Showing posts with label online dating sites. Show all posts
Showing posts with label online dating sites. Show all posts
Monday, December 9, 2013
Hackers New Favorite Target: Online Dating Sites











Many people are wondering what´s going on with hackers and online dating sites lately. It suddenly seems like things are shifting, and banks or government websites are no longer interesting hacking targets. Attacking online dating sites is the new trend. And, there´s a reason for that.

First of all, we would have to start by saying that people´s personal data is nowadays more valuable than credit card numbers. In the black market personal information like addresses, phone numbers, family names, etc are valuable. Why is that? Criminal networks have a big database of potential scamming victims, and many of them have something in common: they are users of online dating. It´s more profitable to lure someone into giving their money voluntarily –because they´re in love- than trying to steal money out of their bank account all at once. Internet criminals with experience can scam thousands of dollars each week, and the victims send them the cash voluntarily!

The more a fraudster knows about his victim, the easier it will be to manipulate him/her.
The other reason is that this information can also be used to create fake profiles, using real people´s information. Identity theft. It´s harder to discover that someone is lying to you when you can check online that this person really exists, that he lives where he says he does, and has a daughter with that name. Sound tricky?  It is.  Thanks to people who share too much online, criminals can now take a real profile of a real person, and assume a real identity.  In Asia, for example it often takes a Philippines private investigator to uncover the truth, and by that time, it could be too late.

These 2  facts have boosted the prices that criminals are willing to pay for the personal data of people, and of course this has led to hackers attacking the online dating sites. What is worse is that the security of most of these dating websites is very poor. Banks invest a lot of money in making secure websites, because they know they are a target and there will always be hackers trying to access people´s accounts. But, online dating sites don´t feel the same about security. Since they don´t deal with money, their concept of safety is posting an article on avoiding scams, but there is little or no security regarding users' data.  Some websites like Match.com are being sued for such security issues.

What can you do as a user? Don´t share too much information online.  Be skeptical. Try creating profiles that don´t say much about your personal information, and before giving out anything personal, make sure you verify the company, individual or website is legitimate and real.

A. Hathaway
© 2013 A Hathaway



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Saturday, August 25, 2012
Dating Background Checks Gaining in Popularity














As internet scams become more and more prevalent around the world, internet users become more educated about the risks.  There are many articles and warnings out there, but for some reason, the criminals keep finding victims, and the crime is actually growing.  Among internet crime types, romance scams are still the leading cause of identity theft and financial loss online.  The scams have a major financial impact for citizens and businesses in countries around the world, but the hardest hit are the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia, where English speaking targets are plenty.  Scammers in developing countries are targeting users on social networking and online dating sites.  To avoid detection, criminals continue to develop and change their tactics.

With more lonely hearts and eligible partners joining match-making and online dating sites, as well as social networking sites around the globe, there are now hundreds of millions of potential partners online.  It is tempting and there are certainly honest and rewarding relationships to be found!  The potential reward is real, as is the risk.  Social networking and online dating sites simply have no way to screen all of their users.  That isn’t their business, after all.  It is up to the users to carefully screen their new contacts and romantic partners online.  Be skeptical and be very cautious about sharing information online.  Remember the more a criminal knows about you, the more at risk you are for financial loss, identity theft, and even physical hard.  Share less when possible.

In the developing countries around the world, more internet users are turning to reputable private investigation companies to verify their online partners. Dating background checks  are now a valuable risk management tool available to internet users to verify their new partner or online romance.  Investigators can screen your case for fraud, verify the subject’s information such as passport or documentation, verify education and employment; check address and public records, search criminal and civil marriage records, and more.  In short, professional investigators can verify if your new online romance is who he or she claims to be.  Experts caution that such a service is best applied when done early in the relationship, rather than later when it’s too late.

Is the risk from romance scams really worth worrying about?  Doesn’t it take a fool?  What is the worst that could possible happen?  There have been multiple cases of suicide that have resulted from devastated victims left ruined after a romance scam.  Bank accounts can be drained, hearts can be broken, identities stolen.  In short, an honest visit to an online dating site can lead in utter ruin if you become the victim of a romance scam.  The risk and crime is serious, and should be taken seriously.  Screen your contacts carefully, and verify to be safe online.

Best of luck,

A Hathaway
© 2012 A Hathaway


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