Archive for the ‘ID theft damages’ Category

Identity Theft Protection Expert and One You Security: More Evidence Surfaces to Indicate that Organizations Hemorrhage Data at an Alarming Rate Worldwide

Monday, October 27th, 2008

(SARASOTA, Fla. - Oct. 27, 2008 - One You Security) New research has revealed that nearly three of every four organizations in Australia have experienced some form of data breach in the past five years. Because data breaches afflict organizations worldwide, said Robert Siciliano, widely televised and quoted identity theft protection expert and chief security analyst for One You Security, LLC, problems with data security will not respond favorably to national solutions. Siciliano therefore encouraged consumers to seek protection of their own. One You Security, he noted, continually searches the Internet for illegal use of its subscribers’ identifying information and does everything it can to render their Social Security numbers useless to thieves who would otherwise use them to commit financial fraud.

"Consumers’ last line of defense is their best line of defense against financial fraudsters," said Siciliano. "Worldwide, data breaches embolden and empower thieves, who count on these events’ frequency numbing and lulling consumers into complacency. But consumers have an option, One You, which keeps a watchful eye on their financial identities for them even as their data goes missing from organization after organization on a nearly daily basis."

One You Security is a service that transforms Social Security numbers into something functionally useless to financial fraudsters. Additionally, One You PowerScan scours more than 150 million websites, 80 million blogs, 90,000 message boards and chat rooms, and billions of spam e-mails for potentially illegal use of its subscribers’ identifying information. These subscribers to One You Security also receive newsletters and special alerts from Siciliano. Through these, they get the latest information on data breaches and learn more about identity theft prevention. Chief security analyst for One You Security and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano regularly discusses data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s "Today Show," FOX News Network and elsewhere.

Nearly 80 percent of 156 major Australian organizations had experienced some form of data breach during the five years immediately preceding Symantec’s survey of them. Additionally, just shy of 40 percent had experienced between six and 20 known data breaches during the same time period, according to the computer security provider’s Data Loss Prevention Survey. Customer records had gone missing at the highest rate (55 percent), followed by intellectual property (43 percent), credit card details (21 percent) and financial information (20 percent).

"There is no way for consumers to keep up with and protect themselves, by themselves, from the deluge of data breaches affecting organizations worldwide," said Chris Harris, president and CEO of One You Security. "Consumers need help to safeguard their financial data from financial fraudsters — they need a service to do this for them on a continual basis. Fortunately, One You does just that, in effect rendering their Social Security numbers useless to thieves."

Consumers who choose One You Security do so in part because the company strives to transform their Social Security numbers into meaningless strings of digits of no use to thieves. The firm backs all its offerings with a 100 percent service guarantee.

The YouTube video below shows Siciliano on FOX News Network, where he explains how the ubiquity of Social Security numbers as universal identifiers helps thieves online and off-line. A collection of videos at VideoJug features Siciliano sharing advice on how consumers can protect themselves from identity theft and fraud.


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About One You Security, LLC

Sarasota, Fla.-based One You Security’s mission is to eliminate the threat and consequences of identity theft. For just $10 per month, anyone can sign up for One You Security’s identity theft protection service, a proactive, preventative approach whereby the company activates and manages its customers’ fraud alerts with major credit bureaus. Subscribers also receive full access to ongoing education from identity theft protection expert Robert Siciliano, chief security analyst for One You Security, which backs up its promise to protect clients’ financial identities with a 100 percent service guarantee. To sign up for One You Security, dial 1-800-434-2010.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com, chief security analyst for One You Security, and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, makes it his mission to educate Fortune 500 companies and their clients on the dangers of identity theft. Author of "The Safety Minute: 01" and leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft protection. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others. For more information, visit Siciliano’s Web site, blog, and YouTube page.

The media are encouraged to get in touch with any of the following individuals:

Chris Harris
President & CEO of One You Security
PHONE: 941-342-0500 (x231)
chris@oneyou.com
http://www.oneyou.com

Robert Siciliano
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
Chief Security Analyst for One You Security
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
http://www.idtheftsecurity.com

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
http://www.STETrevisions.com
http://brentskinner.blogspot.com

Identity Theft Protection Expert and One You Security: State Laws Addressing Data Security Improve, but Pale in Comparison to Measures Consumers Can Take Themselves

Friday, October 24th, 2008

(SARASOTA, Fla. - Oct. 24, 2008 - One You Security) The Wall Street Journal recently reported on preventative measures that state legislatures nationwide are taking to stem the tide of data loss. While encouraging, these developments are little more than patchwork compared to the measures consumers can take to protect their own data themselves, said Robert Siciliano, widely televised and quoted identity theft protection expert and chief security analyst for One You Security, LLC. One You Security continually searches the Internet for illegal use of its subscribers’ identifying information and does everything it can to render their Social Security numbers useless to thieves who would otherwise use them to commit financial fraud.

