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Identity Theft Labs

Commentary

Wake Up! Certificates and Keys Can’t Cut It Anymore

Recent events have revealed that cryptographic keys and digital certificates aren’t being used in an effective way. First, there was the DarkHotel campaign that targeted several traveling executives by taking advantage of misused digital certificates. Then the WireLurker malware Trojan allowed hackers to upload software onto iOS devices using compromised keys and certificates. This has to stop.

The infosec industry needs to wake up. Millions have been spent on keys and certificates to protect networks, data, and apps from being compromised, yet hackers already know how to get around them. The trust on digital systems for banking, mobile apps, and businesses is based on these certificates and keys, so change is needed in order to maintain that trust. For a full article on this topic, click here:: The Week When Attacks Started Winning the War On Trust
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Phone Privacy Vs. Perceived Benefits

What would it take you to give up your cell phone privacy? In some cases, this is an option in order to financially benefit you. In others, well, you’ve already given up on privacy with your vote.

Governments have sacrificed your phone privacy in favor of safety. There is a rise in phone tapping in order to sniff out terrorist attacks before they start. This is controversial and there are flaws in finding correct targets, but if there is a movement to end tapping phones, it will take time for the government to change according to the will of the people.

Employers also give employees the option to give up their personal phone privacy for the sake of business purposes. By offering financial restitution, employers can control what data is on their employees’ phones along with location information and other means to monitor them. While this doesn’t mean employers will automatically do unethical spying on their employees, it does invite the scenario. So you have to ask yourself, are these benefits truly worth being under the microscope? For a full article on this topic, click here:: Phone Privacy
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Misconceptions About Identity Theft

There are many assumptions made about identity theft and identity theft recovery that are simply false. Many of these misconceptions are made through word-of-mouth, assurances by corporations, or other factors. While no one can truly blame them, you know the old saying about when people ass-u-me.

First, recovering your identity isn’t easy. Hours and hours of fraud alerts, credit freezes, and other repair methods car occur. Next, depending on your bank or credit card, you might not get your money back or be reimbursed. It is not guaranteed nor is it speedy. Also, having law enforcement to get involved to bring perpetrators to justice. Keeping this mind will allow you know what to truly expect and reinforce your resolve to protect your identity in the first place. For a full article on this topic, click here:: Don’t believe these 5 myths about identity theft
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Internet Voting Has a Long Way to Go

Accurate voting is imperative in order for people’s candidate to become elected or a new legislation to pass. We are aware of the controversial “hanging chad” issues during the 2000 presidential election and that was with physical votes. Voting on the Internet needs more safeguards before it can be fully endorsed.

While internet voting has been implemented in Alaska and New Jersey as an option, a Galois attack can easily install malware into a voter’s device that can redirect traffic or deny service. This subtle attack can prevent votes from being collected, much less seen. While progress marches onward, we might have to keep voting as an analog practice until it is fully figured out and protected. For a full article on this topic, click here:: Internet Voting Hack Alters PDF Ballots in Transmission
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Identity Theft: Not Just For Adults

It’s bad enough that people need to constantly stay vigilant with their bank records, passwords, and anti-virus software to protect their identities, but there are also overlooked victims of identity theft: children. The saddest part is that many kids won’t know that is the case until years and years later when they become adults.

Criminals use social security numbers from children, even babies, to obtain credit cards, mortgages, utilities, and other items. Often it is not until they are trying to apply for college loans or car loans when they realize someone had sabotaged their credit score years later. The Federal Trade Commission reports that kids are 51 times more likely to have their social security number stolen. States are slowly but surely addressing this issue by passing legislation that doesn’t allow minors to open credit until they’re 16 years of age. For a full article on this troubling trend, click here:: Child Identity Theft on the Rise
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