MyCRA Specialist Credit Repair Lawyers

Tag: keyloggers

  • Gamers: cheating could cost you your credit rating

    If you or someone in your family is a gamer, then you would be familiar with gamershacks. Hacks and cheats are designed to give a gamer help with a game by allowing them to download useable software for assistance. But security company, AVG says downloading hacks could open up a can of worms not only for the gamer, but for anyone else that uses the computer, because you have probably also just downloaded Malware. We look at how this occurs, what Malware does and what the risks are for your personal information and  your credit file.

    By Graham Doessel, Founder and CEO of MyCRA Credit Rating Repair and www.fixmybadcredit.com.au

    Antivirus vendor AVG has issued a warning to gamers following research which suggests that more than 90 per cent of ‘hacks’ available online contain some form of malware or malicious code.

    Hacks and cheats are commonly incorporated into games; however, the sheer popularity of online multiplayer games has made gamers prime targets for cybercriminals.

    “The research suggests more than 90 per cent of hacks, cracks, patches, cheats, key generators, trainers and other downloadable game tools contain malware or executable code.

    These hacks are commonly delivered via unregulated torrents and file sharing sites, an easy vector for malware.

    Malware inadvertently downloaded with hacks can give attackers easy access to your online gaming account as well as other sensitive information such as online banking details, personal data and passwords for other online services,” Stay Smart Online recently advised.

    They advise gamers to only download patches from the game’s official site, and to avoid any unofficial software. They also recommend:

    Always be suspicious of any files downloaded from torrents and file sharing websites.

    Ensure you always have up-to-date security software installed on your computer.

    Use unique account logon and password information for each of your online gaming accounts (and every other online service you use).

    What is ‘malware’?

    Malware— is short for ‘malicious software’. It is a type of malicious code or program that is used for monitoring and collecting your personal information (spyware) or disrupting or damaging your computer (viruses and worms). Stay Smart Online explains in more detail:

    Spyware

    The term spyware is typically used to refer to programs that collect various types of personal information or that interfere with control of your computer in other ways, such as installing additional software or redirecting web browser activity.

    Examples of spyware include:

    Keyloggers  

    A keylogger is a program that logs every keystroke you make and then sends that information, including things like passwords, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers, to whomever is spying on you.

    Trojans

    A Trojan may damage your system and it may also install a ‘backdoor’ through which to send your personal information to another computer.

    Viruses and worms

    Viruses and worms typically self-replicate and can hijack your system. These types of malware can then be used to send out spam or perform other malicious activities and you may not even know it.  Both can use up essential system resources, which may lead to your computer freezing or crashing.  Viruses and worms often use shared files and email address books to spread to other computers.

    malwareMalware and your credit file

    If fraudsters can get their hands on your personal information they can steal passwords to not only the gaming site, but also to the bank or credit accounts of anyone who uses that computer.

    They can also create a patchwork quilt of information that can allow them to eventually have enough on you to request duplicate identity documents (identity theft), and apply for credit in your name (identity fraud).

    Running up credit all over town, perhaps buying and selling goods in your name, or in some cases mortgaging properties –you may have a stack of credit defaults against your name by the end of their ordeal – and sometimes no proof it wasn’t you that didn’t initiate the credit in the first place.

    Recovery can be slow, and in some cases you may have no way to prove you weren’t responsible for the debt – with fraudsters leaving no trail and the actual identity theft happening long before the fraud took place.

    Who might be most at risk?

    Gamers often aren’t worried about risks to their personal information as they are often young people who consider they don’t have much to lose, when in fact they do. Firstly, if Malware is downloaded – it puts the entire family at risk. But secondly, a young person is just as vulnerable as anyone to exploitation. There have been reports of crooks harvesting the personal information of young people and storing it until the victim turn 18. Australian Police have issued warnings on the issue of data warehousing in relation to Facebook in the past, but fraudsters won’t be fussy about where they get it from. It all has a lucrative price on the ‘black market’ of personal information.

    For more help with teaching kids and young people about online risks, go to the Stay Smart Online website http://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/kids_and_teens.

    Visit our main website www.mycra.com.au for more information on identity theft and your credit file.

    Image 1: Arvind Balaraman/ www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

    Image 2: Salvatore Vuono/ www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

  • They’re ba-ack again! Fraudsters change tactics on Microsoft virus scam

    If you own a computer – or a telephone for that matter – you may be vulnerable to computer-related scam attempts. The old Microsoft virus scam may have been shut down, but a new one has popped up in its place. We look at the current computer cold call scam warning, what you should do if you are called by these scammers, and what the ramifications of falling for this scam could be for your financial identity and credit file.

