Savvy hackers breach technological defenses with personal touch
Although businesses often spend considerable amounts of time and money setting up network security defenses, employee knowledge regarding proper protocol may be the missing link within a number of organizations.
In her latest Wall Street Journal report, Suzanne Kapner told the story of one data breach in which a customer service representative willingly turned over account numbers and other sensitive information to a fraudulent caller claiming he was worried his wife may have set up an account under a false name.
"It's getting harder for hackers to penetrate firewalls and other technological barriers, so they are reverting to lower-tech methods of attack," information security expert David Kennedy told the news source.
However, a number of business managers are concerned that more exhaustive security measures may prolong simple transactions and frustrate customers, according to Kapner.
In any case, consumers may benefit from taking a more active role in online security protection.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, shoppers should only do business with online retailers with secure HTTPS connections. Consumers are also encouraged to develop more complicated passwords and update them regularly. Using a password organizer can facilitate this process and keep all account information in a safe, centralized location.
