Issues Associated With Access to Online Services

(1) The internet has become one of the most relied on resources in the modern age; in fact, more than 3 billion people have access to it (2). Many people today have fully entrusted the services on the internet and have allowed access to private information that they wouldn't share with anyone else. While some of the services on the internet may be convenient, there are serious threats online that take your information and use it against you.
Reliability of Passwords
Network Security
Identity Theft
Permanence of Information Released Onto the Internet
Questions and Answers

Identity Theft is the deliberate use of someone else's personal information for illegal purposes (8). It has become an increasingly significant problem over the years as more and more people are reporting different cases of online fraud. In fact, In 2009, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CACF) received identity fraud reports from 11,095 Canadian victims, totaling a loss of more than 10 million dollars (8).

There are many reasons why people may want your identity and personal information:

  • Access to your bank accounts
  • Open new bank accounts
  • Transfer bank balances
  • Apply for loans, credit cards and other goods and services
  • Make purchases
  • Hide their criminal acitivities/frame you for their illegalities
  • Obtain passports and recieve government benefits
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Identity hackers look for information about you like:
  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Social Insurance Numbers
  • Full Address
  • Usernames and Passwords
  • Driver's lisence number
  • Personal identification numbers
  • Credit card information
  • Bank account numbers
  • Signature
  • Passport number
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In order to prevent hacking and identity theft it is important that you:

  • Create complex passwords (more on this in Reliability of Passwords).
  • Use password managers - Password manager software is designed to auto-fill your credentials automatically into websites, thus allowing you to create complex passwords without having to remember them.
  • Never give out your passwords and other personal information to anyone, no matter who they are or claim to be - Phishing is a method used by hackers to induce someone into giving personal information by sending emails purporting to be from a reputable company.
  • Read privacy policies thoroughly when using services that requires access to your private information - All companies that take your personal information require a privacy policy in there terms of service.
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