advertisement
advertisement

The Dumbest Wireless Security Errors

Written by Frank Hayes
August 19th, 2010
For years, chief security officers have viewed wireless security as a contradiction-in-terms punchline. But with PCI rules clamping down and cyberthieves sniffing around for whatever holes they can find, wireless security has stopped being funny. Still, either through ignorance or carelessness, many retailers have been caught doing some pretty ridiculous things when deploying wireless security.

From a gas-station chain that tested security by calling the attendants to ask if rogue devices were attached to a grocery chain that tried to scare off hackers by using extra-long SSIDs, AirTight Networks' Anthony Paladino has seen more than a few absurdities in his efforts to plug wireless leaks. He talked about them in the first of two StorefrontBacktalk podcasts on worst practices in wireless security. To listen to the podcast, please click here.

This Story Is Only Available For Premium Subscribers. Click Or Login In Below To Read The Rest Of This Story.

Posted in In-Store, Mobile/Wireless/Contactless, Premium Content, Security/Fraud, Supply Chain
advertisement

Leave a Reply

Readers, specifically those who want to comment on a story:
Our Comment SPAM system is getting very aggressive these days and has been blocking legitimate comments. If you post a comment and don't see it appear within 2 hours or so, can you please send a heads-up to customer-service@storefrontbacktalk.com? Ideally, please include the time you posted the comment. That will allow us to try and hunt for it. Thanks! P.S. We're working on fixing the system, but we don't want to lose any valuable comments in the meantime.

Weekly, Monthly Newsletters

Quickly catch-up on the latest in E-Commerce and Retail Tech with our free weekly report, with urgent bulletins as news merits—along with our monthlies on Mobile, Security, In-Store, E-Commerce and CRM.
advertisement

Most Recent Comments

"I have strong reservations about the 'individual' certification and posting of that information for merchants. Can you imagine the potential employee poaching that might occur? The implications when competitors can look up how many are certified with each of their competitors? " -Christine

MasterCard Aims To Take Mobile Wallet Rivals Apart

Adrian Lane
Could you please validate the use of tokenization in the wallet's payment scheme? I'm looking at the wallet API and there is no mention of tokenization, only OAUTH identity tokens. Read more...

P2PE: No Cakewalk for Merchants, But There May Be No Alternative For Reducing Scope

Jaime
Walt, what are your thoughts on the applicability of P2PE to merchants who process using a mobile phone application with a swiper? I've asked a few QSA's this question and feeling seems to vary on whether a compliant POI device connected through the phone to a compliant gateway, etc. would allow the merchant to qualify. The crux of the conflict seems to be whether the phone remains in scope as part of the processing environment, or if it can be considered removed because the data is encrypted while being passed to the gateway through an app or the browser. Read more...

Considering An Operations Person For An Open IT Position? Don't Do It

Chris
I have an ops mentality but have worked directly or indirectly in IT for over 30 years. I think, naturally, young people and/or go-getter personality types are, by nature, "operations" types. However, as responsibility, experience, and maturity increases, people who may even be naturally "ops-oriented" can and should make the transition to an "IT" mentality like that you describe above. My boss is, by background, an "operations" person who never had a strong technical background or interest. Very smart, and capable when focused, but not that turned on by learning the intricacies of "how stuff works." In other words, despite over 20 years in the "IT" industry, still fixing tractors in the field. Read more...
Todd Michaud
I think that the more that both sides understand where the other is coming from, the better off everyone will be. I find that taking the time to ask someone "why" (is something being done that way, is that decision made, is this project important) can at least provide a good starting point. Read more...

Walmart's Online Cash Creates New Fraud Problem

ed
Wal-Mart pay-with-cash for online orders is a big benefit for resellers and suppliers versus reselling their products through eBay or Amazon.com. A startup supplier or product manufacturer no longer need to meet Wal-Mart strict specifications and minimum order requirement to stock products for sale in-store. They can now market throught Wal-Mart.com to a bigger crowd that can also pay with cash and use Wal-Mart expansive logistic system to deliver just-in-time. Read more...

"Careless" Systems Integrators Now Directly Under PCI DSS

Kat Valentine
This exact issue has been bothering me for years, and I was JUST talking about it with someone only yesterday. This may well be my favorite article, mostly because I'm biased and have hated this particular problem forever. Read more...
Nathan
Good article, but how does this have anything to do with the DSS? Read more...
Walt Conway
Actually, the QIR program has a lot to do with the DSS (or PCI). Since merchants rely on their reseller or integrator to implement their PA-DSS validated application, these resellers and system integrators play a critical role in merchants achieving and maintaining PCI compliance. As far as I can tell, the QIR program is designed to help merchants stay compliant by making sure their payment applications are installed according to the PA-DSS Implementation Guide, for example ensuring default passwords are changed (and protected), that the data encryption keys are properly set and secured, that the merchant's data retention policy is set, that no sensitive cardholder data are stored, and often that a firewall is in place and properly configured. Read more...
Cory
Although this is a great move forward in pushing the issue of highly trained people, it is also a good marketing ploy for the council. It begs the question: How much do they stand to make? The problem for this is that for people (like myself) that are just starting out their own business venture, PCI has typically charged a premium for their training and certifications. This change will likely force those of us with less capital to spin into the abyss. I have more than 15 years in the security and compliance fields with heavy hitter certs like CISSP, CRISC, and Sec+. There should not be a guide but a free test or a pre-requisite of either the PCI cert OR other heavy hitter certs. I just don't want the good guys in small places to get flushed out. Read more...
Christine
The ETA recently launched the Certified Payment Professional program, which charges $425 for non-members to take the test, assuming they meet the 'experience' requirement, to PROVE they are a professional. And they'll have to take it every 3 years. Worthy program, but high cost. Plus, only a select few were allowed to be in the first class, and there are only 4 test windows per year currently. So being on the registry simply means, you were lucky enough to get picked, nothing to do with skill level. Read more...
Walt Conway
@Cory: Thanks for your comment and question about the pricing of the QIR training. I raised that question in a conversation with Bob Russo last week, and I will address it in a follow-up column in a few days. While the pricing is not yet set, hopefully it will not be too great a burden for you or other integrators/resellers. We'll have to see, though. Read more...

Macy's, Amazon CFOs Say The Darndest Things

Andy
Amazon only collects state sales taxes today in five states. The comment from Amazon CFO Thomas Szkutak is misleading because he is factoring all overseas sales in, and they must collect VAT taxes in Europe. Their collection percentage is miniscule in the United States and they are using this 50 percent number to mislead the public. Read more...
StorefrontBacktalk
Our apologies. Due to legal and security copyright issues, we can't facilitate the printing of Premium Content. If you absolutely need a hard copy, please contact customer service.