CR80News | Just say 'no' to emails requesting user names and passwords

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

That’s the word from Stanford’s Information Technology Services in response to phony emails that have been sent to students that seek their user name and password. The emails are similar to scammers seeking bank account numbers. For example, one email sent to Stanford students included the subject line “Webmail users maintenance notice,” and requested recipients to send their user email ID and password to the fictitious “email Management Team.”

Some fake messages use fear. One email that circulated on campus last summer carried the subject line “Warning Notice!!!” and asked recipients to send their SUNet ID and password to a phony “upgrade team” to avoid having their email accounts “terminated immediately.”

An UConn computer with the names and Social Security Numbers of more than 10,000 university applicants was stolen, according to a local news report.

The computer, stolen from an IT storage cabinet at university’s West Hartford campus, had applicant files ranging from 2004 through July 30. UConn officials are still investigating the theft, which was discovered on Aug. 3.

ID theft prevalent among young adults

It takes young adults–those between the ages of 18 and 24–some 132 days before they realize they’ve had their identity stolen. In that time, they’ve lost five times the amount of money compared to other age groups, according to Washington State University’s student newspaper.

BIO-key to unveil smart phone biometric platform

BIO-key International has announced it will be releasing their first biometric identification and authentication platform secure transmission of captured fingerprint data to a secure server via smart phones, laptops and desktops.

PerSay announces biometric Apple device apps

PerSay, a developer of voice-based identification authentication solutions, has announced the availability of new functionality available for use on Apple devices, such as the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The new technology, called VocalPassword, is designed to replace virtual keyboard use for filling in user names and passwords with voice-based authentication of the user.

VASCO advises schools to secure their online platforms

More schools are now using online platforms to distribute and exchange information, such as course documents and online tests. These same online platforms also serve as an administrative tool, containing personal data on students and staff. To prevent identity and data theft, online applications used by schools and universities need to be protected.

Ghana worker biometrics could solve ghost name problem

Ghana’s major electronic clearing and payment system could provide enough space and communication capabilities to enable adding new purposes for removing ghost payrollers, according to a Peace FM Online article.

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Just say 'no' to emails requesting user names and passwords