ITU Discusses Online Security For Identification

The 'International Telecommunication Union' (ITU), a Geneva-based branch of U.N. believes that businesses and regulators would benefit themselves by finding a solution to the leakage of personal information on the Internet. This could be accomplished by developing a more 'streamlined identification method'. ITU said, the number of identifiers and passwords required from computer users is so large that it becomes essential to repeat codes.

In its report of 2006, ITU said that this could result in security breaches while the information could become vulnerable to the activities of identity thieves. The report was released prior to an important meeting of governments and industry officials in Hong Kong. The report further pointed out that the dearth of coordination in identification systems leads to the growing inconvenience to users and calls for immediate attention.

Internet banking websites often require an extra password or some other means of two-factor identification. This implies that the mere knowledge of a username and password from another site would not necessarily enable intrusion. Unfortunately, plenty of other sites lack this additional protection. In such cases hackers could hunt out a list of usernames and passwords and by compromising a website use them on others, such as eBay, Hotmail, social networking sites and so on. Thereby, creating havoc. In another situation an untrustworthy Internet café owner or a deceptive friend could create problems after stealing a username and password.

The best solution is to use a variety of usernames and passwords or at least a different password for each site that one visits.

ITU is organizing an event entitled "Countering Spam Cooperation Agenda" on December 8, 2006. This event will be held in collaboration with the Forum at 'ITU, TELECOM WORLD 2006' from December 4-8, 2006 in Hong Kong. Major international and regional organizations will meet to discuss greater joint efforts to fight spam and related threats.

Many organizations all over the globe are engaged in the scuffle against spam. But a solution can only arise when these organizations share their work knowledge, point out the potential overlaps, and resolve those gaps. This workshop would try to work an agenda towards a 'common countering spam'.

Related article: ID Theft Victims Will Double In Next Four Years

» SPAMfighter News - 12/7/2006