Linda McGlasson writes: The Hancock Fabrics data breach continues to raise new questions about the security of point of sale (POS) devices at retail stores. In March, the national fabric store chain publicly confirmed the breach it suffered last summer, sending an open letter to its customers, revealing: “PIN pad units at a limited number…
Author: Dissent
Debit card protection bill advances in New Jersey
The Associated Press reports: Consumers who use their debit cards to make purchases at New Jersey businesses could soon see new protections aimed at thwarting identity theft. The state Senate Commerce Committee recently endorsed a measure that would require merchants to truncate debit card account numbers and expiration dates on all sales receipts, including copies…
Dumpster is no place for tax info…and yet
Tax season may be over but the headaches could just be starting for dozens of San Antonio residents whose personal info was discovered in a dumpster. KENS 5 discovered dozens of personal documents on the city’s North side. The information was discovered in a local dumpster, located outside a Rapid Return Tax business on the…
Student data found exposed
A file containing sensitive student information was found by an Olympic College student unsecured on the OC intranet recently, but according to the Information Technology Department the problem has been fixed. Tom Jacobs, customer service manager for IT, said the file was secured “within minutes of finding the problem.” Jon Bowers, student body president, said…
As cloud computing grows, customer frustration mounts
Patrick Thibodeau reports: Users who turned to cloud computing for some of its obvious benefits, such as the ability to rapidly expand and provision systems, are starting to shift their focus to finding ways to fix some early weaknesses. Cloud computing today has some of the characteristics of a Wild West boom town, but its…
Iowa Woman Says Hospital Chaplain Violated Her Privacy
When you confess something to a pastor, you assume it will be kept confidential. But an Iowa woman says that’s not what happened at the University of Iowa hospitals in Iowa City. Dayna Leichty’s son was being treated at the hospital. At one point, Dayna told a chaplain that she was pregnant. That information ended…