2020 Gangster Evolution: From Guns and Masks to Malware and VPN

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The tables have turned.
Unlike in traditional times where the authorities were well ready to catch a bandit galloping away on a dusty trail with a sack of loot, modern criminals today use constantly changing code as weapons and proxies as masks to stay ahead of the authorities.   Cyber criminals of today, leave yesterdays bank robbers in the dust.
Reinforced cement walls and titanium vaults of the past have now become mere pieces of software designed to keep intruders out. While steering humanity towards a more efficient and secure way of banking, the rulers of today work endlessly in trying to solve the security puzzle.
The ultimate goal for the ruling elite is to move to a cashless society. A society where wallets have become vaults.
Where bank tellers became secure websites. Where passwords become biometrics.
And ultimately, where RFID implants come to destroy the ways of the forgotten wild west. Until then, however, criminals today still have the uncanny ability to quickly adapt to an ever-changing environment and, therefore, so should we.
Thoughts of protecting our hard earned money lingers in the back of our minds on a daily basis. Statistics show that bank fraud soared to over 1 trillion dollars yearly in the new millenium, and this figure still grows today.
We all have some common knowledge on how to keep crooks out of our virtual pockets, but is it enough? It could happen to you. Counter measures introduced by banking institutions vary depending largely on the circumstances around the occurence.
Even with the best online banking security tips in mind, the fraudster is always lurking for new opertunities. Should you fall victim to bank fraud, your institution may need to take it to the extreme, in order to keep your (aka their) money safe.
For example, if your personal computer was the compromised source of the fraudulant transaction, your bank may deactivate your account until it is verified that your computer has been professionaly cleaned. Now, that's frustrating.
Money stolen, and now, locked away. Some companies, like Tech!Espresso Computer Repair in Calgary, for example, have started an initiative for offering a service specially designed to help you out.
They wrap a trusted verification certificate around their in-home computer virus removal service to help the bank identify that your computer has been inspected and cleaned by a certified expert. The customer simply needs to book the service and show the certificate to the bank representative upon completion, to have the account reactivated.
That may be great news in regaining access to your funds, but the problem at hand has still not been resolved. The following tips are things you can do every day to ensure the protection of your personal information.
The number one rule is follow your gut feelings; if you feel like a situation is suspicious, then you are more than likely to be correct. What to do if your identity has been stolen and you have fallen victim to bank fraud.
How to Spot a Phishing Scam Phishing scams have become a favorite tool of online criminals to steal your usernames, passwords, credit card information and even money. In a phishing scam, you will receive an email that looks like it is from an authoritative source.
While it may seem genuine, a phishing email contains several clues that it should not be trusted: In this respect, please stay safe and remember to cover all bases regarding the safe-keep of your finances and the information guarding them. Article Tags: Bank Fraud, Personal Information, Phishing Scam Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com Bjorn Hufer.
Senior Computer Repair Technician. Business Owner.
Accredited IT Professional holding TRIA Academy, Apple and Microsoft IT Certifications. Author and Publisher at Vueno Books..