topic Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this? in Community Chat

latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

KathyPet — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 23:14:06 GMT

I, for one, am getting fed up with web sites whose security is so weak that they cannot protect my data from these hackers. I must have user ID's and passwords for 15 or 20 different sites including my bank, various investments, E mail, insurance. now I have to change all of them! I am sick and tired of this as I also had my personal information breached during the Target scam although no monetary loss. I think that this sort of continual problem is going to be the down fall of the internet as more and more users just get fed up with this sort of hacking and just cut way back on internet usage.

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

SydneyH — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 23:16:18 GMT

I'm not changing my passwords. There will always be breaches imo.

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

raven-blackbird — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 23:20:30 GMT

as fast as a patch can be done to plug a hole.......another hacker will be out there breakin through the patch.............................raven

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

gidgetgh — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 23:28:57 GMT

I changed my password for my bank account, Amazon, American Express and one other this afternoon. I'm going to change the password for QVC and my Discover card tonight. I don't think I'm going to change the other 50 or so passwords that I currently use. They don't have any credit card information stored.

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

Marp2 — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 23:28:58 GMT

"The breadth of these break-ins should serve as a chilling reminder of the skullduggery that has been going undetected on the Internet for years, said John Prisco, CEO of another security firm, Triumfant.

"This issue reminds me of an iceberg, where 90 percent of it is actually underwater," Prisco said in an emailed statement. "That's what is going on here... So many cyber breaches today are not actually reported, often times because companies are losing information and they are not even aware of it."

From: http://news.msn.com/science-technology/report-russian-hackers-steal-12b-passwords

I agree, this has been and will continue to be a common occurrence. Once one hole is plugged another will be opened.

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

terrier3 — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 23:31:36 GMT

It's just another form of robbery.

These hackers are geniuses...it costs billions to just keep up with them!

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

Marp2 — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 00:15:57 GMT

Something else to think about and be aware of:

Is Your Watch Or Thermostat A Spy? Cybersecurity Firms Are On It.

There is a sharp divide in the technology world. One camp is racing to connect our devices to the Internet, to make everything — from the watch to the refrigerator — smart, so to speak.

The other camp is terrified of what that means: everyday objects that can be hacked, easily, to spy on us and hand off valuable data to cybercriminals. The cynics are gathered in Las Vegas this week, at .

The Nest Hacker

People who hack for good have come to Mandalay Bay to share their research.

Meet Grant Hernandez, 21, who is an undergraduate security researcher at the University of Central Florida, and he hacked one of the smartest. The home thermostat uses sensors to tell when you're home and adjust temperature accordingly. With a shiny silver rim and black center, it kind of looks like a big eyeball. And Hernandez says, it's pretty easy to turn into a spy.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2014/08/06/338334508/is-your-watch-or-thermostat-a-spy-cybersecurity-firms-are-on-it?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=news

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

dooBdoo — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 00:28:55 GMT

The publicity is important, because websites have a responsibility to be aware and provide up-to-date security for their customers.

However, we have a responsibility too.

We have valuables in our home, so we learn how to protect them. When we're out and about, working, shopping, etc., we learn how to protect the valuables we carry with us. We educate ourselves and we're vigilant.

It's essential to remember to apply the same practices to using the internet, using technology. Such things as strong passwords updated regularly, secure browsing, keeping our software up-to-date, and NEVER using the same password on multiple websites go a long way in protecting ourselves. It's the trade-off for the ease of using the internet.

Did anyone notice all the complaints because QVC began requiring a password instead of the antiquated 4-digit PIN for logins? We want simplicity but then we're upset when there's a security breach.

Identity theft and access to our financial information is a nightmare and is nothing compared to the annoyance of learning and practicing "safe computing."

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

scotttie — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 00:33:02 GMT

I worry much more about hacking into our electrical infrastructure.

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

Marp2 — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 00:40:07 GMT

On 8/6/2014 scotttie said:
I worry much more about hacking into our electrical infrastructure.

Yep, electric, water and communication (including satellite) networks are particularly vulnerable and in too many cases antiquated.