"For a long time, consumers and experts have clamored for better legislation not only to combat the rate of data loss from security breaches, but also to protect the victims whose data goes missing when such events occur," said Siciliano. "Better safeguards as a result of legislation in these areas are a welcome development. But consumers need to understand that the amount of legislation needed is in fact huge, and the incremental steps taken by state legislatures fall far short of protecting the consumer in a comprehensive way. The best line of defense is with consumers themselves; by enrolling in a service like One You, they can do much more than government can to protect their financial identity from fraudsters."

One You Security is a service that transforms Social Security numbers into something functionally useless to financial fraudsters. Additionally, One You PowerScan scours more than 150 million websites, 80 million blogs, 90,000 message boards and chat rooms, and billions of spam e-mails for potentially illegal use of its subscribers’ identifying information. These subscribers to One You Security also receive newsletters and special alerts from Siciliano. Through these, they get the latest information on data breaches and learn more about identity theft prevention. Chief security analyst for One You Security and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano regularly discusses data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s "Today Show," FOX News Network and elsewhere.

Several states are implementing new legislation governing how businesses of all kinds secure customer data, reported The Wall Street Journal on Oct. 16. Nevada, for instance, is requiring "all businesses there to encrypt personally-identifiable customer data, including names and credit-card numbers, that are transmitted electronically," according to the article, which goes on to note other states that are following suit or enacting other legislative measures.

"Any improvements are welcome," said Chris Harris, president and CEO of One You Security. "But new laws just can’t safeguard the millions and millions of unique data records already ‘out in the wild,’ floating around cyberspace — for the taking by thieves. Unfortunately, we just don’t know how much of consumers’ data is out there. But that doesn’t mean we can’t fight for them, and effectively. One You gives consumers the power to protect their financial identities against these unknowns."

Consumers who choose One You Security do so in part because the company strives to transform their Social Security numbers into meaningless strings of digits of no use to thieves. The firm backs all its offerings with a 100 percent service guarantee.

The YouTube video below shows Siciliano on FOX News Network, where he explains how the ubiquity of Social Security numbers as universal identifiers helps thieves online and off-line. A collection of videos at VideoJug features Siciliano sharing advice on how consumers can protect themselves from identity theft and fraud.


###

About One You Security, LLC

Sarasota, Fla.-based One You Security’s mission is to eliminate the threat and consequences of identity theft. For just $10 per month, anyone can sign up for One You Security’s identity theft protection service, a proactive, preventative approach whereby the company activates and manages its customers’ fraud alerts with major credit bureaus. Subscribers also receive full access to ongoing education from identity theft protection expert Robert Siciliano, chief security analyst for One You Security, which backs up its promise to protect clients’ financial identities with a 100 percent service guarantee. To sign up for One You Security, dial 1-800-434-2010.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com, chief security analyst for One You Security, and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, makes it his mission to educate Fortune 500 companies and their clients on the dangers of identity theft. Author of "The Safety Minute: 01" and leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft protection. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others. For more information, visit Siciliano’s Web site, blog, and YouTube page.

The media are encouraged to get in touch with any of the following individuals:

Chris Harris
President & CEO of One You Security
PHONE: 941-342-0500 (x231)
chris@oneyou.com
http://www.oneyou.com

Robert Siciliano
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
Chief Security Analyst for One You Security
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
http://www.idtheftsecurity.com

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
http://www.STETrevisions.com
http://brentskinner.blogspot.com

Identity Theft Expert and MyLaptopGPS Tout 0.4 Percent Theft Rate of Clients’ Laptop Tracking-Equipped Computers—Thirty-two Times below the Average

Friday, October 17th, 2008

(BOSTON, Mass. - Oct. 17, 2008 - IDTheftSecurity.com) MyLaptopGPS today announced that the rate of theft of mobile computers equipped with the company’s laptop tracking and data recovery technology is 32 times lower than the average. Less than one-half of 1 percent, MyLaptopGPS-equipped laptop computers’ theft rate makes inattention to laptop security inexcusable, said widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert Robert Siciliano, who noted that the August 2008 issue of Inc. Magazine mentioned MyLaptopGPS as developer of viable laptop security products.

