nytimes.com — "But in tests on 20 cards from Visa, MasterCard and American Express, the researchers here found that the cardholder?s name and other data was being transmitted without encryption and in plain text. They could skim and store the information from a card with a device the size of a couple of paperback books..."
Oct 23, 2006 View in Crawl 4
gnutzuOct 23, 2006
Under the guise of less regulation, the government is more likely to write laws that protect corporations then they are to protect consumers.So, don't hold your breath for any laws that would make corporations liable for identity theft--even in the face of blatant negligence.In fact, corporations will use new technology as an excuse to escape the regulations that currently exist and place all responsibility on the consumer.The only hope is for people to stop buying products with poor security, but I don't see much hope for that. Microsoft has long been criticized for its poor attitude towards security, but I still find myself forced to use Microsoft products just so that I can earn a living. Eventually, everyone will have to have the new credit cards, and the consumers will have to suffer the consequences. Corporations aren't likely to bear the burden for any of this.
feanorOct 23, 2006
Umm this isn't that kind of privacy...this is the kind of privacy that keeps your money from being stolen from someone within a few feet of you. They don't have to steal your wallet to get your private information, all they have to do is stand there and let their little device do all the work. So, unless you go around with your credit card information or SSN written right on your shirt, I think you would appreciate a little bit of encryption.
mogoiOct 23, 2006
That guy on the left looks like David Foley. He does!
Closed AccountOct 23, 2006
The article states a concern regarding the security of your credit card on such RFID enabled credit cards, NOT IDENTIFY THEFT. Even if this technology was as insecure as the authors contend it may be, you DO realize that the burden of cost falls on the credit card companies right? Each and every one of my credit cards offers a $zero dollar liability for fraudulent use. I've had credit cards stolen out of my mail box and somehow activated. My liability? Zipola. Nada. Not a f**king cent. Something tells me this article is more hype than reality. Think about it, you are by law limited to a $50 hit if your card number is stolen, and MOST credit card companies now limit your liability to ZERO. Given the risk to the issuers, I think I'll lean toward thinking this article is pure hype for now.
fronkmanOct 23, 2006
what a stupid FUD article. you people do realize that "old style" credit cards have you name, CARD NUMBER and expiration in "plain text" embossed on the surface of them right? Your name and last 4 digits of the card are also printed in "clear text" on the receipts that people seem to toss in the garbage on the way out the door.
elbruelsioOct 23, 2006
This is true. However I don't wear my credit card on a chain around my neck, do you?
testcaseOct 24, 2006
Move to Linux.