Privacy

apple

Apple Pulls Anti-Virus Advice Due To Bad PR?

According to Computerworld, Apple yanked a "controversial" support document from its website Tuesday, after it began a heated debate among the Apple faithful. What was the controversial advice? Apple suggested its users run anti-virus software. More »

1:49 PM on Thu Dec 4 2008
By Meg Marco
6,277 views, 83 comments

id theft

Bank Sends You Another Copy Of Your Credit Card Just To Remind You To Use It

Here's a weird story. Chris at PhillyBurbs.com was dealing with some ID theft problems (random charges were showing up on his credit cards) when he got a random credit card in the mail. It was an extra copy of a card he did indeed have. Wondering if someone was trying to get copies of his cards — he contacted the bank: More »

4:10 PM on Wed Nov 12 2008
By Meg Marco
12,069 views, 34 comments

Most discussed dodongo: I've had exactly this happen to me with Discover. They were nice enough to follow it up with a more »

Can I Change My Social Security Number?

Concerned about a recent incident in which his wife's social security number may have been exposed (by a Bank of America employee, but that's another story), Christian wants to know if you can change your social security number. In special circumstances, yes, the Social Security Administration will change your number. You need to show proof that 1) you've suffered harm from someone misusing your ss# and 2) you've made all reasonable efforts to otherwise solve the problem i.e. credit report freezes, closing accounts and changing account numbers, etc. If both of these apply, then you can simply visit your local SSA office, call, or visit www.ssa.gov/reach.htm.

When Someone Else Uses Your Social Security Number [SSA.gov]

11:00 AM on Mon Nov 3 2008
By Ben Popken
5,135 views, 23 comments

Most discussed Mr-Mr: I'm not sure. I know that you can request a Tax Identification Number. more »

how to

The Idiot-Proof Way To Securely Use Public Wi-Fi

We talk a lot on this blog about personal data and privacy, but not so much about how to secure that data on your own computer. That's because a.) we're not Lifehacker and b.) the solutions frequently bloat into crazy, jargon-filled recipes that scare away the non-IT crowd. Not this time! For all you novices, here is a single idea you should consider that will help keep your personal data personal, and make your identity that much harder to steal. More »

1:30 PM on Mon Oct 6 2008
By Chris Walters
46,459 views, 76 comments

Most discussed mariospants: Just a question for you uber geeks: after a little researching, I could find no real way (outside of the more »

privacy

New Color Coded Hospital Bracelets Save Lives, But Raise Privacy Concerns

Confusion about what those color coded bracelets mean can cause deadly medical mistakes, but if the bracelets are standardized — is everyone going to know your business? More »

12:19 PM on Thu Sep 25 2008
By Meg Marco
7,938 views, 103 comments

followups

Comcast Admits Error In Requiring SSN Under "Patriot Act"

Comcast's customer service czar Frank responded to our post "Comcast: "The Patriot Act" Mandates We Need Your SSN" by saying it was an error on part of the agent. Via Twitter he said: More »

10:16 PM on Tue Sep 23 2008
By Ben Popken
19,000 views, 23 comments

Most discussed Antediluvian: "We have coached them" ?I assume he means "we have coached them to ask for it."Probably "we have coached them, more »

privacy

How To Get Utilities And Phone Service Without Giving Up Your SSN

As several readers discussed in yesterday's post, utility, phone, and cable companies usually require your Social Security number in order to perform a credit check before activating service. You don't have to provide it, but they don't have to extend their services to you either. Here's one reader's explanation of how he was able to turn on water, electricity, gas, and an AT&T land line without turning over his SSN. More »

2:35 PM on Tue Sep 23 2008
By Chris Walters
22,703 views, 76 comments

Most discussed Pylon83: I don't understand why people are so scared to give up their SSN to companies with whom they are going more »

LPC

LPC Has Pre-Approved Your Neighbor For Credit—Please Let Him Know

Erin writes:

I just opened my mail for today. I just received a pre-approved credit card application and they ::oops:: included another one for my neighbor, in my envelope.

Gosh, that doesn't sound very secure. More »

8:02 PM on Mon Sep 22 2008
By Chris Walters
6,663 views, 21 comments

comcast

Comcast: "The Patriot Act" Mandates We Need Your SSN

Ryan wanted to order new Comcast service but balked at their request for a Social Security number. When he asked why they needed it, the Comcast chat rep said "The Patriot Act" required it. That doesn't sound right to us, or to Ryan. His story and full screenshot of the chat, inside...

UPDATE 1:How To Get Utilities And Phone Service Without Giving Up Your SSN
UPDATE 2: Comcast Admits Error In Requiring SSN Under "Patriot Act" More »

2:43 PM on Mon Sep 22 2008
By Ben Popken
91,281 views, 104 comments

Most discussed Lucky225: 42 USC 408 (a) (8) states: (a) In general Whoever- (8) discloses, uses, or compels the disclosure of the social security more »

privacy

Online 'Security Questions' Can Be Too Easy To Crack

The ease with which a student was able to reset Sarah Palin's Yahoo email password highlights a vulnerability of so-called "challenge questions" designed to verify your identity: if the questions are about personal details from your life, there's a risk that somewhere out there on the web, that info is visible to the public. That might be a realistic risk only for public figures, but it's also possible that friends or family members could answer your questions with a little guesswork. If you want better security, make up fake answers that you'll remember. More »

2:36 PM on Fri Sep 19 2008
By Chris Walters
6,796 views, 49 comments

Most discussed testsicles: Another good tip I read was to create a stand pin that you take onto the beginning or end of more »

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