"On its website, MyLaptopGPS notes that mobile computers, on average, are lost to thieves every 12 seconds," said Siciliano. "This is reason enough for anyone to subscribe to the company’s service, which significantly improves the odds in favor of the laptop computer’s owner. MyLaptopGPS’ technology allows an owner to track his or her stolen computer and remotely retrieve and delete sensitive data from it. In all likelihood, however, that machine won’t ever be stolen in the first place; the company’s service itself has proven to be a strong crime deterrent."

CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients through presentations that explore security solutions for businesses and individuals. Author of "The Safety Minute: 01" and a longtime identity theft speaker, he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, NBC’s "Today Show," FOX News Network, and elsewhere.

Use of MyLaptopGPS’ laptop tracking technology results in a 0.4 percent rate of theft, 32 times lower than the 12 percent average. Even as the company touted this, news of the loss to criminals of mobile computers bereft of security technology designed to retrieve them and protect the data they store continued unabated:

  • In September, a laptop computer belonging to the UK offices of Deloitte went missing to thieves. On it were data records for approximately 100,000 pensionsers, reported SecurityPortal.com on Oct. 12. The employee allegedly responsible for losing the machine waited until mid-October to inform the company of the incident, SecurityPortal.com noted.
  • On Oct. 7, InternetNews.com reported on the theft of a laptop computer from the Independence, Mo. Victory Office of the Missouri Republican Party. A spokesperson for John McCain’s presidential campaign, quoted in the article, said the laptop stored "a great deal of strategic information."

"Laptop theft is an avoidable crime," said MyLaptopGPS’ chief technology officer, Dan Yost, who invited readers to visit the MyLaptopGPS blog, where they may discuss laptop theft and loss. "All an organization needs to do is furnish its fleet of mobile computing equipment with the proper anti-theft technology. Peace of mind follows. For any owner of laptop computers that necessarily store sensitive data, relying on the record of MyLaptopGPS’ laptop tracking technology is a safe bet."

MyLaptopGPS maintains the Realtime Estimated Damage Index (REDI™), a running tally of highly publicized laptop and desktop computer thefts and losses. The REDI also assesses those losses’ associated costs by drawing on estimates from the FBI and other sources that reflect the likelihood that identity theft and other crimes will occur whenever a computer is misplaced or stolen. At its website, MyLaptopGPS also keeps a log of these high-profile laptop thefts.

MyLaptopGPS’ anti-laptop theft technology combines Internet-based GPS tracking — more effective than other forms of GPS for tracking and retrieving stolen laptops — with other functionalities to secure mobile computing devices. A user launches MyLaptopGPS’ features remotely, protecting data even while the machine is in a criminal’s hands. Once connected to the Internet, the software silently retrieves, and then deletes, files from machines as it tracks the stolen or missing hardware — at once returning the data to its rightful owner and removing it from the lost computer.

Additionally, MyLaptopGPS offers SafeRegistry™, a comprehensive system for inventorying entire fleets of mobile computers, as well as a full line of highly renowned SafeTags™, which are police-traceable property tags designed to secure iPods™, cell phones, BlackBerry™ devices, and other mobile property.

Readers may download a demo of MyLaptopGPS. A white paper is also available.

"Our laptop fleet was certainly worth protecting," said Jim Sullivan, the network, systems and security administrator for FastForms, Inc. "We had procedures in place to help secure the machines, but we realized that we needed some key, additional layers of security, such as covert tracking and remote-controlled data recovery and destruction. MyLaptopGPS’ solution is very easy to use, and we are quite satisfied. We would recommend MyLaptopGPS to any business seeking a simple solution to secure their laptops and data."

The YouTube video below shows Siciliano on FOX News Network, where he discussed this year’s data security breach at Hannaford Bros. and provided consumers affected by the theft with the tips they needed to avoid paying for fraudulent charges to their bank accounts and credit accounts. To learn more about identity theft, a major concern for anyone who’s lost a laptop computer to thieves, readers may go to video of Siciliano at VideoJug.


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About MyLaptopGPS

Since 1984, Tri-8, Inc. (DBA MyLaptopGPS.com) has specialized in complete system integration. From real-time electronic payment processing software to renowned mid-market ERP implementations, the executive team at MyLaptopGPS has been serving leading enterprises and implementing world-class data systems that simply work. With MyLaptopGPS™, Tri-8, Inc. brings a level of expertise, dedication, knowledge and service that is unmatched. MyLaptopGPS™’s rock-solid performance, security, and reliability flow directly from the company’s commitment to top-notch software products and services for almost 25 years.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, makes it his mission to educate Fortune 500 companies and their clients. A leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others. For more information, visit Siciliano’s Web site, blog, and YouTube page.

The media are encouraged to get in touch with any of the following individuals:

John Dunivan
MyLaptopGPS Media Relations
PHONE: (405) 747-6654 (direct line)
jd@MyLaptopGPS.com
www.MyLaptopGPS.com

Robert Siciliano, Personal Security Expert
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
www.idtheftsecurity.com

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
http://www.STETrevisions.com
http://www.brentskinner.blogspot.com

Identity Theft Protection Expert and One You Security: Amid More Data Breaches, Research Reveals Consumers’ Ire and Simplicity of Security Measures that Firms Neglect

Monday, October 6th, 2008

(SARASOTA, Fla. - Oct. 6, 2008 - One You Security) As news of data breach at yet another large bank emerged, new research suggested that a large majority of breaches would be avoidable if basic security measures were in place. While the finding is encouraging, Robert Siciliano, widely televised and quoted identity theft protection expert and chief security analyst for One You Security, LLC, doubted that organizations would in fact implement such measures any time soon and pointed to additional research showing that consumers may have reached the limits of their tolerance for these data breach events. Siciliano further noted that they can enroll in One You Security, a service that transforms Social Security numbers into something functionally useless to financial fraudsters and scours 150 million websites — including 80 millions blogs, as well as 90,000 message boards and chat rooms — for any potentially illegal use of their identifying information.

"Consumers have reached the breaking point," said Siciliano. "They’re fed up with lax, easily correctable business practices that lead to massive data breaches. At the same time, they have little recourse. This is why they absolutely need a service like One You’s; it’s their last line of defense against financial fraudsters, after all. Fortunately, the defense One You provides is robust."

Subscribers to One You Security receive newsletters and special alerts from Siciliano. Through these, they get the latest information on data breaches and learn more about identity theft prevention. Chief security analyst for One You Security and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano regularly discusses data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s "Today Show," FOX News Network and elsewhere.

A laptop computer belonging to sixth-largest Canadian banking institution National Bank fell into the hands of thieves who last week apparently lifted the machine from the office the organization’s headquarters, revealed a Sept. 24thGlobe and Mail report, which went on to note that the stolen equipment stored information on most of the bank’s mortgage customers.

This and data breaches like it have incensed consumers, according to Siciliano, who pointed to research from Symantec indicating that four out of U.K. consumers do not trust companies with personal data. An even higher number, 89 percent of respondents, indicated that reckless or repeated data breaches should be a criminal matter and punishable by imprisonment, with four out of five people saying it should be a "one strike and you’re out" rule when it comes to data loss. Juxtaposed with this was additional research from the Verizon Business RISK Team, "which studied 500 security breaches that occurred between 2004 and 2007," reported nextgov on Sept. 22, and found "87 percent of all security breaches could have been avoided ‘if reasonable security controls had been in place at the time of the incident.’"

"Consumers are justifiably frustrated," said Chris Harris, president and CEO of One You Security. "Firms that have their data by necessity apparently do little to protect it. And what’s the consumer to do when that information goes missing to thieves? The only thing they can do, really, is to enroll in an identity theft protection service. Yes, the situation is already dire, but it would be even more so were it not for the availability of One You."

Consumers who choose One You Security do so in part because the company strives to transform their Social Security numbers into meaningless strings of digits of no use to thieves. The firm backs all its offerings with a 100 percent service guarantee.

The YouTube video below shows Siciliano on FOX News Network, where he explains how the ubiquity of Social Security numbers as universal identifiers helps thieves online and off-line. A collection of videos at VideoJug features Siciliano sharing advice on how consumers can protect themselves from identity theft and fraud.


