Curbside Data Control

Brought to you by Shrednations The Key to the Privacy Castle The beginning of the month brought news a phishing attack against two of the largest email providers, hotmail and gmail. Many people don't grasp how important to keep your email secure. They think the only real threat is someone reading emails from their Aunt Martha. Email is really the key to your privacy castle. If someone has access to it they can quickly gain access to all of your online accounts. This is done using the password reset function of most websites. Take for example your bank; once they have your email they simply click on the "reset password" button. The new password is sent to the email account where the thief already has control. Make sure you have a very secure password on your email. Pay attention if it seems there is strange activity or if passwords seem to change without your knowledge .		Brought to you by Shrednations Two Notification Bills Advance in the Senate Two data breach notification laws are making their way through the Senate. The first is the Data Breach Notification Act, sponsored by Dianne Feinstein. If passed would allow the attorney general to sue businesses in civil court for failure to notify consumers of data breaches. The Personal Data Privacy and Security Act, sponsored by Patrick Leahy and Orrin Hatch is a more comprehensive bill. It sets notification requirements, requires preventative measures and introduce criminal penalties. Both bills have passed the Judiciary Committee and are moving to the full Senate.
Brought to you by Shrednations The Mafia and Identity Theft LexisNexis has warned warned 13,329 consumers that their data may have been compromised. The data was in the sensitive Seisint databases that were once used to track terrorists. The data was breached by Lee Klein of Boynton Beach, Florida. Lee is part of the Bonanno crime family in Florida. The Bonanno family used the information for a fake check-cashing operation, potential extortion or assault targets, and to find individuals suspected of being involved with law enforcement. It appears LexisNexis sold Lee access to the databases. Read the full story		Brought to you by Shrednations New Mexico Identity Theft Ring Broken Up New Mexico police have broken up an identity theft ring. What is interesting is where they were able to get the information. Three sources used were stolen purses, stolen records from the DMV and from stolen mail. Apparently the group had a postmaster key that allowed them to access any mailbox. When mailing information there is not substitute for going to the post office. Better yet, move to electronic statements and bill paying. The security is better, the fraud is found faster, and you save a tree or two.