Peer-to-peer File Sharing May Be 2008’s Greatest Identity Theft Threat:

Feb. 9, 2008 - PRLog -- Identity Finder Software Protects Against This Major Cause of Confidential Data Leakage

According to the Identity Theft Assistance Center, throughout this year “criminals will continue to exploit new technologies to commit identity theft.”  At the top of their list of ‘major event’ security breaches from 2007 is a case involving a peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing network.  Kids & Digital Content reports that 70 percent of kids ages 9 through 14 are downloading digital music.  The NPD Group has stated, “high levels of  illegal peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing” are attributed as the source of those downloads.  

“Despite the severe risk of using P2P networks, their popularity is on the rise,” says Todd Feinman, CEO of Identity Finder.  He adds that, “Millions of Americans use file sharing to download music, movies, and games over the Internet, but don’t realize they’re inadvertently letting strangers download their own, their colleagues--or, in the case of kids, their parents’—business, tax and personal files.  We believe that our unique software provides a simple, affordable solution to protect personal information from file sharing and other privacy risks.”

The problem with many of the P2P applications is that they often lead to an individual sharing everything on his/her computer!  Last month, Mary Engle of the Federal Trade Commission stated, “We're concerned that consumers may accidentally share folders that contain private documents that they don't intend to share.”  The danger here is clear, as it is commonly acknowledged that criminals now troll file sharing networks for the sole purpose of finding sensitive data that can be used to commit identity theft.

Identity Finder has the ability to automatically search for personal information inside files, e-mails, and web browsers.  It then helps individuals securely delete the data or protect the information with encryption.  “By installing Identity Finder, enterprises and individuals alike can stay one step ahead of the criminals and effectively offset most vulnerabilities associated with file sharing applications,” explains Feinman.

Below are examples of 2007’s ‘major events’ involving file sharing.  In all cases, if the victims had used Identity Finder to locate their personal information, they could have ensured that their file sharing program did not expose them.  If the victims used Identity Finder to protect that information, it would have been unreadable by anyone who downloaded it.

Nov 5, 2007 - Thirty-five year old Seattle man pleads guilty to using P2P file-sharing programs to access the computers of victims and steal their personal information from tax returns, credit reports, bank statements and student financial aid applications.

Sep 21, 2007 - Files containing social security numbers and other personal information on over 5,000 customers of a Citigroup’s ABN Amro Mortgage Group were inadvertently downloaded onto an Internet P2P file-sharing network.  A former business analyst joined a file-sharing network where people can share music and video downloads.  Work-related information that she had downloaded onto her personal computer was inadvertently exposed to the network.

About Identity Finder:
Identity Finder is a division of Velosecure LLC, a leading niche innovator of security and privacy technologies. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in New York City, the company specializes in developing software solutions that meet business and consumer needs.  Best known for Identity Finder and Velosecure CAM, the company’s technologies have been used by thousands of organizations in more than 40 countries.  The management team is a thought leader in the industry.  They are well published and have consulted with hundreds of clients to help manage their information technology risks.

Contact:
Fern Edison: fern@erichopr.com (845) 679-6319 Eric Yaverbaum: eyav@erichopr.com (914) 834-2199 http://www.identityfinder.com

Website: erichopr.com