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Vasco: Protecting the Amorous from the Amoral this Valentine’s Day
February 2011 by
Online match-making or social networking sites are likely to be even busier in the run up to Valentine’s Day, as singles make an extra effort to find their perfect partner during this romantic time of year. But VASCO Data Security International, Inc. (Nasdaq: VDSI) (www.vasco.com), a leading software security company specialising in authentication products, warns those legitimately seeking a soul mate to be careful about how much information they divulge about themselves to strangers online, as more unscrupulous visitors to match-making and social networking sites could be more interested in capturing the identity of an online dater, rather than capturing their heart.
Match-making and social networking sites provide a convenient and seemingly safe way to make new friends and partners. Site members often share sensitive personal data about themselves including information about where they live, whether they are a student or in employment. These facts are often supported by images and photographs. Despite the value of this information, member’s access to these sites is often regulated by vulnerable, static passwords, which can be pharmed or phished, making it easy to steal password information from an individual. This enables criminals to pose illegitimately as the member either online or offline, and often for nefarious purposes.
VASCO advises the use of secure and trusted systems such as VASCO’s DIGIPASS® authentication to mitigate against these attacks and prevent fraudsters from accessing personal details. VASCO’s DIGIPASS for Web is a software-based strong authentication solution, and it is ideal for replacing static password-based security with a higher security level. It presents a secure solution for users wishing to log on to a social networking site, or for conducting banking transactions via the internet, accessing online newspapers they subscribe to, or simply carrying out purchases or transactions online. The level of security offered by DIGIPASS for Web, far exceeds the security level provided by static password systems, and it is extremely easy to use.
Jan Valcke, President and COO at VASCO Data Security, said: “The caution VASCO is urging around Valentine’s Day, should serve as a timely reminder about the need to be extra cautious when logging onto websites and sharing personal data online. This caution should be exercised all year round, as the problem of online identity theft is obviously not restricted to specific celebrations. VASCO’s DIGIPASS for Web exists to protect people whenever they are online.”
