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Security Industry News Wrap-up – ID Theft – ActivIdentity Blog

In this week’s industry news wrap-up, we’ll take a look at the recent attack on a prominent company, arrests made in an ID theft bust and how cellphones may compromise network security. Here are the stories that caught our attention:

Sony Falls Under Attack Again As Hackers Crack 93,000 User IDs
It was only a few months ago that Sony was affected by a series of attacks, leaving millions of users’ data vulnerable to data theft. Our own Chris Harget, senior product marketing manager, was quoted in Tim Wilson’s article, saying “Some users simplify managing multiple online identities by using common credentials across multiple accounts … The result is that if their gmail or hotmail or Facebook account is compromised, then their eTrade or Citibank or corporate network credentials could be compromised.” He goes on to argue that two-factor authentication could help mitigate this problem.

111 arrested in massive ID theft bust
Last Friday, 111 bank tellers, retail workers, waiters and alleged criminals were arrested for what is being called the biggest identity theft bust in U.S. history. The two-year law enforcement operation – “Operation Swiper” – targeted five groups of criminals that were responsible for stealing more than $13 million in less than a year and a half. Among the companies credited with helping the investigation are Apple, Best Buy, Nordstrom, Macy’s and a handful of financial institutions.

Cellphones Will Become a Way to Attack Otherwise Protected Devices
As companies move toward a culture that embraces its employees’ decision to bring their own devices to work, security experts argue that mobile phones will become “an increasing menace to network security.” Similar to malware infecting laptops through thumb drives, phones that are compromised run the risk of infecting machines when docked to sync or plugged into USB ports to charge. Additionally, it is reported that touch screens have the potential to make users more susceptible to clicking links that lead to malicious sites and subsequently “drive-by” malware downloads.

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