Those keen to compare antivirus software from the main computer security companies should bear in mind other types of products and services out in the marketplace which are designed to protect people online.

But when you do take the time to compare antivirus software products, think sometimes outside of the box.

Take a look at the new service from credit checkers Experian. Called ProtectMyID it has just been launched and is specifically designed to protect consumers from the ever growing threat of ID fraud.

It works by allowing people to use an advanced and comprehensive online service to keep tabs on where their personal information is being stored and read to secure credit.

Experian are worried that identity theft is a growing problem and too few people are properly aware of the dangers they face when shopping on the internet and on the high-street, or banking online. The company’s own figures revealed that the number of identity theft cases with which they were asked to help by their customers, had jumped a massive 20%.

ProtectMyID is based on credit report monitoring which alerts a user – by text, or email – if their name, or other personal information, is attached to a new credit application. Should the user be affected, Experian step in to help and offer guidance.

Peter Turner, the managing director of Experian Interactive, said:
“Identity fraud is one of the fastest growing crimes in the UK and our research shows that organised criminal fraudsters are not solely focusing on the wealthy but are now turning their attention to the wider population.

“There are increasingly higher volumes of less easily detectable crimes being committed against the more vulnerable groups, including the retired and young, low-income families. ProtectMyID is a service aimed to provide that safety net of protection so customers can rest assured that we are keeping an eye on their personal details, even when they can’t.”

In 2009, the Experian research report on identity theft revealed that even though the problem of such fraud was being publicised, it was in fact taking longer for people to realise they were a victim. This suggested to Experian that the people behind the fraud were getting better at covering their tracks, which made it more difficult for the victim, as well as the financial services sector in general.

It can take an alarming 416 days to discover that you have been a victim of fraud; that’s 17 more days than was the case in 2008.

As to what the cost of such fraud was, the average financial loss per person in 2009 was £1,100, with one particular customer reporting a loss of nearly £60,000.

So for those ready to compare antivirus software, don’t forget the other tools out there.

Guest Article by Neil Camp

Despite all the warnings regarding bogus emails and how every computer user should ensure that their system is protected by up-to-date anti-virus software, phishing is on the increase, as is online fraud.

Figures from The UK Cards Association, which represents UK credit card and debit card providers, show that phishing attacks rose to 51,000 reported incidents, up 16%, and online fraud ticked up to £60 million, up 14%.

This was against an overall backdrop of far better overall fraud figures. The level of fraud on debit and credit cards dropped by £170 million to £440.3 million, a fall of more than 25%. Counterfeit card fraud dropped like a stone (over half) and the old fashioned cheque suffered less, being defrauded out of £29.8 million compared to £41.9 million, a drop of 29%.

But the industry is worried that despite the overall progress made, phishing continues to rise and online fraud seems similarly unabated.

Phishing is a particularly odious crime which relies on bogus emails with false ‘calls to action’ and are very clever at getting people to either transfer money, or to reveal their personal details, which then often leads to an attack on their bank accounts.

And this despite the fact that people are continually warned not to be gullible on the receipt of such emails. There are simple rules to remember, such as there is no such thing as a free lunch (if someone offers you millions of pounds via an email, then it’s a dead certainty that its too good to be true) and never, ever give out any personal details (and especially not usernames, or passwords) in an email. Remember, any credible organisation will not ask for such information. Confine all such emails to the bin.

Things should improve though say computer security industry experts, because anti-phishing software is now helping people to spot the fabricated emails.

The unfortunate rise in online banking losses are evidence that many still do not run an up-to-date and properly conceived anti-virus and internet security software suite. And as the financial institutions continue to protect themselves with very expensive and sophisticated security systems, the hackers only other target is the consumers themselves.

Experts warn that surfing, emailing and downloading files requires a constantly updating computer security suite installed on the computer. Without this, it is only a matter of time before malware can penetrate a computer and do its evil deeds.

Guest Article by Neil Camp