    By Graham Doessel, Founder and CEO of MyCRA Credit Rating Repairs and www.fixmybadcredit.com.au.

    Remember the scam going around where fraudsters were claiming to be from Microsoft and were cold calling in Australia to offer “technical support” to remotely assist in clearing viruses off home computers?

    First detected in 2010, the ‘Microsoft Phone Scam’ was clever, and caught out thousands. Callers knew the victim’s name and address. These fake security engineers were claiming to see problems with the victim’s computer and asking whether the victim had noticed their computer becoming slower recently.

    They went on to offer to take over the machine and fix the problems. The scammers were using legitimate remote access software, such as LogMeIn, TeamView and Ammyy.

    Scammers then requested money for this ‘service.’ On top of that, it put the victim’s personal and banking details at risk. It also gave the scammers remote access to their computer, which can potentially lead to infected computers and pilfering of personal information via keyloggers.

    Gizmodo’s recent article ‘Global Operation Sees Infamous ‘Microsoft’ Scammers Finally Taken Down [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Updated]’ explained the extent of the success of the scam prior to its takedown:

    Three years on from the first report into the ACMA about the Microsoft scammers, over 10,000 complaints have been recorded. The ACMA says that the worst point came two years ago, when every second complaint to the agency was about the Microsoft scammers. This was in 2011 — a year when scam activity had doubled on the previous period. 52 per cent of the 83,000 scam complaints the ACMA received in 2011 presented as phone scams. All in all, in that 12 months, Australians lost a total of $85.6 million to various scammers.

    Gizmodo reported international efforts from Australia, Canada and the United States brought down U.S. based scammers only a couple of weeks ago. The scammers became the first individuals to be caught in connection with the scam. They’ve had their assets frozen and they are presumably now awaiting a hearing over fraud charges.

    Not to be dismayed, scammers have obviously thought the gig was too lucrative to dismantle yet – and they have changed tactics – hitting those original victims with yet another scam. As if they hadn’t suffered enough!

    On Friday Stay Smart Online issued a warning that computer-related scams were doing the rounds again. It may be important for those who may have been targeted last time.

    “Following international efforts by agencies to close down the infamous ‘Microsoft imposter scam’, reported earlier this month, examples of scammers responding with new approaches have been noted.

    This includes scammers making follow up calls to previous targets of the original scam, offering apologies and refunds in response to the closing down of (fake) support they provided previously.

    Scammers may also claim to be from a foreign government, foreign law enforcement agency or bank, and offer to recover the money you initially lost, in return for a fee,” SSO notes in its warning.

    Your personal information in the wrong hands can lead to identity theft which threatens the health of your credit rating. Fraudsters can duplicate your identity and take out credit in your name – leaving you with debts you didn’t initiate and bad credit from outstanding accounts in your name.

    Think recovery would be easy? Think again!

    Clearing bad credit history is always difficult for individuals to undertake. Most enquiries will result in Creditors telling you that bad credit is there to stay for the term of the listing (usually 5 years). The only thing you can do to change that is to prove there is an inconsistency by demonstrating that the listing was put there unlawfully. An identity theft victim’s task is then to prove that they did not initiate the credit in the first place, but proof is not always easy to obtain – especially when you have no idea of exactly how the fraud occurred. Many people don’t know they are victims until they go to obtain credit and are refused because their credit file is riddled with defaults.

    So what should you do if you get a phone call from one of these guys? SSO gives this advice:

    Suspect: Don’t accept anything at face value. Don’t make a payment over the phone or online without first checking the details.

    Think: Recognise the signs. If you’re being pressured to act, disclose personal details or send money to a stranger, it’s almost certainly a scam. (Microsoft never makes unsolicited phone calls about its products.)

    Report: Act to report the scam. Tell SCAMwatch and help stop scammers in their tracks.

    Ignore: Never respond. Hang up or delete the SMS or email after reporting.

    If you have had your credit file destroyed by identity theft, and need help recovering your good name – contact a professional Credit Repair Advisor on 1300 667 218 or visit the MyCRA Credit Rating Repairs website www.mycra.com.au. Professional credit repair can offer you the best chance of being able to clear bad history from identity theft for good.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]