Amazon Protects Against Fraud With Multi-Factor Authentication

Amazon.com has not only become the largest online bookstore, but is also a multinational ecommerce company. The company has been spreading its reach like branches of a river while supplying goods to countries across the world. Amazon.com started off by profiting from being an online book brokering system and later offering many products. Amazon.com grew its business through online associates in the form of users.

When scaling a company by having users contributing to both ends of business, buying and selling, fraudulent and malicious activities become inevitable. Amazon did not become one of the largest ecommerce websites in the world by lacking in security though. In 2009, Amazon started to offer multi-factor authentication to protect its users against fraud. They now offer free identification through any mobile device or computer which can run a Time-Based One-Time Password application. They also offer paid multi-factor authentication through a third party proprietary authentication token from Gemalto which is supposed to offer higher security.

Free Amazon Multi-Factor Authentication

If you are able to run a time-based one-time password application on your smart phone, tablet or computer you can utilize the free AWS MFA process. Using this method, when you log into your account with your traditional username and password, a token will be delivered to the application. The token is a one-time password that is generated from an out-of-band network separate from the user's login network which reduces the chances of man in the middle attacks and makes the authentication process more secure.

Gemalto Multi-Factor Authentication

To increase security even further, Amazon's users may pay for service through Gemalto which offers a keyfob device for authentication. Amazon states Gemalto's third part proprietary token device offers better security than the free process. After the RSA hard token breaches, many people are skeptical about the proprietary OTP token's security.

Secure Cloud Computing

Amazon, like many companies, is run on a cloud of servers which allows remote access of data to many users at once. Amazon.com and its cloud network offer financial information to its publishers so they can track their earnings. A publisher's user account could display earnings and options for payment to the user. This is one of the reasons why the need for authentication security using a multi-factor process was necessary.

One of the most secure forms of protection for any company storing data on the cloud is by using an out-of-band, multi-factor authentication process which Amazon has implemented. This is especially true for ecommerce websites which may be storing financial data and personal information belonging to thousands of users. This added layer of security could be the very reason why the multinational electronic commerce corporation has not been present on recent data breach lists.

2011 was the year of data breaches and more companies are becoming like Amazon and are starting to utilize cloud computing. Will these companies follow suit to provide better protection and privacy to their users that are accessing information on the cloud or will there be a bigger data breach list containing more corporations in 2012? Companies utilizing the cloud to store and access information need to add additional layers of security to protect the information and the best way for them to do that is to utilize multi factor authentication.

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Ways People Don't Know They Can Become Victims Of Identity Theft - Falling Victim to Identity Theft

It's very difficult today not to become a victim of Identity Theft. The chances of someone actually having their identity stolen is much larger than most people think. Everyday these crooks come up with new schemes to steal a person's identity, that it makes it nearly impossible to keep up with them. There are thousands of ways that an identity criminal can access your information. However, majority of our nation's population believes that a criminal has to physically steal your belongings in order to get your personal data. On the contrary, they have figured out several ways to take your personal information without having to lay a hand on any of your tangible items.

3 Ways To Have Your Information Stolen That Most Don't Know About

1. R.F.I.D- Also known as Radio Frequency Identification Technology. This is a new and up coming scheme that is starting to find it's way through the United States. The funny part of it all, is that you have probably used an RFID once or twice before without realizing it. This type of technology is found in most of our credit, debit, or bank cards. You simply wave the card in front of the device and it will pick up your information so that you would not have to input any pin numbers of any sort. Some banks, department stores, and drive through food places have these types of devices for their customers. Here's the kicker, crooks are able to purchase a wireless R.F.I.D. device for less than a $100 and carry it in the palm of their hand. All the identity thief has to do is simply pass by you like anyone else, and the R.F.I.D. will pick up all your card information without you ever noticing. This also goes for passports as well. It happens in less than 2 seconds.

2. Wireless Networks- Many places now offer the convenience of free Wi-Fi. The problem with connecting to a Wi-Fi network, is that there have been hundreds of cases where people believed they were connecting to a friendly network, but in fact were connecting to a fraudulent one. Thieves can set up a wireless network at the exact same spot you are at and use the exact same name as the place offering free Wi-Fi. Once connected to the fake Wi-Fi Network, the crooks can actually hack into your system and begin downloading your personal info that you may have on you computer. Also, they can see everything you are seeing. So if you are using your email or checking your online bank account, the crooks can also see your personal information. No matter if you have any type of security protection. Once you are sharing a wireless network that's not yours, your information is available to whom ever it does belong to.

