Travel writer Peter Greenberg gives us an insightful look at the creepy future of airport security. Most of us are already familiar with ‘puffer’ scanners, which, ironically, are prominent fixtures at the Statue of Liberty. They are just the beginning. The future holds several new devices, and “many of them are raising new issues regarding privacy.”
security
ORIGINAL VIDEO: PayPal Security Key First Look
By 3.1.07
You can get yours from PayPal for $5 here. — BEN POPKEN
Phoenix Aiport Uses X-ray Strip Search
By 2.23.07
An X-ray strip search device is being tested starting today at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Passengers selected for secondary screening are given an option of the X-ray, which uses low-dose radiation to see through clothes (with great detail) but not skin, or a pat-down. From CBS4:
Men will view male images and women will view female images, but privacy advocates are concerned that those more detailed, embarrassing images will be stored inside the machine and can be viewed at a later time.
Howto: Get Your Name Off The No-Fly List
By 2.22.07
The Department of Homeland Security has finally woken up, and now admits that the No-Fly List has its problems.
Comcast Leaves Customer Information Out On the Curb for Anyone To See
By 2.20.07
Neighbors say the trash includes customers account information. This afternoon, when we looked at the piles of trash, you could see through the plastic what appeared to be customer bills.
Comcast doesn’t return calls about the problem. Can’t they afford a paper shredder?! At least make the ID thieves work for their money, Comcast. —MEGHANN MARCO
Identity Thieves Steal For Peanuts… Literally
By 2.18.07
In some twisted way, it makes sense when a criminal steals your identity to rip you off for thousands of dollars. You might call that normal crook behavior. But these days identity thieves, who now range from far-flung organized crime rings to local drug addicts, are also using your identity for the basics, such as groceries.
Bank of America To Begin Cell Phone Banking
By 2.15.07
Bank of America Introduces Leading-Edge Mobile Banking for More Than 21 Million Online Banking Customers (Press Release) [PRNewswire]
Order Your Paypal Security Key Now
By 2.9.07
PayPal security keys are now available for purchase, offering consumers the option vastly enhanced protection against account breaches.
ConEd Customer's Personal Info Highly Vulnerable To Online Theft
By 1.30.07
ConEd customer’s personal information is in grave danger. ConEd’s online account system is easily crackable, only requiring entering an account number.
Fraud Survey Results: 82% Less Likely To Respond To Legit Banking Emails Due To Phishing
By 1.29.07
Security firm RSA released the results of their annual online security survey, and the results are interesting. It seems that phishing and other forms of fraud are taking a toll on users.
Boy, 9, Sneaks On A Plane to Texas
By 1.18.07
- Police in Lakewood, Washington, say the boy (Semaj Booker) has a history of stealing cars and running away from home. He was apparently trying to get to Dallas, where his grandfather lives, and where the boy himself used to live. But he came up short, only getting as far as San Antonio after hopping two separate flights.
TJ Maxx & Marshall’s Hacked, Tons Of Credit Cards Stolen
By 1.18.07
In mid-December, someone cracked into TJ Maxx’s computer system and stole a huge swath of credit cards.
Airport Security Trays To Feature Advertisements
By 1.12.07
- Travelers nationwide could soon see ads for laptops, expensive cars and other products in the trays that carry their shoes and cell phones through X-ray machines at airport security checkpoints.
HSBC Direct Prevents Keyloggers From Stealing Your Account
By 1.4.07
First we just liked our HSBC Direct account for its 5.05% APY. Then we found its security system pretty neat.
Messiah The Cat Gets $4200 Credit Card
By 1.3.07
Meow! Meow! That’s the sound of Messiah, a cat, charging expensive lingerie on his new credit card.
Vista Has Security Flaws Already, LOL
By 12.27.06
The New York Times is reporting that Microsoft Vista has security flaws. Yes, already. In addition to a flaw that lets users increase their own privileges and override all the new fancy Vista security, there’s a “troubling” flaw in IE7. “The browser flaw is particularly troubling because it potentially means that Web users could become infected with malicious software simply by visiting a booby-trapped site.”
Personal RFID Firewall Invented
By 12.6.06
This paper outlines a system for protecting yourself from the threat of RFID bandits snagging the credit card information you broadcast. The “RFID Guardian” jams your RFID signals, then it clones their signals and rebroadcasts them only if and when you tell it. If the banks won’t make the cards more secure, it’s up to the user to protect himself. — BEN POPKEN
Try Google Checkout, Paypal Minus Evil
By 11.30.06
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