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Credit Card Hackers Target Hospitality Companies

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This week, many media reported that hotels become the most visited place by credit card hackers. Among all the credit card hacking cases, 38% involved with hotels, 19% with financial services industry, 14.2% with retails, and 13% with restaurants and bars (The New York Times). By combining the figures of hotels, restaurants, and bars, 52% of these cases were associated with the hospitality industry.

Large amount of daily credit card transactions in the service industry attracts hackers. Media also believes that hotels’ inadequate data security creates opportunities for hackers. So far, credit card companies have been pushing merchants to adopt uniform security standards. I believe it is time for hotels and restaurants to reevaluate their existing data security systems.

As to customers, I offered some tips on how to protect our privacy during a hotel stay in my March 7’s discussion. I hope I will see some improvements from the industry next year.

References:
The New York Times (July 5): http://tinyurl.com/linchikwokblog07082010-2
Picture was downloaded from NowPublic.com: http://tinyurl.com/linchikwokblog07082010P
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  1. VAliceDecember 21, 2012 at 12:46 AM

    If your on a public wifi spot on a secure page (https) it is possible like for hackers to "sniff" your SSL traffic.. This means they can swipe your passwords - email, facebook, banking, UK payday loans online forms ect.... Don't believe me? Just google the word "faceniff". It's an android app that is designed to steal fb passwords with ease. The ONLY way to secure your personal safety on public wifi netoworks is through a VPN. An OpenVPN connection like offered by TorGuard will create an encrypted traffic tunnel that hides your traffic on the local wifi network. Using a VPN is the only way to guard your privacy at a public wifi hotspot.

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