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It is extremely easy for identity thieves to steal your personal information from the internet.

"It's as easy as performing a Google search. The technology has advanced to the point where it is just that simple," says Robert Boback, the CEO of Tiversa.

In the growing quest to gain free content, whether it be music or movies, people are downloading file-sharing software that in turn can share their personal information.

"As they download those free, so-called 'free' clients, what ends up happening is that their entire hard drives are then indexed and that includes all the personal information that's on those hard drives," says Boback. "So just think what you have personally on your hard drive. Would you want that shared? Whether that's pictures, or whether that's your tax return, or your accounts, or your online banking or online purchasing. No one wants to share that information worldwide and that's exactly what's happening."

To keep up with criminals, companies such as Lifelock will help people protect their identity for a price.

"We're going to be there to be scouring these websites, constantly monitoring, looking for your information being misused," says Todd Davis, CEO of Lifelock. "So if we find it, we can find it early, get ahead of that criminal before it's populated out to the entire criminal world."

"We're going to find out if there's been any case of identity theft. Has someone opened a new line of credit? Has someone done something?" continues Davis. "We'll then call them, cancel the credit cards, cancel this new account, get a new one issued. Reverse the charges, recover any money or losses you may have."

The Federal Trade Commission says people can also protect their own online identity for free, but they have to be vigilant.

"One of the best things consumers can do is check their credit report on an annual basis," says FTC regional director Len Gordon. "Congress has provided that you get three free looks at your credit report each year."

If you find suspicious activity on your report, you can issue an initial fraud alert that lasts for 90 days or an extended alert that lasts for seven years. In extreme cases, you can also place a credit freeze, which means no one can have access to your credit report.

For information on Identity Theft Protection Companies, visit the FTC's website at www.ftc.gov and click on "Identity Theft." To monitor your own credit, checking your credit report for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.

If you'd like "NY1 For You" to look into a problem, call our 24-hour helpline at 212-379-3599 or send an email to ny1foryou@ny1.com.