3. Social Security Number Prediction- This by far is the most devious way identity crooks can obtain your Social Security number. You don't have to be an identity theft expert to know that that your Social Security is the number one tool for an identity thief to begin destroying all your credit. You S.S number actually stands for a code. These criminals have figured out what each number stands for, making it easy to predict a S.S number that has not yet been issued. or can randomly figure out one that has been issued. You will never know if you or your child's Social Security number is being used until your next credit report or when you try to open a credit account and you have less than bad credit.

In Conclusion...

Despite the ever growing rate of Identity Theft, there are many ways to prevent it from happening to you and your family. The most difficult part however, is knowing what you need to do to start protecting them. Practicing awareness is always the best solution. The more you become aware of Identity Theft and how it can affect you or your loved ones, the more cautious you will be about how you handle your personal information.

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Credit Report Monitoring - Keeping Consumers Safe From Identity Theft

Credit report monitoring has become an important aspect in the lives of many people today. It is regarded as an essential service to have to help ensure protection from identity thieves. These days, perpetrators of identity theft are seldom caught by the authorities. With technology giving them the ability to conduct their illegal business, they can continue conducting their unlawful acts and victimize more people each year. But this same technology can also be used to thwart these criminals. To protect oneself, he has to properly monitor his accounts through services designed to detect suspicious activities. By doing this, he can protect himself from the grave consequences of identity theft.

Getting adequate protection from ID theft is the best defense to stay safe. Through a service that provides monitoring, consumers can take advantage of effective procedures implemented to keep identities away from the hands of thieves. As of recently, a lot of people have already benefited from these services. These specific programs have been instrumental in monitoring the personal credit files of each customer. More importantly, the emergence of these services has protected people from attempts that were made to steal their identities. Some others have been given assistance after they have fallen victims to identity thieves while enrolled in the program. These show the benefits of having such services.

The advantages of getting a credit report monitoring service

Companies that offer protection for identities give consumers a number of benefits. In addition to getting the best service to monitor credit reports, anybody who subscribes to these services can look forward to obtaining certain benefits. One of them is a comprehensive credit report. One's credit report is a highly essential document. It is his ticket to getting services that give him the most privileges. When this is compromised, he loses the benefits attached to having good credit. Therefore, it is crucial that this document be monitored to ensure that there is no illegal movement going on that will put one's identity in trouble.

Another advantage is getting identity insurance. With a good program, a subscriber can take advantage of insurance that will provide assistance to its members who have become identity theft victims. This is usually through done through financial resources that will cover lost income, attorney fees, as well as other expenses related with the restoration of their identities. Along with this service must come identity reestablishment to help them get their credit ratings to good standing.

With an identity theft protection program that offers credit report monitoring service, one is able to access various important files. People who have subscribed to these programs are given easy accessibility to files that are important in monitoring their accounts. With some plans, a member is able to get full access to these documents. Through this, he can easily assess the activities that are going on, specifically the movements that have transpired for any given period. This allows easy detection for any unauthorized changes. Therefore, it is a wise move to have such a service as it works to help enhance security for one's identity.

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Why Do Thieves Commit Identity Theft

The thieves of the past have evolved over the years. This may be their way of keeping up with the changing world. They may also be evolving to be able to maximize the advantages that the world offers them.

In the past, thieves usually stole valuables such as money and jewellery. Nowadays, thieves steal for a lot of different reasons as the definition of valuable has changed considerably. The digital age which is marked by abundant influx of information has made data pertaining to people extremely valuable. You might be tempted to say that your name and birthday is unimportant, but a professional thief may have hundreds of uses of information as insignificant as someone's name and date of birth.

Why do thieves commit identity theft? There is a multitude of reasons, but some of the most important ones are listed below:

1. To cover up for another crime.

Identity thieves steal the identity of another individual in order to cover up for a crime that they have committed. There have been accounts of people being pinned down in a certain crime because of an identity thief's usage of their information. It happens mostly in cases of online crime, but there are cases where victims have been accused of a real-world crimes too.

2. To make unauthorized purchases.

Credit cards and credit card information are most usually stolen in order to make purchases. In the case of a stolen card, it will take time for the real owner to be informed that his or her card is being used for purchase, especially if the retail store is very lenient. Identity thieves can purchase all that they want until they reach the card's credit limit. After purchase, they usually simply toss your card away.

