| Aussies lose ID in trash
AUSTRALIANS should lock their mailboxes and shred their mail to avoid identity theft, federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has told a conference on identity fraud. Mr Ruddock told the Sydney meeting the problem of identity fraud had grown exponentially because of modern communications. But snail mail and hardcopy documents still presented a problem, he said, and Australians should think of investing in a shredder, and perhaps a lock on their letterbox. ''Identity theft occurred predominantly when crooks got access to an individual's financial records, making protection of hardcopy documents essential,'' Mr Ruddock said. "It's very important to look at how you handle your personal paperwork, what you put in your waste bins," he said.
Protecting your identity is a smart thing to do
D ecember is Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month. According to the February 2007 Identity Fraud Survey Report issued by Javelin Strategy & Research, identity theft affected approximately 8.4 million people. The estimated loss to business and individual victims was $43.9 billion. Often, ID theft victims don't even realize their identity was stolen. They may find out when a creditor or collection agency calls or a credit card is declined. To help consumers protect their identity, a number of credit monitoring and insurance protection programs are available. But, are these products right for you? Most experts recommend that you obtain a copy of your credit report at least once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) to ensure accuracy and to look for signs of ID theft.
Cyber-crime 'worse than burglary'
Identity theft has become one of the most feared crimes in the UK, according to a study of more than 1,400 regular internet users, outranking burglary, assault and robbery. Around one in three respondents to the survey indicated that they had been the victim of some form of cyber-theft, including phishing emails, credit card fraud and unauthorised bank transfers. The research, commissioned by internet security software maker AVG, revealed that individual financial loss ranged from a few pounds to several thousand pounds. Some 90 per cent of respondents had threat protection software installed on their PCs, but a third remained unconvinced that these were adequate measures to protect them from cyber-crime. Liverpool topped the list of UK cities most afraid of cyber-theft with 93 per cent highlighting their concern.
Remarks of Cybersecurity and Communications Assistant Secretary Greg ...
Washington, D.C. Thank you Ron for that warm introduction. On behalf of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, I would like to welcome you all to this important summit. It is wonderful to see such a tremendous turnout for this event. And thank you Chairman Majoras for your inspiring remarks. Not only do I admire the FTC�s efforts to educate all Americans on the important issue of identity theft, I appreciate the proactive measures your agency has taken to enhance the security of its own networks. DHS and FTC are working together to address this formidable cyber security challenge. As the lead Federal Government agencies for consumer protection and infrastructure protection, we have learned that individual and enterprise cyber security are really two sides of the same coin.
UK government guilty of DPA breach
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has been found guilty of breaking data protection laws after a security lapse on a visa application website. The breach occurred on a site set up by the FCO and the Home Office to handle visa applications from overseas. An investigation by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) found that a flaw in the site meant that users could see as many as 50,000 other applicants' details when they logged in. Mick Gorrill, assistant commissioner at the ICO, said: "Organisations have a duty under the Data Protection Act to keep our personal information secure. "If organisations fail to take this responsibility seriously they leave individuals vulnerable to identity theft and risk losing individuals' confidence and trust.
WA attorney general McKenna launches re-election bid
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna launched his 2008 re-election campaign on Wednesday, touting his first-term work fighting identity theft and methamphetamine abuse. McKenna, a former King County councilman, was first elected attorney general in 2004. He is one of three Republicans to hold statewide elected office, along with Secretary of State Sam Reed and Public Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland. In an interview, McKenna said his travels around the state working on consumer protection, crime and open government issues have helped him connect with Washingtonians. "I just need to do my job every day, and that's the most important thing I can do to persuade the voters to give me another four years," he said. McKenna filed paperwork to seek a second term shortly after winning the attorney general's seat in 2004.
Olmert Promises 'Serious' Peace Effort
The latest construction project is in Har Homa, a new Jewish neighborhood built in east Jerusalem. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said last week the new apartments would not "help to build confidence" for new peace talks. The Palestinians have asked the U.S. to intervene to halt the construction. "This issue needs to be worked out before we start negotiations," Abbas confidant Yasser Abed Rabbo said. But he did not say construction must be halted as a condition for talks to begin. The lead Israeli and Palestinian negotiators were meeting Monday to discuss this latest setback. The status of Jerusalem is one of the "core issues" Olmert and Abbas hope to tackle next year, along with the final borders of a Palestinian state and the fate of millions of Palestinian refugees whose families lost properties during Israel's 1948 War of Independence.
1984 Republican Party Platform
This year, the American people will choose between two diametrically opposed visions of what America should be. The Republican Party looks at our people and sees a new dawn of the American spirit. The Democratic Party looks at our nation and sees the twilight of the American soul. Republicans affirm that now, as throughout history, the spiritual and intellectual genius of the American people will create a better nation and maintain a just peace. To Republicans, creativity and growth are imperatives for a new era of opportunity for all. The Republican Party's vision of America's future, the heart of our 1984 Platform, begins with a basic premise: From freedom comes opportunity; from opportunity comes growth; from growth comes progress.
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