On Dec. 19, 2013, Target reported that betweenNov. 27 and Dec. 15, 2013, 40 million customers had their credit card information stolen by hackers. As of Jan. 13, 110 million customers had been affected.
According to CNN, further investigation into the hacking of credit and debit card numbers revealed that encrypted PIN numbers for debit cards had been stolen. The investigation also revealed an additional breach involving data such as customer names and phone numbers. This breach affected nearly 70 million customers. Target said it was notifying as many customers as it could, and that they would provide free credit monitoring and identity theft protection.
Junior Natalie Heyen had her credit card information compromised through the Target hacking. She said she was pleased with how quickly her credit card provider, Chase, came to the rescue.
“I got an email from Chase saying they thought that my card had been one that might be at risk,” Heyen said. “They immediately sent me a new card with a new number.”
According to CNN, dozens of lawsuits were filed against Target in the days after it announced the breach last month. Target said that sales dipped as much as 6 percent after it first revealed publicly that it had been hacked. Senior Andrew Emerson, a Dormnet student worker, encouraged students to be aware of new threats. He said to know what websites you are on and keep business to reputable sites.
“When it comes to computers, you’re only as good as your weakest link,” Emerson said. “Hackers are always going to find a way.”
Keith Cronk, vice president of information systems and technology, said in the Target case, it was not a database, but their web server that was breached by the hackers.
Hackers gained access to the information by loading malware on the point of sale terminals at the cash registers.
In addition to exercising precaution in stores when using a credit card, Cronk gave tips for keeping information safe while shopping online.
1. Stick to known vendors. Never take an offer from a website you do not know.
2. Look for https:// in a web address. Do not put information on a site unless it has https:// at the beginning of its URL.
3. Do not use public computers to order products online. Do not use WiFi hotspots. There are secured wireless networks all over campus, not just in the dorms. There is also an open network (unsecured) network. You should always use the secured network. You know it is secured because there will be some form of authentication required when you join the network.
4. Check bank accounts regularly. Set up accounts to alert you when suspicious activity occurs within your account. Be vigilant.
