Microsoft gave out multiple usb devices to police agencies last June that allow investigators to bypass passwords and other protections in Windows operating systems. These devices contain 150 commands that allow for fast scanning on a suspect’s computer when police are looking for evidence.
It turns out that malware installed on servers in Europe, New York and Florida was the tool used by intruders to glean credit card data from Hannaford Brothers. I posted back on the 18th of March about the Hannaford Bros. grocery stores breach but the new details have just recently emerged concerning how the intrusion was accomplished. Evidently the malware intercepted the data as it was transmitted from the point of sale systems to the authorization partner.
Several points of entry are being examined by the store chain but it isn’t know yet exactly how the breach occurred. Among other ways, investigators are looking at lax firewall rules, server vulnerabilities and the possibility of an insider planting the malware.
more info at Infoworld
Patriot this, monitor that, listen in on this, turn a camera on that. Everywhere we turn, there are more encroachments on our personal liberty and ability to carry on our own lives in peace without the federal government snooping. Some say “if you have nothing to hide, what’s the big deal?” but I think the recent passport debacle makes the point for me. It was announced first with Senator Barack Obama as the victim, but now it’s been confirmed Senator Hillary Clinton’s and Senator John McCain’s passports have also been snooped on.
The problem with letting the government snoop on everything we do, even if we are model citizens, is that the government is made up of people. Some have good intentions, others don’t. Government is not a big non-partial entity that virtuously carries out tasks autonomously, it is made up of humans with flaws just like the rest of us.
We know of three passport activity breaches now, how many more have there been? It took two months to find those events with high-profile people. If government were to keep data on everyone, how long would it take to find that an average Joe’s personal information had been accessed by someone with less-than-honorable intentions?
Who watches the watchers?
I have accounts all over the internet for various stores, services, forums, etc… To be safe, it’s best to have separate logins and/or passwords for each. How does one keep track of all of them? The easiest way is to use a piece of software that keeps them for you. You only have to remember the password to access your software.
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