###

About One You Security, LLC

Sarasota, Fla.-based One You Security’s mission is to eliminate the threat and consequences of identity theft. For just $10 per month, anyone can sign up for One You Security’s identity theft protection service, a proactive, preventative approach whereby the company activates and manages its customers’ fraud alerts with major credit bureaus. Subscribers also receive full access to ongoing education from identity theft protection expert Robert Siciliano, chief security analyst for One You Security, which backs up its promise to protect clients’ financial identities with a 100 percent service guarantee. To sign up for One You Security, dial 1-800-434-2010.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com, chief security analyst for One You Security, and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, makes it his mission to educate Fortune 500 companies and their clients on the dangers of identity theft. Author of "The Safety Minute: 01" and leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft protection. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others. For more information, visit Siciliano’s Web site, blog, and YouTube page.

The media are encouraged to get in touch with any of the following individuals:

Chris Harris
President & CEO of One You Security
PHONE: 941-342-0500 (x231)
chris@oneyou.com
http://www.oneyou.com

Robert Siciliano
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
Chief Security Analyst for One You Security
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
http://www.idtheftsecurity.com

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
http://www.STETrevisions.com
http://brentskinner.blogspot.com

Identity Theft Protection Expert and One You Security: Millions of Mortgage Records in Unauthorized Hands Leave Consumers in Need of a Bulwark against Financial Fraudsters

Thursday, September 25th, 2008

(SARASOTA, Fla. - Sept. 21, 2008 - One You Security) Last week, reports revealed that the alleged wrongdoings of an employee at Countrywide Home Loans placed more than 2 million unique data records in the hands of parties unauthorized to view the information. The news supported research that links employee negligence to a large number of data breaches, noted Robert Siciliano, widely televised and quoted identity theft protection expert and chief security analyst for One You Security, LLC. In light of the circumstances, he encouraged consumers to enroll in One You Security, a service that transforms Social Security numbers into something functionally useless to financial fraudsters and scours 150 million websites every day, each of them 50 pages deep, for any potentially illegal use of their identifying information.

"Unscrupulous employees are often the weak link in data security," said Siciliano. "As the industry has witnessed time and time again, while firms may — or may not — implement vigorous protocols to serve as a bulwark against data breaches whose culprits originate from outside the organization, internal decision trees and security measures are frequently inadequate or nonexistent. The circumstances create fertile ground for white collar crime that sees consumers’ sensitive, identifying information falling into the hands of thieves. Because they exercise perhaps the least control of all parties over this information, consumers need a service such as One You as the last yet robust line of defense protecting their data from financial fraudsters."

Subscribers to One You Security receive newsletters and special alerts from Siciliano. Through these, they get the latest information on data breaches and learn more about identity theft prevention. Chief security analyst for One You Security and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano regularly discusses data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s "Today Show," FOX News Network and elsewhere.

More than 45,000 Massachusetts residents found themselves possibly affected by the loss of more than 2 million unique data records from Countrywide Home Loans, a Sept. 18th report in the Boston Globe revealed. Social Security numbers and mortgage loan numbers were among the information lost in the breach, allegedly the handiwork of a former employee who, the firm contended, downloaded and illegally sold to third parties over the course of two years’ time.

The data breach at Countrywide was in keeping with a pattern, noted Siciliano. He pointed to a recent survey jointly conducted by the Ponemon Institute and Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company, which found 50 percent of its participants saying the number one root cause of data breach incidents is employee negligence.

"These kinds of data breaches occur largely because of policies that consumers have no control over," said Chris Harris, president and CEO of One You Security. "But consumers deserve control over their own information, and they deserve their own line of defense against rampant financial fraud. One You is that last line of a defense — a robust line of defense that creates peace of mind for consumers, whose information goes missing by the millions every year as a result of inadequate security policies at the organizations entrusted with their sensitive, identifying data."

Consumers who choose One You Security do so in part because the company strives to transform their Social Security numbers into meaningless strings of digits of no use to thieves. The firm backs all its offerings with a 100 percent service guarantee.

YouTube video below shows Siciliano on FOX News Network, where he explains how the ubiquity of Social Security numbers as universal identifiers helps thieves online and off-line. A collection of videos at VideoJug features Siciliano sharing advice on how consumers can protect themselves from identity theft and fraud.


