Why the Social Security number is flawed? For many Americans, companies require your social security number for business, get credit, etc. You as an American are expected to guard this number, so does the our government not stop businesses from requesting it? Cause it recognizes you on a Federal level. It is a Federal ID. So how can a hacker get it? Easy... many times companies such as Equifax and others will release the last four of your social security number to prove they are talking about you when doing business. So now a hacker has your last four. So what? So, the first three of your social security can be found by researching the social securitys own web site, ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v45n11/v45n11p29.pdf. So now they have seven of nine numbers. The last two (middle two numbers) numbers are the group number... this can be found quiet easily, you only have to try 100 times to find it. A hacker(s) will try until they get denied, wait, and try the next series until they get it right. But they have to know my address, birthday... right? Google and Bing to the hackers rescue. Many companies will put your birthday and address on the web. Google goes as far as working as a white pages phone book too. If you have a listed phone number, enter it in Google and you will get the persons name and address. So now they have your address, phone number, birthday, and trying enough times they get your social security number. Now to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to see previous addresses, where you have credit, and worse who you have negative credit with. Now it is time to call you, they will call with their new found data and convince you to pay them money... dont do it. Protect your social security number, contact your government official and ask for a better system. This is their product, it is broken, and the burden of proof when your identity has been damaged is on you... not the business, not the government. So if your doing business on the web, protect your customers, protect their data. Contact w3secure to help you protect your brand , your customers, and your data.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Feb 2014 00:37:53 +0000