Fears of an April Fools’ Day attack by the so-called “Conficker” worm – fears that were confirmed this week when 700 computers at the University of Utah were attacked – raised the profile of the potential for cyber-criminals to enter networks and siphon off private information.
Now, on the eve of tax day, experts are telling TMCnet that U.S. residents must be extra-vigilant when using electronic filing systems to get their forms into the IRS.
According to Ron Meyran, product marketing manager of security for integrated application delivery solutions provider Radware Ltd., there are two major risks associated with e-filing: information theft and identity theft.
“The question is: Where are the risk points?” Meyran told TMCnet in an interview. “Assuming the IRS is quite secure, the risk is in two places, because taxpayers are either filing directly or through an accountant. A lot of users’ information is going to an accountant, so it’s probably stored on a secure computer and then transmitted using a secure channel to the IRS.”
In recent weeks, Meyran said, Radware (News - Alert) has seen several phishing scams online – such as those offering free filing services. To protect themselves, users should start with a copy of Microsoft (News - Alert) Windows’ antivirus and register to a secured – rather than a regular – Internet connection.
“The second major point I would make is about basic education,” Meyran told TMCnet. “Just don’t believe that anything is offered for free.”
It’s a problem that experts today are saying is growing exponentially.
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