(source
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090707_7972.php)
"I don't think this is a high priority, because it doesn't deliver a big enough payoff" for hackers, he said. "You do identify theft so you can steal money, but it's easier to steal money by taking over someone's computer." -Alan Paller
Once again, Paller shows his true misunderstanding of all things security. "It's easier to steal money by taking over someone's computer"?? Mr Paller, I would love to hear your explanation of how this is so.
Sure, you can steal their credit card # and use it to buy some stuff...but how long will that last? It's only a matter of time before that credit card gets disabled, right? And has Paller ever actually used an online bank? I don't know about you, but every online bank I use doesn't allow me to transfer money to an another bank online. But if I have your social security #....the possibilities are endless.
Unless of course Paller has another agenda. *GASP* I don't know about you, but this looks like a classic slight of hand trick to me. I'll let you in on a little secret, Paller can't make money if people aren't paranoid about security. So he downplays a REAL (non computer) security related issue and inserts FUD about a how "
easy" it is to "
steal money by taking over someone's computer".
Get a clue Paller. Why don't you practice working this quote into your repertoire: "No comment." Then use it next time a reporter calls you to pontificate on all things security.
-Chip
