure your personal information is as secure as possible, you need to lock up your network as carefully as you would your car!

The best way to protect yourself is to use a ‘layer’ system to increase your defences – by maintaining tight security across all devices and accounts rather than relying on a single layer of protection to keep thieves at bay. And the easiest place to start is with these simple tips:

Up your security
The Stay Smart Online website gives simple instructions for securing wi-fi networks, and recommends turning on automatic security updates for your software and setting it to scan regularly. And always remember to check security settings on websites before handing over personal information and protect credit card exposure by having a low-limit card that you only use for online shopping. Better yet, make it debit card and only sweep funds into it when you know you need them.

Get back to basics
Having passwords on all your devices isn’t much good if they’re easy to guess! Hackers are skilled at retrieving bits of personal information, and if they know simple facts about you it’s easy to crack more obvious passwords. Choose strong passwords that use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols and change them at least every three months, using different passwords for different accounts, computers and devices. From a non-electronic point, shred all paperwork containing personal details, lock your letterbox and keep a close eye on your accounts.

Stop sharing
Social networking profiles can be an identity theft bonanza – while they’re a great way to communicate with friends and family, they can also provide enough info for someone to pretend they’re you. Be cautious about sharing information on social networking sites, and adjust your privacy settings to the highest level – it won’t impact your ability to use sites, but it will make it easier to protect yourself.

A stolen identity can become a serious problem – the losses can be huge and proving that someone else has been accessing your account or taking out loans can be tough. That’s why it’s important to take every precaution with your information. So secure those networks and leave identity thieves out in the cold!

Author's Biography

Wilson Luna is an author, wealth adviser and founder of Your Family Your Money. Your Family Your Money’s goal is to simplify traditionally complex financial strategies, demystify financial jargon and debunk common financial myths, becoming every family’s first stop for financial advice, information and inspiration.