SolveYourProblem
eLearning Series
Internet Security
Does
Mobile Technology Require More Security?
Data
security, especially on mobile devices like cell phones
and Blackberries, needs an increase in the
level of seriousness given, especially with people doing shopping
and business transactions online, and with the lines of technology
blurring so much between devices. For instance, email doesn’t
have to be sent on a computer anymore. Cell phones can be used
for email and text messaging. Blackberries combine many functions
of computers and cell phones, and are becoming quite common
in the business world and for personal use as well.
The need for further security is exemplified in the passing
of a California law. This law requires businesses to report
to consumers’ breaches in their data security resulting in
the loss of personal information, like names, social security
numbers, driver’s license numbers, debit card and credit card
numbers, and California state ID card numbers. Some companies
have been in the news in recent years when these security breaches
occurred. Companies involved include Bank of America, DSW Shoe
Warehouse, Household Bank, LexisNexis and even MasterCard and
Visa through a third party company. However, it may not be
that there are more security breaches these days. It may simply
be that the companies are now reporting security breaches that
they ignored in the past. Currently the law requires that all
businesses that do business in California report all security
breaches. Most companies are reporting this information to
all of their customers rather than just those who live in California
to err on the side of safety.
The
situation is serious enough that Congress in 2005 began
to look at enactment of a federal law to apply the same requirements
on the entire nation. One such bill was introduced by Senator
Diane Feinstein and is patterned after the California law.
In addition, several states have enacted very similar laws
that require businesses and government agencies to report security
breaches quickly. Currently the states of Georgia, Minnesota,
Montana and North Dakota have these laws and other states are
considering them.
Why
should security of mobile technology be of such concern? The same reason that your computer security should be of concern.
Unscrupulous individuals – crooks in other words – if they
get a hold of your personal information, this can make you
the victim of fraud or identity theft. With cell phones crooks
“clone” cell phone numbers and sell them as clean and untraceable
back to the user. These people make calls on your cell phone
account without even having your phone in their possession,
and you get the bill. People who commit identity theft can
buy cars in your name, get credit cards, or use your credit
or debit card. They have been known to clean out people’s bank
accounts quite quickly indeed. In addition to the loss of money,
it can take months to straighten out the identity theft mess
and get your personal credit rating back in the same shape
it was in before the incident happened.
The
public deserves protection from the dangers imposed by
security breaches, whether that protection is given to them
by government agencies or by businesses themselves doing the
right thing. Everyone involved in collection and dissemination
of confidential information needs to take extra care to be
certain that such information does not get into the hands of
those who would misuse it. Individuals also need to take steps
to increase their own personal security. Memorizing passwords
and PINs, personal identification numbers, and not writing
them down is a good first step. Imagine having the PIN for
your checking account in your wallet, along with your debit
card and having both stolen. A thief would have immediate access
to your money, but if you had the PIN memorized and not written
down, the money would be safe. Also take care with important
numbers like bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and
your social security numbers. Crooks intent on committing fraud
or identity theft love to get a hold of those numbers and many
of them can do you financial harm, so keep them safe. Also,
be careful of who is listening when speaking on a cell phone
and giving out important numbers. That stranger could be an
identity thief, so take care when you speak.
# # # # #
SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
> Home > Internet
Security Articles:
Main Page |