###

About One You Security, LLC

Sarasota, Fla.-based One You Security’s mission is to eliminate the threat and consequences of identity theft. For just $10 per month, anyone can sign up for One You Security’s identity theft protection service, a proactive, preventative approach whereby the company activates and manages its customers’ fraud alerts with major credit bureaus. Subscribers also receive full access to ongoing education from identity theft protection expert Robert Siciliano, chief security analyst for One You Security, which backs up its promise to protect clients’ financial identities with a 100 percent service guarantee. To sign up for One You Security, dial 1-800-434-2010.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com, chief security analyst for One You Security, and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, makes it his mission to educate Fortune 500 companies and their clients on the dangers of identity theft. Author of "The Safety Minute: 01" and leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft protection. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others. For more information, visit Siciliano’s Web site, blog, and YouTube page.

The media are encouraged to get in touch with any of the following individuals:

Chris Harris
President & CEO of One You Security
PHONE: 941-342-0500 (x231)
chris@oneyou.com
http://www.oneyou.com

Robert Siciliano
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
Chief Security Analyst for One You Security
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
http://www.idtheftsecurity.com

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
http://www.STETrevisions.com
http://brentskinner.blogspot.com

Identity Theft Expert and MyLaptopGPS: Massive Loss of Mobile Computers from U.S. Government Agency Underscores Need for Laptop Tracking Technology

Monday, September 22nd, 2008

(BOSTON, Mass. - Sept. 22, 2008 - IDTheftSecurity.com) News reports last week indicated that a U.S. government agency associated with law enforcement lost weapons and hundreds of laptop computers during the five-year period of 2002 to 2007. But developments such as this would be much less of a cause for concern if organizations took the proper, affordable steps to secure their fleets of mobile computing equipment, said widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert Robert Siciliano. Firms that wish to avoid laptop theft and mitigate the ramifications of laptop loss should, according to Siciliano, consider laptop tracking and data recovery firm MyLaptopGPS, mentioned in the August 2008 issue of Inc. Magazine.

"Laptop theft and loss is one of the most preventable security breaches," said Siciliano. "Smart organizations understand this. They secure their fleets of mobile computing gear by keeping accurate records of all machines in inventory and by equipping everything not only with tracking technology, but also with the functionality that allows IT personnel to remotely delete and retrieve what resides on the machine when and if it ever goes missing. By taking measures that in any way fall short of these, organizations invite disaster. News reports every week prove that laptop thefts and losses of catastrophic scope happen all the time."

CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients through presentations that explore security solutions for businesses and individuals. Author of "The Safety Minute: 01" and a longtime identity theft speaker, he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, NBC’s "Today Show," FOX News Network, and elsewhere.

On Sept. 18, The Washington Post reported news that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had lost 418 laptop computers and 76 weapons between 2002 and 2007. "Two weapons were subsequently used to commit crimes," according to The Washington Post. Furthermore, 12 percent of the laptops were reported as stolen, revealed a Sept. 17thCNN.com article covering the same news. These numbers were the findings of an audit conducted by the U.S. Justice Department, whose own report, released on Sept. 17, on the matter was "scathing" as The Washington Post described it.

"If an organization loses that many laptop computers, the associated audit’s language had better be scathing," said MyLaptopGPS’ chief technology officer, Dan Yost, who invited readers to visit the MyLaptopGPS blog, where they may discuss laptop theft and loss. "Laptop theft and loss is particularly frustrating. The technology already exists not only to render these events rare, but also to render their aftermath almost inconsequential. Simple tracking and remote data deletion capabilities are easy and inexpensive to implement. With them, large-scale laptop loss would happen much less often, and the attendant concerns following the rare occurrence would be minimal."

MyLaptopGPS maintains the Realtime Estimated Damage Index (REDI™), a running tally of highly publicized laptop and desktop computer thefts and losses. The REDI also assesses those losses’ associated costs by drawing on estimates from the FBI and other sources that reflect the likelihood that identity theft and other crimes will occur whenever a computer is misplaced or stolen. At its website, MyLaptopGPS also keeps a log of these high-profile laptop thefts.

