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Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Now hackers can find out where you live
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There have been computer criminals almost from the moment that computers were created. But there’s a striking difference these days - some of the schemes are so sophisticated that, even when a home user does everything right, there’s great risk.
One scheme that caught my eye recently is the use of software that tells the crook just where you’re located. Knowing where you are is a real advantage since it makes raiding bank accounts and using personal information for identity theft a lot easier.
I’ll link to the story here but - in brief - a tiny program uses Google maps to pinpoint your location.
As far as I know this particular scam is only taking place in Australia now. But, obviously, it would be easy for it to spread.
The good news is that - as often is true - the scammer relies on an e-mail that requires you to click on a link before the software can be planted in your computer.
And since other schemes make it easy to steal address book information, a good rule is to avoid clicking on any links in any e-mails unless you are gut certain about the sender. It just isn’t worth the risk. Since anti-virus and spyware software isn’t likely to stop a scam like this you need to be suspicious of e-mails that include clickable links.
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