Idea of the Day - A new idea each day. Some Don't Suck!

Our Latest Posts About: Identity Theft

Understanding 2 Factor Security

Sunday, October 2, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Here's a quick overview of how 2 factor security works, and why it's so important to turn on.

One of the most common ways a hacker gains access to a victim's account is by tricking them into giving away their password. The easiest way to do that is by sending them a fake email that looks like it came from their bank or a trusted company like Google that contains links to a fake login page. Because the fake page will have the same logos and layout as the real thing, it's very hard to tell it's not real.

Since the fake login page looks exactly like a page the victim is familiar with, they willingly enter their ID and password, which then sends that information to the identity thief. Once the thief has the victim's ID and password, they can take over the account and cause dam... [More]

Continue...Understanding 2 Factor Security...

Why Security Questions Are NOT Secure

Friday, September 30, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

I hate when a website forces me to answer Security Questions, because I know they are NOT Secure.

Identity theft is a serious problem these days, so just about every major website that keeps personal records uses some form of additional security, unfortunately most of them still use Security Questions as their only defense, which is a joke, because they are anything but secure.

The problem is the questions most sites use are completely pointless, and guessable. What good is asking somebody to enter their mother's maiden name, or the names of aunts, uncles, siblings or cousins, when there are a number of websites that will give them the answer. Anyone who understands how to use Facebook can find your mother's maiden name in seconds.

Even if you don't use Facebook, or mark... [More]

Continue...Why Security Questions Are NOT Secure...

How Banks Can Make Checking Accounts More Secure

Sunday, September 4, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Checking accounts are NOT secure. Here's how they can fix it.

As I've mentioned in an earlier post, paying bills by writing a check is NOT secure, because every time you give somebody a paper check, you are also giving them everything they need to access your checking account, including your account number and even the bank's routing number.

Meanwhile, people go out of their way to shred bank statements, deposit slips, and anything that shows their account number, but they hand out checks that contain exactly that.

The solution is to have the banks issue checks WITHOUT your account number on them. Each check would have a unique one time use code that is different on each check that is linked back to your account. Since each check would have a unique code, the recipient of... [More]

Continue...How Banks Can Make Checking Accounts More Secure...

Why Paying Bills With a Check is Not Secure.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

People go out of their way to shred anything with their account number, but they forget about the most obvious document, a check.

I know a lot of people who refuse to use the Internet to pay their bills. To them, there's no substitute for the "Security" of hand writing their checks, and putting them into an envelope. After all, everyone knows how insecure the "InterWeb" can be... Right?

The truth is, every time you hand somebody a check, you are not only giving them your bank account, but everything they need to take advantage of it, including your name, address, and even the routing number.

All an identity thief needs to access your account is right there in black and white. An identity thief who takes a job processing checks can simply write down, or even take a photo... [More]

Continue...Why Paying Bills With a Check is Not Secure....

Sometimes "Complex Passwords" Can Be Dangerous

Thursday, May 19, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Sometimes "Complex Passwords" are essential. Sometimes they're not.

Strong Passwords are the kinds of passwords that are designed to be harder to guess because they're longer, and require you to use a mixture of capital letters, numbers and even punctuation characters.

Since Strong Passwords are designed to protect you from bad guys, you may be wondering why I'm telling you how dangerous they can be. For this that hold personal or financial information, a Strong Password is essential. In fact, I think those kinds of sites not only should have Strong Passwords, they should also require a 2-step verification that sends validation codes via your phone.

My problem isn't with those kinds of sites. I have a big problem with sites that don't hold private information that ask y... [More]

Continue...Sometimes "Complex Passwords" Can Be Dangerous...

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* Note: The ideas on "Idea of the Day" were posted without any formal research into existing inventions.

In some cases, patents may already exist for these ideas, in other cases, there may not be any existing patents and you are free to develop and explore the viability of developing and patenting the ideas.

The authors make no claim that any of the ideas are safe, practical, or suitable for any particular purpose. You are responsible for the results of trying, developing, patenting or using any of the ideas on this site.

For some people, our ideas are just an interesting read, but our goal is to encourage you to take action. If you see an idea that you like, do something with it... Take action.

- Joe

Idea Of The Day. A new Idea Each Day. Some Don't Suck.

Our Latest Posts About: Identity Theft

Here's a quick overview of how 2 factor security works, and why it's so important to turn on.

I hate when a website forces me to answer Security Questions, because I know they are NOT Secure.

Checking accounts are NOT secure. Here's how they can fix it.

People go out of their way to shred anything with their account number, but they forget about the most obvious document, a check.

Sometimes "Complex Passwords" are essential. Sometimes they're not.

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