Digital Security Expert Offers Tips to Prevent Identity Theft

AUSTIN, TX, Aug 13, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — Did you know that only 18% of identity theft can be detected through credit reports? How do individuals ensure protection from digital identity theft?

Isaac Chapa is VP of Technology and Operations at CSIdentity, an Austin-based company offering a comprehensive suite of business and personal security solutions targeting all aspects of identity theft. Chapa explains that even consumers who are careful on the Internet or don’t use it at all are still at risk of identity theft — because almost every company they do business with holds information related to their identity in online databases. That inherently puts their information at risk. According to Chapa, there are a few things that consumers can do that will help protect them from identity theft — or at least to mitigate its consequences. They include:

--  Enrolling in a program that monitors the use of your identity such as
    CSIdentity's CyberAgent or LifeLock's services
--  Resetting online passwords frequently
--  Don't share information like your social security number online, even
    on trusted social networks
--  Using an antivirus program on your computer; and
--  Being careful to visit only trusted sites on the web

The problem isn’t getting any better, says Chapa, in spite of everything that we’re doing with vigilance and technology. Identity theft is a growth industry and is likely to continue trending upward. And while it’s almost never completely avoidable, it’s absolutely possible to mitigate its negative consequences.

Details and Statistics around JustAskGemalto’s Interview with CSIdentity’s Isaac Chapa

--  Isaac Chapa has a vast knowledge of billing systems, end-user
    applications, IT project management, vendor relationships and network
    and daily operations. Prior to joining CSIdentity, Isaac spent five
    years at Grande Communications in various roles.
--  JustAskGemalto's interview with Isaac Chapa can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/JustAskGemalto#p/u/0/NLb5-ItiXl8--  Additional videos in JustAskGemalto's interview series are also
    available; view the interview with Kyle Flaherty here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/JustAskGemalto#p/u/0/Yvuzjl2sAN4

For more information on JustAskGemalto, visit Facebook and Twitter.

Relevant Links

--  Fighting Back Against Identity Theft; The Federal Trade Commission
--  Identity Theft and Identity Fraud; US Department of Justice
--  ID Theft Security; Robert Siciliano, IDTheftSecurity.com
About www.JustAskGemalto.com We  use electronic devices on a frequent, if not daily basis -- our PC or Mac,  BlackBerry, iPhone, cell phone, epassport, credit card, and employee badge. They  bring us freedom and convenience and we depend on these devices to carry and  exchange our personal information. Along with this freedom comes the  responsibility to safeguard our identity, personal data and financial  transactions. www.JustAskGemalto.com answers consumer questions about how to better enjoy the conveniences of the  digital world and how to secure one's digital identity and information while  surfing, buying, traveling and communicating.

National Cyber Security Alliance Launches Web Portal for 2010 National Cyber Security Awareness Month

Free Educational and Promotional Materials Designed to Help Digital Citizens Prepare for National Cyber Security Awareness Month That Kicks Off in October

WASHINGTON, July 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), a public-private partnership focused on educating a digital citizenry to stay safe and secure online, today launched its National Cyber Security Awareness Month Web portal (LINK: http://www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam) with information on events, activities, promotions and educational materials to be used in preparation for the online safety month to be held in October.

Anyone – family, employers, consumers, teachers, and students – interested in online safety is encouraged to access the portal, and all materials are free to use.

NCSA, along with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, sponsors National Cyber Security Awareness Month, now in its seventh year. The three organizations work together to help consumers, schools, businesses and government agencies stay safe online, with October being a special time for public awareness and education.

“National Cyber Security Awareness Month is a time where we can come together as a nation to talk openly about the importance of online safety and security,” said NCSA Executive Director Michael Kaiser. “There is so much for us all to learn and do both as digital citizens and as a nation where the Internet is a backbone of our critical infrastructure. October is a chance for us to look at what we’ve accomplished over the past year, kick off new conversations and educate one another on the best practices for keeping safe online – for us, our community and our country.”

The National Cyber Security Awareness Month Web portal hosts an abundance of information including tip sheets, ideas for how to get involved, and additional awareness resources to help organizations and individuals participate in the public awareness and education campaign.

The portal offers printable materials for schools, businesses, government agencies, law enforcement and consumers as well as electronic materials for organizations to incorporate on their own websites. All NCSA materials are free and there is no cost for endorsements or event listings. Of the many resources on the site you will find: