Census safety online

SOCKET TECH TALK: Census safety in the digital age

The 2010 U.S. Census is underway, and in the digital age safety precautions are more important than ever. Scammers and cyber criminals looking to steal your money or identity will often use the names of reputable agencies and businesses to gain trust and acquire information for identity theft or fraudulent transactions.

"The Census is a prime opportunity for scammers to take advantage of people," said Andy Rehak, technical support supervisor at Socket, a Missouri-based telephone and Internet provider. "We urge our customers and all computer users to be on the lookout for fraudulent or suspicious activity on the Web."

E-mail scams often have urgent subject lines to entice people to open requests for personal information, links to bogus Census Web sites or attachments embedded with viruses and spyware. If computer users receive e-mails from the U.S. Census Bureau asking for information or action, they should not open them or send back any sensitive data.

According to its Web site, www.2010.census.gov, the Census Bureau will not collect data through the Web or ask for any personal information via e-mail, such as Social Security numbers, passwords, PIN codes or credit card numbers. However, survey questionnaires will be sent via e-mail to collect statistical information about social and economic conditions in the country. If a user receives a survey via e-mail and is unsure of its authenticity, he or she can contact a regional office directly to find out if it is a legitimate request.

Taking steps to protect personal information is important to avoid the stress of identity theft and potential financial damages. Rehak suggests taking precautions to stay safe online. The following tips are always useful but hold particular importance during times of heightened security risk, such as the Census.

• Run regular diagnostic scans, and update security software. Users should be sure their Web browsers, operating systems, virus protection and spyware protection have all been updated recently.
• Use a firewall. Firewalls, available in hardware and software programs, are designed to block unauthorized users from accessing a private network, generally via the Internet. Numerous security programs include a firewall, or they can be purchased and implemented separately.
• Be cautious when clicking links or downloading attachments. E-mails from unknown or fraudulent sources often contain bogus links that, when clicked, can lead to corrupted and unsafe Web sites. Not all links and attachments are unsafe, but caution is recommended.
• Consider why a person or business is asking for personal information. Most businesses do not require sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers or passwords. This information should not be shared electronically, and a legitimate company will reiterate the importance of personal security.
• Include a site advisor on your Internet browser. Site advisors provide safety ratings and phishing advice before users visit a risky Web site. Some browsers include a site advisor tool; others require a downloaded program. McAfee, a leader in Internet security software, offers a free version.

"If these steps seem overwhelming, contact a local computer expert for help," Rehak said. "Following these suggestions will improve information security, but be cautious."

Suspicious Census e-mails should be reported by e-mailing itso.fraud.reporting@census.gov or calling a regional Census Bureau office. To find the closest regional office, visit www.2010.census.gov.

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Socket Tech Talk is provided as a service to distribute general information concerning technology-related topics. Please consult your local computer expert for information specific to your situation.