There are a variety of types of theft, fraud, and scams related to the Internet that all internet users should be aware of. Data, Information or money can be stolen from individuals and businesses. A common crime today is identity theft, in which an individual poses as another individual – typically to steal money or make purchases posing as the victim. The information used in identity theft is often gathered via phishing. Online auction fraud is another computer crime. To protect against identity theft, individuals should guard their personal information carefully. When interacting with other individuals online or buying from an online auction, it is wise to be conservative and use a credit card whenever possible.