Can viruses really steal ID information?

[kisezr00k]

A friend told me that some viruses and trojans that you get, can actually find confidential personal ID information on you computer like SSN or credit card info, and send it to scammer who then can rip you off?

Is this true?

What can be done about it?

I have and anti-virus program called Cyberdefender on my computer, is that enough protection?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Welcome to the DIS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CyberDefender

Not sure how accurate that review is, but worth reading.

As to your first question, yes, that is true.

I personally use http://www.eset.com/ Works well, has had good writeups.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_virus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phishing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyware