Identity Theft (Cybersafety)

Vacca, John; Vacca, Mary E.

ISBN 10: 1604137002 ISBN 13: 9781604137002

Publisher: Chelsea House Pub, 2012

Synopsis

Identity theft is the fastest-growing crime in America. Based on credit bureau statistics, an estimated 1.5 million and 1.7 million Americans were victims of identity theft in 2008. From stolen credit card information to hijacked email accounts, from misappropriated personal information to impersonation of others online, the range of identity theft crimes is wide and ever expanding and most victims never learn how the identity thieves accessed their personal information in the first place.

Because teens post so much personal information online on blogs, social networking sites, and Web sites, they are at high risk for these crimes. Identity Theft explains the different types of identity theft crimes and how they are committed, providing valuable advice on how to protect personal information and stay safe online. Safeguards like Internet safety software and other technologies, such as biometrics, that can help protect an individual's identity are also discussed in this timely new book.

Chapters and topics include:

• Identity theft defined
• Protecting the identity of students
• Detecting, reporting, and recovering from identity theft
• Digital signatures
• E-commerce security.

About this title

About the Author

John Vacca is an information technology consultant and internationally known best-selling author based in Pomeroy, Ohio. Since 1982, he has authored 61 books, many on technology and information security, and more than 600 articles in the areas of advanced storage, computer security, and aerospace technology. Vacca was also a configuration management specialist, a computer specialist, and the computer security official for NASA's space station Freedom program and the International Space Station Program from 1988 until 1995. In addition, he is also an independent online book reviewer, and he was one of the security consultants for the MGM movie Antitrust.

Mary E. Vacca worked for the aerospace industry, providing information technology (IT) support to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Shuttle program Office in Houston, Texas, for more than 20 years, until her retirement in 1995. Her work as a system engineer in developing management information systems gave her broad experience in identity management, computer security, networking, software development, and quality control. Mary was the lead system engineer for a meeting support system that combined hardware and software applications to support real-time online meetings being conducted between personnel located at the various NASA sites. She has also authored many technical documents during her career. Due to her love of writing, as an avocation, she has also coauthored three novels, one of which won second place for best novel in two writing contests. She has since spent much of her time writing short stories, poems, and nonfiction books.

Mary E. Vacca worked for the aerospace industry, providing information technology (IT) support to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Shuttle program Office in Houston, Texas, for more than 20 years, until her retirement in 1995. Her work as a system engineer in developing management information systems gave her broad experience in identity management, computer security, networking, software development, and quality control. Mary was the lead system engineer for a meeting support system that combined hardware and software applications to support real-time online meetings being conducted between personnel located at the various NASA sites. She has also authored many technical documents during her career. Due to her love of writing, as an avocation, she has also coauthored three novels, one of which won second place for best novel in two writing contests. She has since spent much of her time writing short stories, poems, and nonfiction books.

From the Back Cover

The Cybersafety set is intended to help teens better understand the nature of the online world, learn to analyze the information found there, and inform them about online pitfalls and dangerous behaviors so that they can stay safe and get the most from their online experience. The books examine the typical activities teens undertake online and point out the risks connected to them while offering advice on how to avoid them. They also define and explain different types of cybercrime, from digital piracy to identity theft to stalking, and use real-life cases to illustrate how serious they can be. Also covered are the techniques criminals and predators use online, how law enforcement combats cybercrime, current laws about cybercrime, and what is appropriate behavior in the online world.

The books the Cybersafety set give middle and high school students and teachers alike the information they need to protect themselves in cyberspace.

Each book in this set explores a different aspect of the Internet, the World Wide Web, and mobile communications and computing.

Reviews

Just because every young adult seems to be wired today doesn’t mean that these “digital natives” understand how the Internet works or the potential risks involved with such open access. Backed by recent statistics and facts, this straightforward series educates teens about online safety. Following an explanation of types of theft and how it occurs, Identity Theft reveals ways to protect information online as well as reporting and recovering from theft. In addition, it points out why child and teen identity-theft matters and future preventative solutions, including biometrics. Each chapter opens with a real or imagined scenario to consider, while numerous color photos and sidebars add further interest. Extensive back matter enhances the research value. Grades 7-12. --Angela Leeper

Edition details

• Publisher: Chelsea House Pub
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1604137002
• ISBN 13: 9781604137002
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 135
• Editor: Rogers Marcus K. Ph.d.