One Minute How To Interview: Data Security Tips for Marketers and Consumers

I recently had the pleasure to once again speak with George from the One Minute How To podcast. We discussed tips for both marketers and consumers to keep in mind to help protect sensitive information.

Please check out the podcast episode. It’s only a minute.

Data Theft of 38,000 Georgetown University Students, Staff, Faculty Members

The theft of a computer disk from a locked room at Georgetown University in Washington has potentially exposed the Social Security numbers Read more

Data Theft of 35,000 T. Rowe Price Group Customers

Baltimore-based investment management firm T. Rowe Price Group Inc. had to notify about 35,000 customers that their confidential data was exposed due to theft Read more

Data Theft of 29,000 Fallon Community Health Plan Members

A stolen laptop included the names, birth dates and some health care data on 29,800 members of Fallon Community Health Plan Read more

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ exposes 300,000 customers to fraud

I come home tonight to find multiple letters addressed to myself, my wife and young children informing us how Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey lost our confidential personal information Read more

Reader Feedback; Online Privacy Tips

Reader Normand from Canada writes:

Hi there!

I would like to know your opinion on the Ironkey USB Encryption and Anonymous Surfing claims.I deem it likely that such agencies as the US Homeland Security would have a backdoor to such a device or could monitor your surfing, given that they are listed in the list of contributors… Such a device could therefore become the eyes and ears of Bigbrother, under some Klingon Cloak. Tell me I’m not paranoid

Norm

Hi Norm,
Sorry, but I have no idea and can’t offer an educated opinion. Generally speaking, I do not believe that anyone can surf anonymously, at home and especially not in the workplace.

I also do not believe that it’s worth the effort and cost to use anonymizer services. I’ve also tried to setup email encryption between members of my family, only to be frustrated by how cumbersome it can be, especially to set up another person.

Therefore, as our privacy and rights are chipped away, I recommend the following defense:

• Don’t send confidential information in emails or post on Web sites.
• Don’t type any embarrassing keywords or incriminating phrases like “how to kill my spouse.”
• Don’t trust that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) will defend your privacy rights.
• Don’t trust that your friends wont (out of ignorance) post information about you online.

Thanks for writing.
-Roland

GE Money Loses Data on 650,000 Credit Customers

Reuters reports that GE Money Loses Data on 650,000 Credit Customers

A computer tape containing personal data of 650,000 customers of about 230 retailers including J.C. Penney Co is missing, credit card issuer GE Money. Social Security numbers of about 150,000 people were also included on the tape. The tape had been stored at an information protection and storage company. The company claims that there has been no evidence suggesting that the identity of any person had been compromised.

• More articles about careless organizations that allow data to be stolen…

British Ministry of Defense Looses Data on 600,000 People

Earlier this month, the British Ministry of Defence had a laptop stolen containing the personal details of 600,000 people interested in joining the armed forces. The laptop was stolen from a Royal Navy officer’s car on January 9th.

The unencrypted data included family details, national insurance, passport and driving licence numbers and NHS numbers.

“In total 69 laptops and seven personal computers have been lost by the Ministry of Defence over the past year.”

Related Links:

• Data loss prompts Whitehall laptop ban
• Ministry of Defence Laptop Data Loss Dramas Worsen
• More articles about careless organizations that allow data to be stolen…

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