MyLaptopGPS’ anti-laptop theft technology combines Internet-based GPS tracking — more effective than other forms of GPS for tracking and retrieving stolen laptops — with other functionalities to secure mobile computing devices. A user launches MyLaptopGPS’ features remotely, protecting data even while the machine is in a criminal’s hands. Once connected to the Internet, the software silently retrieves, and then deletes, files from machines as it tracks the stolen or missing hardware — at once returning the data to its rightful owner and removing it from the lost computer.

Additionally, MyLaptopGPS offers SafeRegistry™, a comprehensive system for inventorying entire fleets of mobile computers, as well as a full line of highly renowned SafeTags™, which are police-traceable property tags designed to secure iPods™, cell phones, BlackBerry™ devices, and other mobile property.

Readers may download a demo of MyLaptopGPS. A white paper is also available.

"Our laptop fleet was certainly worth protecting," said Jim Sullivan, the network, systems and security administrator for FastForms, Inc. "We had procedures in place to help secure the machines, but we realized that we needed some key, additional layers of security, such as covert tracking and remote-controlled data recovery and destruction. MyLaptopGPS’ solution is very easy to use, and we are quite satisfied. We would recommend MyLaptopGPS to any business seeking a simple solution to secure their laptops and data."

YouTube video below shows Siciliano on FOX News Network, where he discussed this year’s data security breach at Hannaford Bros. and provided consumers affected by the theft with the tips they needed to avoid paying for fraudulent charges to their bank accounts and credit accounts. To learn more about identity theft, a major concern for anyone who’s lost a laptop computer to thieves, readers may go to video of Siciliano at VideoJug.


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About MyLaptopGPS

Since 1984, Tri-8, Inc. (DBA MyLaptopGPS.com) has specialized in complete system integration. From real-time electronic payment processing software to renowned mid-market ERP implementations, the executive team at MyLaptopGPS has been serving leading enterprises and implementing world-class data systems that simply work. With MyLaptopGPS™, Tri-8, Inc. brings a level of expertise, dedication, knowledge and service that is unmatched. MyLaptopGPS™’s rock-solid performance, security, and reliability flow directly from the company’s commitment to top-notch software products and services for almost 25 years.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, 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 "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others. For more information, visit Siciliano’s Web site, blog, and YouTube page.

The media are encouraged to get in touch with any of the following individuals:

John Dunivan
MyLaptopGPS Media Relations
PHONE: (405) 747-6654 (direct line)
jd@MyLaptopGPS.com
www.MyLaptopGPS.com

Robert Siciliano, Personal Security Expert
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
www.idtheftsecurity.com

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
http://www.STETrevisions.com
http://www.brentskinner.blogspot.com

CEO “Identity Theft Expert”?? ID compromised 90 times

Sunday, May 25th, 2008

The press has recently taken issue with CEO of an identity theft prevention company who has given his SSN out for all the world to see. His identity theft protection service is designed to protect the consumer from identity theft.

Because he used the marketing gimmick to drive sales, it has resulted in a never ending battle where identity thieves and others are using his ID to prove a point, that giving out your SSN is never a good idea.

His identity was compromised financially early on and since has been compromised REPORTED 87-90 TIMES.

It is impossible not to give your SSN in a society that needs it for most accounts, insurances etc. Plastering it on a billboard is a great idea when you dont care if your identity is stolen in order to sell a product.

However for the rest of us I’d not recommend it.

The idea is to make the SSN useless by investing in a service that keeps you in-tune, on top of, what is happening regarding your identity by wrapping a security system around your identity.

Stay tuned. Updates on this issue to come.

Identity Theft Expert: MyLaptopGPS Announces "Realtime Estimated Damage Index" (REDI) to Show Cost of Laptop Thefts in 2008 Surpassing $300 Million

Saturday, February 23rd, 2008

(BOSTON, Mass. - Feb. 21, 2008 - IDTheftSecurity.com) MyLaptopGPS™, provider of Internet-based GPS tracking software for stolen mobile computing equipment, today announced the Realtime Estimated Damage Index (REDI), visible at the company’s website. The REDI, a continually updating, cumulative total of high-profile laptop and desktop computer thefts and losses, has estimated the damage, or cost, of computer thefts in 2008 already to be $309,318,519. This number reflects the likelihood that identity theft and other crimes will occur when a laptop is lost, said widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert Robert Siciliano.

