credit cards

Indians shunning U.S. Tech jobs; Cox throttled torrent traffic as well;

Paul Mah — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:27:55 -0400

> Common misconceptions pertaining to database security. Article
> The OECD releases a new report analyzing the depletion of IPv4 addresses. Article
> Indians shunning U.S. tech jobs now. Article
> Cox throttled torrent traffic as well. Article
> PCI Standards Council announces new version of specification for merchants dealing with credit cards. Article

And Finally... Google's online translation function can now understand another 10 languages, bringing the number of supported languages to a total of 23. Article

Software to protect names and passwords

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 07:59:58 -0400

It's time to get more sophisticated about protecting your name and password. A new technology called ID Vault does just that. It uses its own memory to store your name and password information, and is encrypted, too. The newest 2008 version can store user names for up to 100 online accounts and information for up to 25 credit cards. If this sounds too good to be true, try it. The purchase price is just $39.95, and it's just one of the tools available on the market these days.

For more on security devices:
- See this cio-today article

Are you dealing with identity theft?

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:59:58 -0500

Identity theft is a relatively new kind of crime that is almost as sophisticated as the computer that you use every day. If your identity and credit card number are stolen, thieves can start charging merchandise they want like that iPhone, fancy fur coat or trip to the Caribbean. Credit card companies are getting more sophisticated about policing fake charges, though. They may call you to confirm a purchase if they see a suspicious-looking charge.

In 2005, more than 8 million Americans were victims of identity theft. Of that number, nearly two million had accounts opened or other types of fraud committed with stolen information. The rest had their credit cards hijacked and pilfered. That means that every CIO has to be on alert. And it is no easy task.

"Unfortunately, the way things are set up today, there is way too much information available in way too many places," said Adam Levin, chairman of Identity Theft 911 and a former director of New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs. If someone fraudulently uses a credit card, the card company ordinarily will reimburse the consumer for any loss. Nevertheless, CIOs working for a company that issues credit cards must be on the alert. This is a trend that is growing, not shrinking, and you better have a plan to deal with it in place, or you could end up with a big headache.

For more on the surge of ID theft:
- See this Washington Post article

RFID hits the consumer market

Tue, 03 Apr 2007 20:01:38 -0400

While CIOs have seen the promise of RFID in the supply chain, consumers will soon get a first-hand glimpse at the technology. RFID readers have been installed in some 50 soft drink vending machines in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Customers can now buy products from the machines using RFID-enabled debit and credit cards issued from financial services companies including Bank of America. Westminster, CO-based SkyTek made the announcement this week; its CEO, Rob Bagley, said that RFID card technology is more reliable and secure than traditional magnetic stripe cards.

For more on RFID in the consumer realm:
- see this ComputerWorld article

ID theft can't be ignored

Sun, 02 Apr 2006 20:01:38 -0400

Any organization that isn't working hard to protect staff, client and customer data might want to check out the latest figures on identity theft coming from the government. Approximately 3 percent of U.S. households were impacted by ID theft, and the cost of such criminal activity is just over $6 billion, according to the Department of Justice. That's just in the first half of 2004. Given the continual news reports on ID theft incidents, the numbers are quite higher today. While the major criminal vehicle is the theft of credit cards, accounting for about half of the incidents, nearly 25 percent had banking and other types of accounts used without permission, 15 percent had their personal information misused and about 12 percent faced a combination of several types of ID theft.

For more on ID theft on the rise:
- read this article at Infoworld

SPOTLIGHT: Biometrics poised to make ID easy as a scan

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 19:01:33 -0500

Get ready to toss those checkbooks, credit cards and debit cards into the trash. Emerging biometric technologies are promising to make financial transactions just a matter of fingertip precision. It could be an iris scan, a hand palm scan, a fingerprint scan or even voice command that will engage everything from opening a door at work to paying for lunch at the local eatery. Article