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Top Net Threats Right Now
While it may not feel quite like the Wild West anymore, the Internet is still full of people looking to rip you off -- the anonymity and secretive nature of online dealings makes them much more prone to fraud than in the real world. We've compiled a list of the top threats to your security lurking around the Internet -- and what you can do to avoid them.
The threat: The upcoming presidential election
The problem: All of the presidential candidates accept donation contributions online -- but be careful. Extremist supporters have been using "typo-domains" that mimic the Web site of a political rival; when the contributions come in, they're either pocketed or contributed to someone else's campaign. GOP Presidential nominee Ron Paul's campaign received funds from five hundred stolen credit cards, which were stolen from Frost bank; investigators discovered overseas thieves used Paul's site to test the stolen cards with $5 contributions.
How to protect yourself: Don't reply to the email -- and don't click the links inside it, either. Want to make an online donation? Google the name of your candidate of choice, go to his or her official site, and donate away ...
The threat: The upcoming presidential election
The problem: All of the presidential candidates accept donation contributions online -- but be careful. Extremist supporters have been using "typo-domains" that mimic the Web site of a political rival; when the contributions come in, they're either pocketed or contributed to someone else's campaign. GOP Presidential nominee Ron Paul's campaign received funds from five hundred stolen credit cards, which were stolen from Frost bank; investigators discovered overseas thieves used Paul's site to test the stolen cards with $5 contributions.
How to protect yourself: Don't reply to the email -- and don't click the links inside it, either. Want to make an online donation? Google the name of your candidate of choice, go to his or her official site, and donate away ...
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Daniel Gaunt said 5:25AM on 2-15-2008
Ahhh I'm never going on the internet again. I'm way too scared!
http://freeextras.blogspot.com/
http://lifeorsomethingnotquitelikeit.blogspot.com/
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Tully S said 12:39PM on 2-17-2008
This fraud has nothing to do with Ron Paul. Seems like you just wanted to have the title "Top Internet Threats Right Now" with a picture of Ron Paul.
You're also linking two completely separate frauds. Typo-domains and testing funds from stolen credit card numbers are two different subjects. This is a joke.
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For Me to Know said 6:26AM on 2-20-2008
You use RP as an example rather than the FAR more common fake PayPal, eBay, BoA, Citibank, etc. e-mails.
I'm sure you can stoop lower than THAT. Go ahead; give it a whirl.
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iegonn said 10:01PM on 2-27-2008
There wouldnt be no such thing as fraud if people just had a little common sense. Not too much cause they might hurt them selves, but just enough to realize that...Haha! wait a minute this isnt real. I wouldnt give them money anyway. They get paid enough...
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M said 6:46AM on 2-22-2008
Jesus H. Christ, isn't anyplace safe from criminals anymore??
Sometimes it seems like the internet is just one giant opium den.
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Sue said 7:31AM on 2-22-2008
lol
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Eleanor said 7:36AM on 2-22-2008
After loosing 600 $ from my credit card, I closed it out. That might not seem like a lot, but am o a fixed income so to me it was. Be careful who and what you answere to. To some one with a big bank account you could be wiped out in seconds. We live in an unsafe world. What a shame but you have to take care of you, even if it means doing what I did.
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jyl said 7:42AM on 2-22-2008
M--Just curious, what does the H stand for in Jesus H Christ?
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Bob Lieber said 7:56PM on 9-06-2008
I believe his middle name was Herman
MNLOPEZ said 3:21AM on 1-26-2009
HOLY
DR RUTH said 8:04AM on 2-22-2008
WHAT DOES RON PAUL HAVE TO DO WITH YOUR ARTICLE: "TOP INTERNET THREATS RIGHT NOW" ????
WHY DIDN'T YOU SHOW ALL THE CANDIDATES' PHOTOS RELATING TO YOUR NEWS ARTICLE - WHY JUST RON PAUL ? THAT'S NOT FAIR !!!! AND NOT RIGHT !!!!
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Kevin Wimer said 9:21AM on 2-22-2008
I have had my debit card stolen twice in 2 months. I don't open e-mails unless I know or expect a message.
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bluntgard420 said 8:46AM on 2-22-2008
What does Ron Paul have to do with this?Do you people stay awake at night and think fo things to gripe about?Get a clue.
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Andrew J Valiante said 8:51AM on 2-22-2008
This is to answer JYl's question regarding what the H stands for in Jesus H Christ...This year it stands for "Hillary".Next year it will be the same as the "S" in Harry S Truman which doesn't stand for anything.
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Spencer said 9:11AM on 2-22-2008
Wow...what does stolen credit cards and Ron Paul have to do with internet security?? Did they magically transport the cards from the bank to their secret hideaway lol or maybe you really meant stolen credit card numbers. At the very least the stolen credit card info should have been a seperate paragraph than the typo-domain info. Either way you guys really droppped the ball with this article. But, I guess that's what I've come to expect from AOL and I'm so bored this morning there's nothing else to do but laugh at your blogs.
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dont ask said 9:16AM on 2-22-2008
WOW!
Sounds like Tully S and bluntgard(420) should get a room together, as they seem to share the love for poor Mr. Paul who hasn't got a clue as to how to defend himself...
I also find it ironic that a person (I think) going by the name of blunt and 420 is telling people to get a clue! I say put down the bongs and semi-automatic weapons turn off the computer pull up the shades and open the door! It's daytime out there and there are real people just on the other side of that door!
If moving out under your own volition doesn't work there are plenty of psycho / logical? help lines you can call and they would be more than happy to come and pick you up I'm sure...
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bluntgard420 said 6:40PM on 6-21-2008
You shouldn't post a comment or reply to an issue that you don't fully understand! As to your opinion on semi automatics and bongs, I'll say it again, GET A CLUE!
vicki harrison said 9:12AM on 2-22-2008
COOOLLLLL.............
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Lillian said 9:14AM on 2-22-2008
Standard rule always applies: Don't open any emails from whom you do not know. And, if by chance you have a momentary brain fart and do open those emails, DON'T click on any links within that suspicious email.
I realize this does not save you from "everything" out there that's trying to get to you through your computer, but it's the best solution just from an email standpoint. You wouldn't believe the number of people who use the computer just for email and IM's only, but they open every single email they get, no matter who it's from, then click on everything possible, I guess just for the fun of it, then they wonder why their computer is "freaking out" all the time.
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Carlo said 9:15AM on 2-22-2008
I think internet scams and virus proliferators warrant the death penalty without trial -- same as horse theivs and cattle rustlers in the late 19th Century West... Notice I didn't say "Wild West" as I think summary executions would be the most civilized solution to this vast problem in the service of justice for the collective loss of law-abiding people's monies, computer hardware, and the corruption of expensive programs.
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