Is Your Data Safe on the Wireless Internet?

A recent "hack” of North American customer data at Citibank is just the latest cyber-attack on sensitive data at a major international corporation. Since this is the biggest attack on a financial institution arguably of all time, there seems to be renewed attention on whether companies are doing enough to keep information submitted through wireless Internet service and other electronic means safe. Unfortunately, the answer to this question is a mixed bag at best.



Recently, hackers were able to make off with names and contact information for about 200,000 Citibank customers in North America. Luckily, the data did not include credit card numbers or security codes, but it seems that more than enough information was absconded with for there to be real concerns over identity theft for affected customers. Citibank has promised to contact all affected customers to provide them with information on how to mitigate the effects of the attack, but the institution's credibility is somewhat damaged by how it handled these circumstances. Specifically, Citigroup, the parent company of Citibank, knew about the data breach in question approximately one month before it informed the public. Citibank is also not gaining credibility for trying to minimize the impact of the attack when it is obvious that any single attack that exposed sensitive information for 1 out of very 100 customers would be considered successful by any standards. Citibank, of course, was victim to a particularly insidious scheme in 2008, when hackers were able to access servers to get information that allowed them to withdrawn $750,000 from Citibank ATMs.



The Citibank hack followed on the heels of a particularly insidious series of hacks of Sony data that put the data of literally tens of millions of users at risk, including credit card information. Like Citibank, Sony did not come forward initially with the true extent of the attack on their data, and Sony is now being sued in connection with one of the earlier, largest leaks. Other large companies, such as Google, have also been subject to the recent hacking wave. Government agencies and members of Congress are now introducing new rules and regulations to mandate stronger protection for Internet consumers, but these are widely expected to be fought tooth and nail by the companies that would be affected. Until new security rules are put in place, how can you ensure that your wireless Internet experience isn't compromising your personal information or even your credit card numbers?



Short of stopping the giving away of your personal information on the Internet entirely, which is likely a fool's errand anyway, one of the truly effective things you can do to safeguard your wireless Internet service is not to use public wi-fi networks. Programs like "Firesheep” can turn anyone into a hacker over public wi-fi, for example. Aside from this, there doesn't seem to be much else to do other than sit tight and hope it all works out—somehow.



An Atlanta Clear Wireless Internet online offer or an offer for your city can provide you with service you can use to find out more about this issue.