"The cost of laptop computer theft far exceeds the amount of money it takes to replace the lost hardware and software," said Siciliano. "Many laptop computers store sensitive data that gives thieves who know what to do with it the ability to assume the computer owner’s identity and commit fraud in the victim’s name. This is where the real damage from laptop computer theft lies, and the cost is significant."

CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients in workshops that explore consumer education solutions for security issues. A longtime identity theft speaker and author of "The Safety Minute: 01," he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s "Today Show," FOX News, and elsewhere.

In 2002, a Computer Security Institute/FBI Computer Crime & Security Survey calculated the actual financial loss of a laptop theft to be $89,000. A 2003 Annual Computer Crime and Security Survey placed the average loss even higher, at $250,000. These numbers reflect a combination of factors such as legal follow-up and identity theft, either of which can lead to financial catastrophe. Drawing on the more conservative of these baselines, the REDI’s damage estimation for just two months’ worth of laptop thefts in 2008 dwarfed the cost of the $9.95 monthly subscription to MyLaptopGPS’s software, which also retrieves and deletes sensitive data from machines while they’re missing.

MyLaptopGPS combines Internet-based GPS tracking — which, for tracking and retrieving stolen laptops, is more effective than other forms of GPS — with other functionalities to secure mobile computing devices. Users launch MyLaptopGPS’ features remotely, protecting data even while the machine is in a criminal’s hands. Once connected to the Internet, the software silently retrieves, and then deletes, files from machines as it tracks the stolen or missing hardware — at once returning the data to its rightful owner and removing it from the lost computer.

"Being a Resources Management Company with traveling employees," said Eric Ruis of Proximity W.L.L., "we needed a rock solid system that didn’t merely protect our company assets and data, but could also recover our assets and data if necessary. We needed multiple layers of security for our laptops, and that brought us to MyLaptopGPS. Their service has bent over backward to meet our needs and now we rest comfortably, knowing we have six full layers of effective protection and the ability to monitor and protect our laptops — from anywhere."

MyLaptopGPS also offers SafeRegistry™, a comprehensive system for inventorying entire fleets of mobile computers, as well as a full line of highly renowned SafeTags™, which are police-traceable property tags designed to secure iPods, cell phones, BlackBerry devices, and other mobile property.

A downloadable demo of MyLaptopGPS is available. The October 2007 issue of Bank Fraud & IT Security Report, a newsletter published only in hard copy, ran "The Seven Layers of Laptop Security," an article by Siciliano and Yost. A white paper adaptation of that article is available from MyLaptopGPS.

"The theft rate of unsecured laptops is twelve and a half percent," said Dan Yost, chief technology officer at MyLaptopGPS, "whereas the theft rate of a MyLaptopGPS-equipped mobile computing device is less than half a percentage point. The product not only acts as a strong deterrent; the prospects are also strong for finding a MyLaptopGPS-secured machine."

Readers may view YouTube video below of "NBC 7 Chicago" footage featuring Yost delivering comments for a televised news report that covered the April 2007 theft of two laptops that stored 40,000 Chicago Public School teachers’ Social Security numbers.


According to USA Today, theft of personal data more than tripled in 2007. Below, readers may view video of Siciliano discussing this news on the new "FOX Business" network. To learn more about identity theft, a major concern for anyone who’s lost a laptop computer to thieves, readers may go to video of Siciliano at VideoJug.


###

About MyLaptopGPS

Since 1984, Tri-8, Inc. (DBA MyLaptopGPS.com) has specialized in complete system integration. From real-time electronic payment processing software to renowned mid-market ERP implementations, the executive team at MyLaptopGPS has been serving leading enterprises and implementing world-class data systems that simply work. With MyLaptopGPS™, Tri-8, Inc. brings a level of expertise, dedication, knowledge and service that is unmatched. MyLaptopGPS™’s rock-solid performance, security, and reliability flow directly from the company’s commitment to top-notch software products and services for almost 25 years.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report’s editorial board, 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 "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." The Privacy Learning Institute features him on its Website. Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others.

For more information, visit Siciliano’s Web site, blog, and YouTube page.

The media are encouraged to get in touch with any of the following individuals:

John Dunivan
MyLaptopGPS Media Relations
PHONE: (405) 747-6654 (direct line)
jd@MyLaptopGPS.com
www.MyLaptopGPS.com

Robert Siciliano, Personal Security Expert
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
www.idtheftsecurity.com

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.biz
www.STETrevisions.biz