MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Target data theft exposes threat to all of us

Dec 19, 2013, 7:10 PM | Updated: 7:17 pm

With Target admitting hackers got access to about 40 million credit and debit cards, security experts are warning we should all take steps to protect ourselves regardless of whether we shopped at Target or not.

“They do a very good job of managing data. If they can lose control of this much data, then anyone can,” says Christopher Budd, a Seattle-based security communications specialist with Trend Micro.

Target says anyone who made purchases by swiping cards at terminals in its U.S. stores between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15 may have had their accounts exposed. The stolen data includes customer names, credit and debit card numbers, card expiration dates and the three-digit security codes located on the backs of cards.

Budd says the first thing Target customers should do is check their credit card statements and look for any suspicious activity. But he says just as big a threat is identity theft. The hackers can easily use the information to open fraudulent accounts and wreak havoc on people’s financial lives. And he says don’t wait until you get notified to find out.

“The longer it takes you to find it out, the more damage they can do and the harder it is to undo the damage,” he says.

Budd recommends we all sign up for real-time identity theft protection, which constantly monitors your credit report and other financial information and notifies you immediately if anything out of the ordinary shows up.

Services such as Identity Guard offer a variety of options including social security number monitoring and identity thief victim assistance for anywhere from $9.99 per month to $24.99 per month depending on the level of protection.

“The same way you run real time anti-virus on your computer, we’re at the point where you basically need that to protect your identity,” he says. “We have so much personal information out there that we’ve reached a tipping point. If Target can’t protect your information, then how is your doctor’s office – with all of the health care stuff going on – going to protect all your personal information?”

The Associated Press contributed to this report

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

2 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

6 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

8 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

9 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

10 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

12 hours ago

Target data theft exposes threat to all of us