Over the weekend, my laptop was stolen. Though I had security measures in place to prevent data theft, it’s best to assume that these safeguards have been compromised. Being a computer guy, I know how easy it can be to crack a password and defeat most forms of encryption.
Step 1: Freeze your Accounts
As I was waiting for the police to arrive, I was on the phone with my bank, credit card, and investment companies alerting them that my data had been stolen. They verified that there had not been any suspicious activity and closed/froze the accounts for me. The next day I opened all new accounts with different account numbers, different pins, and different passwords.
Step 2: Change your Passwords
While on the phone, I was also on a friend’s laptop logging into GMail, MySpace, and other online accounts and changing my passwords. I took the opportunity to pick stronger passwords as well.
Step 3: Notify your Friends
Once I was confident that the thief could not access any of my accounts, I posted a blog entry, a MySpace bulletin, and sent emails to warn people that my data had been stolen and could be used for fraud; not only against me, but them as well.
Step 4: Purchase Identity Theft Insurance
Though all my existing accounts are now protected, it may be possible for the thief to open new accounts in my name. So I purchased identity theft insurance for about $13.00 per month.
I hope I haven’t forgotten anything. If I have, please post a comment with your suggestions. My hope is that this post will enable others in similar situations to protect their assets and their identities.
My laptop has been stolen. That means that if I had your contact information, now some asshole thief has it too.
If you get any strange calls mentioning me, don’t tell them anything about yourself or me. If someone comes to your door asking about me, don’t tell them anything about yourself or me.
Remember that they may try to trick you into thinking I’m hurt or need help – DON’T TELL THEM ANYTHING. They may claim to be a friend or family member and even know personal things – DON’T TELL THEM ANYTHING.
If you would, though, be friendly and try to get a number to call them back at. I’d love to get in touch.
Everyone should check out Wikiversity. Wikiversity is a wiki dedicated to providing free learning materials for all age groups. Currently they have learning projects for everything from agriculture to zoology.
Today I browsed around the School of Business and happened upon an Introduction to Statistics that I found very interesting. I also browsed around in Financial Accounting and, after reading over Session 1, was disappointed to find Session 2 incomplete. Maybe one of my accountant friends will update it!
I think that the Wikiversity has a lot of potential. I plan to contribute whenever I can. I hope others will too.
At no point in history has the technology of oral hygiene been better. Millions of years of human development have culminated in the awesome hygienic advancements that we have come to use every day. These advancements include: the sonic toothbrush, advanced formula toothpastes, easy-to-use at-home tooth whitening systems, floss, and many dental hygiene techniques once thought impossible.
Thanks to these astounding scientific and technological advances, as of midnight tonight there will never have been, in the entire history of humankind, a better moment for you to experience one simple pleasure: To share a kiss with the one you love.
Happy New Year!