Tag Archives: identity
UK Data Analysts Demand Improvements to Privacy and Security Standards
This year’s Fine Balance conference was quite an exciting event, as representatives as different as Oracle, a computing company, and the NHS sought to figure out how they could protect people’s privacy in such a connected society.
The even has been a staple for a long time. There have been years that it focused on overlarge government databases and breaches of those databases, but this year the debate was all on the private sector. There was discussion about the government, but mainly to say that it did not have enough power. Privacy advocates applauded the decision of the government earlier this year to get rid of the identity card scheme and the planned sharepoint database, cut also said that the new powers that the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has are not enough.
Especially after the fiasco earlier this year in which Google allegedly accidentally collected the public wifi signals of millions of people, and as more and more vulnerabilities are allowing malicious parties to steal information right off of private computers the impetus was on the technology companies to better protect their customers. Many at the conference called for a lawsuit against Google over the data theft and for the ICO to take a much tougher stand against companies that make this sort of egregious error.
Some also said that it should be consumers who learn how to protect their own data. Many consumers, for example, do not even know about the risks of identity theft online and fill out forms whenever it is asked of them. These people argued that the onus for data protection was on the people, and that it was the ICO’s job to ensure that the people were properly educated about the risks of giving out information.
A final argument was that the UK just simply has not gotten into the privacy debate enough, and that there needs to be a call for more debate. The German constitution, for example, was framed with privacy in mind. In contrast, the UK has not even properly adopted article 22 of the Human Rights Act, declaring privacy to be a civil liberty. The current law in the UK says that financial damage must be proven before a privacy-related complaint can be heard in court. Experts say that it is this sort of attitude that makes privacy such a problem in the UK. A coordinated government response is needed to ensure that citizens can be protected as privacy becomes an ever-larger problem.
UK Data Analysts Demand Improvements to Privacy and Security Standards
This year’s Fine Balance conference was quite an exciting event, as representatives as different as Oracle, a computing company, and the NHS sought to figure out how they could protect people’s privacy in such a connected society.
The even has been a staple for a long time. There have been years that it focused on overlarge government databases and breaches of those databases, but this year the debate was all on the private sector. There was discussion about the government, but mainly to say that it did not have enough power. Privacy advocates applauded the decision of the government earlier this year to get rid of the identity card scheme and the planned sharepoint database, cut also said that the new powers that the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has are not enough.
Especially after the fiasco earlier this year in which Google allegedly accidentally collected the public wifi signals of millions of people, and as more and more vulnerabilities are allowing malicious parties to steal information right off of private computers the impetus was on the technology companies to better protect their customers. Many at the conference called for a lawsuit against Google over the data theft and for the ICO to take a much tougher stand against companies that make this sort of egregious error.
Some also said that it should be consumers who learn how to protect their own data. Many consumers, for example, do not even know about the risks of identity theft online and fill out forms whenever it is asked of them. These people argued that the onus for data protection was on the people, and that it was the ICO’s job to ensure that the people were properly educated about the risks of giving out information.
A final argument was that the UK just simply has not gotten into the privacy debate enough, and that there needs to be a call for more debate. The German constitution, for example, was framed with privacy in mind. In contrast, the UK has not even properly adopted article 22 of the Human Rights Act, declaring privacy to be a civil liberty. The current law in the UK says that financial damage must be proven before a privacy-related complaint can be heard in court. Experts say that it is this sort of attitude that makes privacy such a problem in the UK. A coordinated government response is needed to ensure that citizens can be protected as privacy becomes an ever-larger problem.
Who is Phishing for Your Information?
Theres a new type of internet piracy called “phishing” (pronounced “fishing”). Internet identity thieves are “fishing” for your personal information. Theyre looking for ways to trick you into giving out your Social Security Number, credit card number and other personal information that they can use to their advantage. You could become a victim of identity theft and it could take years to clear your financial history and personal reputation. But understanding how these internet thieves work, will help you to protect yourself from having your identity stolen.
How do these thieves get your information?
Typically, you might receive an email from a company that you are familiar with that looks “real”. It has the company logo and they may call you by name; additionally, the tone of the email appears that the organization is looking out for your best interests. This email will warn you of some imminent danger to your account or credit card and that you need to take action immediately or you will suffer dire consequences (id fraud, or credit card fraud). There will be a link (underlined writing usually in blue) for you to click on that will take you to their website. And guess what? The website they take you to will look exactly like the organizations home page.
Next, you will be asked to “verify” your account, password, or credit card information. If you ever find yourself here, STOP! Do nothing. Do not fill in any personal information. Immediately exit from this website and delete the phony email that you received. This is how many become victims of identity theft.
How to know that this is a “phishing” email.
If you did not email this company asking for information about your account or for help with a problem, be suspicious. If you are still not sure because it looks so “real”, call the company yourself and ask. You can find these phone numbers on your monthly statement. If it is after hours and no one is there to take your call, wait until the next day. Dont fall for the “imminent danger” message and feel that you have to take action immediately. “Phishers” are hoping that you will take immediate action dont panic and let them trick you into clicking on their link.
What can you do?
Never give out your password over the internet or phone when it is an unsolicited request. Your credit card company knows your login information as well as your credit card number. They dont need to ask you for it.
Likewise, your bank knows your account number and social security number; they will not ask you to repeat it verbally over the phone.
Review all of your monthly statements as soon as they arrive. Check for unauthorized charges.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of identity theft contact M&T Management. Let a professional help you with identity restoration services.