3. To extort money from your loved ones.

E-mail hacking is one of the earliest styles of identity theft. The thief will hack into your account, open your e-mail and then send a call for help type e-mail message to people your contact list. This ranges from them asking for monetary help because you are in a hospital, stranded in a foreign country without money or have been kidnapped. A lot of people who actually fall for this.

The reasons mentioned above are some of the most common and important reasons why a thief might be interested in stealing your identity. Knowing why thieves commit identity theft, and how they work helps you prepare and protect your identity.

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Credit Card Security: What to Do If Yours Is Stolen

We all use credit cards, and many of us use them daily. We use them at local businesses, online and over the phone. With credit cards being used in so many different places, thieves have many opportunities to steal information. One of the biggest fears of credit card users is that their accounts will be compromised.

In the event that your card is stolen, it is important to know exactly what to do to prevent significant financial loss. There are several things you can do both before your information becomes compromised, as well as after the fact.

Here are some tips to keep in mind.

1. Notify your credit card company:

Before the theft happens, be sure you have the phone number of your credit company and your account number in an easy-to-find place. Call them immediately upon learning that your information has been stolen, so that they can deactivate your card and prevent future purchases by the thief.

Often credit card companies will not hold you liable for fraudulent charges made on your card. By notifying them quickly, you not only are able to stop future purchases, but your credit company can document the date from which you are not liable for purchases made on your card.

Be sure to write down the names of each person you talk to when you call the company, and document the date and time that you called. It is also useful to have a short, written summary of your phone conversations with each person. This information may be crucial in the event you need to prove that you took immediate action, and that you were instructed by official representatives from your credit card company.

2. Call the credit-reporting agencies:

Alert these companies of the theft so that they can put a fraud-alert on your account. Do this as soon as you become aware that your account has been compromised. This prevents the thieves from opening any new accounts in your name. Here is the contact information for two of the major national credit-reporting agencies.

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 ( www.transunion.com ) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 ( www.equifax.com )

3. Document your credit status:

You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus every year. Take advantage of this if your credit card information falls into the wrong hands. If your credit card information is stolen, it is important to get documented proof of your current credit standing before any fraudulent activity is reported.

Keep in mind that even if you have already obtained a free copy this year, you may be able to get another one if there is a fraud alert on your account.

4. Call your local police

Let them know of the theft and file a police report.

5. Consider filing an identity-theft report:

This report is generally in two parts. You will probably complete part at your local police station and part at a consumer reporting agency.

Hopefully, your credit card information will never be compromised. But if you should become the victim of fraud, these tips will help you take control of the situation as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Learn The Cold Hard Facts Of Identity Theft Before It's Too Late   How Can an Identity Thief Obtain and Use Your Personal Digital Profile?   Your Personal Finances Are at Risk: Prevent Identity Theft   Stop Fraud in Five Easy Steps: The Ultimate Identity Theft Protection Guide   

Preventing Child Identity Theft

Identity theft doesn't just affect adults. Children are also at risk of having their identity stolen, and this type of crime is becoming more common. Children are good targets for identity theft because it may be years before the crime is discovered. Usually the child's parents discover that their child's identity has been stolen when they attempt to open a bank account or a college fund for their child or when their child begins receiving credit card applications in the mail or calls from collection agencies. They may find out about the crime when their child is denied a driver's license for unpaid traffic tickets or when the police come to their door to arrest them for writing bad checks. These events may happen years after the child's identity is stolen.

Lenders have no way of knowing the age of the person applying for credit. The information on the application is usually accepted with very little investigation into its accuracy. It is important that parents stay vigilant in protecting their children's identity. One way to prevent identity theft is by placing a freeze on their child's credit report. With a freeze in place lenders will not extend credit. The freeze can be lifted when the child becomes an adult and needs to establish a credit history. Parents should also check their child's credit report regularly.

If you discover your child's identity has been stolen, contact the credit agencies, dispute the reporting and ask the credit agencies to remove the notations from the child's credit report. Parents should also file a police report so that there is some record supporting the parent's assertion that their child's identity has been stolen. Request copies of all statements, loan applications and requests for extension of credit from the lenders and provide this information to the police so that they can use it in their investigation.

It can be a very difficult process to clean up a person's credit history after identity theft and it requires very little effort to prevent most cases of identity theft from occurring. Shred documents containing your child's personal information rather than throwing them away. Don't carry your child's social security cards and other documents containing personal information with you. These documents should be kept at home in a secure place or in a safe deposit box. Finally, be on the lookout for signs that there is a problem, such as receiving credit card applications in your child's name in the mail.

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