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

Marp2 — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 00:46:03 GMT

DooB,

You are so right in your post #7. Since you are up on a lot of this I would find it helpful if you would start a thread with suggestions on how to manage the plethora of usernames and passwords most of us have in a way that would be manageable and at least relatively convenient.

I must have close to 75 sites for which I need a username and password. Some are only accessed a few times a year, like my insurance accounts, but many are accessed on almost a daily or weekly basis. I can't imagine trying to keep up with that many different username/password combinations.

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

sophiamarie — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 00:46:06 GMT

I'm moving to Brunei......

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

Clover29 — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 00:56:52 GMT

On 8/6/2014 sophiamarie said:
I'm moving to Brunei......

It's extremely humid, with leeches and scorpions and sharia law. I was born there, but wild horses couldn't drag me back.

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

sophiamarie — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 01:01:23 GMT

On 8/6/2014 Clover29 said:
On 8/6/2014 sophiamarie said:
I'm moving to Brunei......

It's extremely humid, with leeches and scorpions and sharia law. I was born there, but wild horses couldn't drag me back.

I will live in an A/C high-rise with manservants (women too)..... Leeches and scorpions will not be allowed....

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

jeanlake — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 01:16:20 GMT

News stated Russian hackers can't expect to be monitored by their government. Lots of technical talent but so few jobs. They are basically for hire to the highest bidders.

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

brii — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 01:22:40 GMT

1password is supposed to be a good website for managing passwords. They were talking about it on the radio this afternoon. I have no idea how it works though. I need to look into something like that

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

Marp2 — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 01:27:30 GMT

brii,

Under the circumstances I don't think an online password management site would be a great idea. If such a site were to get hacked ...

Sure would be a target I'd go after if I wanted passwords, etc.

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

Elstongunn — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 01:30:12 GMT

On 8/6/2014 Marp2 said:
brii,

Under the circumstances I don't think an online password management site would be a great idea. If such a site were to get hacked ...

Sure would be a target I'd go after if I wanted passwords, etc.

I was just going to post the same thing! Talk about hitting the Mother Lode...

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

brii — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 01:31:49 GMT

Marp, someone asked that exact question. Again, I didn't hear the whole conversation. Unfortunately, I didn't hear the answer. I am interested in how a Site like that works and how passwords are protected and how safe it is.

Re: latest data breach-how long are consumers going to put up with this?

dooBdoo — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 01:54:05 GMT

On 8/6/2014 Marp2 said:
DooB,

You are so right in your post #7. Since you are up on a lot of this I would find it helpful if you would start a thread with suggestions on how to manage the plethora of usernames and passwords most of us have in a way that would be manageable and at least relatively convenient.

I must have close to 75 sites for which I need a username and password. Some are only accessed a few times a year, like my insurance accounts, but many are accessed on almost a daily or weekly basis. I can't imagine trying to keep up with that many different username/password combinations.

Sorry, I'm moving at a snail's pace -- hurt my back. Arghhhhhh!

I think a special thread is a good idea, Marp. Just like the ongoing "iPad Tips and Tricks" threads, perhaps we could have a thread in the Electronics Talk forum so it would have more exposure to more posters?

A few things: A password manager really isn't a bad idea at all. They don't all work the same way. I encourage everyone to do some searches and read several of the articles. Here are 2 with great details about some of them:

The Best Password Managers

(link: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2407168,00.asp)

and a bit older but still germane:

10 Top Password Managers

(link: http://www.darkreading.com/risk-management/10-top-password-managers/d/d-id/1109759?page_number=1)

(eta: For those who use fewer websites, there are plenty of good tips out there for creating strong passwords, how to remember them, setting reminders to change them, etc., without using a password manager.)

Also, consider 2-step verification (which isn't perfect, but can offer better protection) and if websites don't offer it ask them to step up their security. Another thing: I don't keep my credit cards or any financial links on file on any websites. I add the info when I make a purchase and then delete the card or payment account after the purchase process has been completed.

Then there's the topic of email addresses, how to manage email, that sort of thing. Many hackers like the ones we're discussing today are using the addresses they've obtained to send dangerous email and trick people. And then there are tips about safe, secure browsing . . . Too much to go into right now.

It's good we're all talking about it.