Thursday, December 19, 2013

Target Website Hacked & a Jewish Flash Mob in Argentina

Article: Target has just discovered that its website was hacked between Nov. 27 (start of Black Friday weekend) and Dec 15. This means 40 million customers' information is in jeopardy: credit card information; passwords; names; etc. This is likely the largest successful cyber-hacking of a retailer in history. Customers are warned to check their credit cards and bank accounts for irregular activity; also to beware of emails soliciting them in upcoming days. Credit card companies have assured customers of zero-liability protection. The hackers have yet to be discovered; law enforcement is actively using forensics to locate them.

Video for fun: flash mob in Argentina dancing to Jewish yiddishe music.

Discussion:
  • Two days ago, we spoke of a con-man and how police found him. How? (Fingerprints). Today's crime involves cyber fraud. This is a white collar crime. Discuss difference between cyber hacking v. in-store robbery. Who are the victims? How is it different? 
  • Why is it harder for police to find these bad guys? What will they be charged with when found? (Stealing; fraud)
  • What are ways of protecting yourself from online fraud? (Change your passwords frequently; never respond or click on emails from people you don't know)

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