Feds Arrest Hackers of TJX, Other Retailers in Huge Conspiracy Bust

[Daniel ~]

Written by Daniel
Wednesday, 06 August 2008
Eleven perpetrators held responsible for online theft and sale of more than 40 million credit and debit cards

AUGUST 5, 2008 | 4:15 PM
By Tim Wilson
Site Editor, Dark Reading

Eleven perpetrators allegedly involved in the hacking of nine major U.S. retailers and the theft and sale of more than 40 million credit and debit card numbers have been charged with engineering the largest hacking and identity theft conspiracy ever prosecuted by the Department of Justice... [Frontpage...]

[Daniel ~]

I caught a bit in the news this morning...seems that Card number and ID thieves are installing Two kinds of devices on gas pumps (one) that use keyhole cameras to grab pin numbers. they install them inside the pump casing and /or (wasn't clear to me) out side on the pump with molded plastic to blend to the pump, even matching pump color.

This maybe the end of plastic money if they can't deal with the threats...Opinions? ":O}

[cloasters]

I hope that these bahstages don't go to a country club prison. The problem with using cash is that the large brother can't track you as well.

[Rondog]

They more than likely will. Without knowing a lot about the U S of A legal system, here in Aus (which I imagine is similar), unless they are violent crimes, most crims go to minimum security AKA Country Club Prisons.

Daniel ~ : I disagree, I think it would take more than that to end plastic money, I think it may change its form though. I've heard stories about trials being held for credit card details embedded in mobile phones which you just need to swipe over a scanner.

Personally, I think finger and retina scanners would be great. Link everything to it in a centralised database, DOB, name, drivers license details, bank details, address, TFN (social security number), ABN (Australian Business Number), car registration etc etc. The list is potentially endless. The downside, if its compromised, the attacker would have everything about everyone. Which in actual fact, puts us back to square one! :\

[Gizmo]

Possibly, but who manages the central database? I trust the government even less than I trust a corporation: corporations at least can be relied on to do what they believe to be in their own best interests, thus making their behavior at least somewhat predictable. Who can tell with politicians?

[Rondog]

But yet we trust them with all our information already. They have everything I said in the previous post, but in different branches of government.

I wholeheartedly agree with you, people willingly hand over business details to accountants, they have over their drivers license to police, no one hands over anything to the government if they can avoid it.

Which still begs an answer to your question Gizmo, who manages the database?

Well, I for one, vote us!

Yes, us as in AOA.

[PorPorMe]

Great. AOA wins the bid. We are in the fat. NOT!!!
Do you have any idea how may of those government people you would have looking up your bung with a flashlight? Are you mad! Little Dudly Dorights every where you look with little white clipboards and #2 pencils. Is this what you want for AOA? For ME?

[Rondog]

Originally Posted by PorPorMe

Do you have any idea how may of those government people you would have looking up your bung with a flashlight?

Is the answer 7?

Well its all at least a couple of years away so you in the mean time practise yoga exercises for body flexibility.

[PorPorMe]

The future looks bleak, indeed.