Attention Online Shoppers: Identity Theft and Computer Security Hazards at Risk of Increasing During Holiday Season

23 November 2005

For those who think shopping malls are scary places during the holiday season, the threats you can't see while shopping on the Internet can be far more prevalent. Online shopping is predicted to increase by 25% this holiday season, according to Forrester Research, including 2.5 million new households that will purchase online for the first time. As the number of online purchases increases, so do the risks of identity theft, spyware, viruses, worms and phishing. A recent survey by Consumer Reports showed that users have a one in three chance of suffering computer damage, financial loss or both because of computer viruses, spyware or hackers. Yet many home computer users fail to take steps to protect computers and their confidential information from these serious threats. "When you combine a significant increase in online shopping with the fact that 10 million personal identities were stolen last year, consumers face a significant threat to their security," said M. Fahim Siddiqui, Chief Executive Officer, Sereniti, Inc., a home and small office computer networking and security services provider. "Households without adequate computer protection are also at greater risk for crippling computer viruses, worms, hackers and spyware that steal their personal information and slow PC performance, and hackers, which are growing in number. In addition, there can be a greater level of unsupervised Internet use by children during the holidays, which puts not just computers, but families at risk. While these threats are present all year, they are magnified at this time of year, and can be exacerbated by friends and family members who may be visiting and using home computers in an unsafe way." Fahim explained that maintaining a secure home computer or computer network is the first step toward protecting yourself from online threats. For example, his company's Sereniti Smart Home Network Service is a subscription- based service that automatically updates and maintains current anti-virus, anti-spyware and pop-up blocker software, hardware and software firewalls and parental controls on all home computers, helping protect users against hacker intrusions that could result in identity theft and other computer threats. Sereniti is so confident in the integrity of its security solution, that a $25,000 identity theft insurance police underwritten by American International Group, Inc is included free with every subscription along with $1,000 in virus damage protection. The next step, said Fahim, is maintaining safe computing and online shopping practices. He offers the following tips: * Print copies of all online receipts to check against your credit card bill, to prevent overcharges and duplicate charges. Also print copies of any guarantees or warrantees for your files. * Businesses and financial institutions will rarely send an e-mail asking customers to reply directly with personal information. Users who receive an official-looking e-mail requesting such information should contact the business directly using an already established contact to ensure that it is legitimate. * When shopping online, the Trust-e symbol or a Better Business Bureau online seal are good indications that the vendor has technology in place to protect sensitive personal information. * If a website is secure or using encryption to protect customers' identities, it will begin with "https" instead of "http" in the browser address field, and will display a padlock icon on the lower right hand border of the browser window. Shoppers should make sure they are on a secure or encrypted site before conducting a transaction online. * Avoid using social security numbers online. See if the online vendor can use other information; if not, submit this information to trusted online vendors only. * Make sure the selected online vendor has a privacy policy, to ensure that customer information will not be sold after your transaction has taken place. "I really cannot stress enough my first point, to make sure that all home computers are protected with current updates of anti-spyware. Make sure that all home computers are protected with current updates of anti-spyware and anti-virus software, and make sure they operate behind an active firewall on the network," said Fahim. "The Internet is a wonderful resource for shoppers if it is used safely and securely. I know I'll be shopping online this holiday season." For additional information about the Sereniti Smart Home Network System, visit http://www.sereniti.com or phone 1-888-697-3736. About Sereniti, Inc. Sereniti Inc. makes wireless networking safe and easy, and provides remote technical support to the home. Its subscription-based service combines networking hardware, software and 24/7 technical support. Headquartered in Jersey City, NJ, Sereniti is a privately held technology company funded by leading venture capital firms Sevin Rosen and Rho Ventures. For more information on Sereniti's home network solutions and services, please visit http://www.sereniti.com. Contacts: David Zweifler/Rick Pendrick G.S. Schwartz & Co. Inc. (212) 725-4500 dzweifler@schwartz.com

Source: PR Newswire