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Protecting Your Identity
Thieves are no longer only after your wallet, jewels or other precious belongings. Instead, they want you. Learn how to protect yourself and what to do if you're a victim.
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Researchers have found that it is possible to guess many -- if not all -- of the nine digits in an individual's Social Security number using publicly available information, a finding they say compromises the security of one of the most widely used consumer identifiers in the United States.
The Obama administration will proceed with a Bush-era plan to use National Security Agency assistance in screening government computer traffic on private-sector networks, with AT&T as the likely test site, according to three current and former government officials.
Privacy Headlines
Blood Samples Raise Questions of Privacy: Some Samples Are Stored and Used For Research Without Parents' Consent (Post, June 30, 2009)
Biotech Start-Ups Show Dedication, Line Up Again for Tax Credits (By Kim Hart, June 29, 2009)
Administration Kills Bush Program to Give Police Access to Spy Satellite Data: Democrat Calls Bush Program 'Ill-Conceived' (Post, June 24, 2009)
Credit Score Shell Game: As High Scores Vanish, Borrowers' Luck Runs Out (Post, June 21, 2009)
Facebook Taps Privacy Hawk as Lobbyist: Former ACLU Counsel Working to Build Technology Firm's Beltway Clout (Post, June 19, 2009)
Administration Plans to Replace Controversial Real ID Initiative (Post, June 14, 2009)
Use of Tax Records in Colorado Immigrant Probe Questioned (Post, June 1, 2009)
The Nexus of Life and Law (By Howard Kurtz, May 28, 2009; 8:34 AM)
Secretly Selling Sotomayor (By Howard Kurtz, May 27, 2009; 9:40 AM)
Interior Botches Officials' Passports, Report Finds (Post, May 27, 2009)
Allegations of Impropriety Surround the Little-Known U.S. Parole Commission: Mystery Develops At Little-Known Federal Office (Post, May 26, 2009)
Be Careful Online: Not Everyone Is a True 'Friend' (By Michelle Singletary, May 14, 2009)
Obama Aides Debate Role Of Proposed Cyber Czar (Post, May 13, 2009)
Hackers Say They Have Va. Prescription Drug Data, Demand $10 Million: Theft of Va. Patient Records Claimed (Post, May 8, 2009)
High Court to Look at Life Sentences for Juveniles (Post, May 5, 2009)
Swine Flu Is Suspected in Region; WHO Warns of Likely Pandemic: 6 Possible Cases Investigated in Md. as Global Alert Is Raised (Post, April 30, 2009)
Role of Bush NSA Plan Under Review: Obama Administration Faces Privacy, Security Challenges in Defending Cyberspace (Post, April 17, 2009)
Report Says IRS Let Foreigners Take Improper Tax Credits (Post, April 16, 2009)
FAA's Latest Security Challenge Is in Cyber Space, Not the Skies (By Joe Davidson, February 11, 2009)
Lobbying War Ensues Over Digital Health Data: Congress Weighs Impact On Industry, Patients (Post, February 10, 2009)
When Debt Collectors Disrupt Dinner: What to Say, and Not Say, When They Call About the Credit Card (Post, February 1, 2009)
Firm Reports Massive Data Breach From Credit, Debit Transactions (Post, January 21, 2009)
Obama About to Face Tests on Consumer Privacy (Post, January 13, 2009)
Reporter's Death Inspires a Seminar and a Lawsuit (Post, December 18, 2008)
Pair Charged in Identity Theft Scheme: In Similar, Separate Case, D.C. Schools Employee, Friend Sentenced to 6 Months (Post, December 11, 2008)
A Pragmatic Pair Chosen to Confront Terrorism Threat (Post, December 2, 2008)
Obama Team Cautious on Homeland Security Appointment: Next Secretary Inherits a 5-Year-Old Agency Tasked With Border Security, Disaster Response and Terrorism Prevention (Post, November 17, 2008)
Online Privacy Group Seeks Role in Mapping Out Policy: Group Wants Tighter Rules for Collecting, Using Consumer Data (Post, November 17, 2008)
Make a Quick Buck Renting Out Your House on Inauguration Day, but Be Careful (Post, November 16, 2008)
SECURITY BREACH: State Warns Passport Applicants Of Danger of Credit Card Fraud (Post, October 31, 2008)
U.S. Takes Battle Against Iraq Violence to Border (Post, October 30, 2008)
Government to Take Over Airline Passenger Vetting (Post, October 23, 2008)
Supreme Court to Hear Case on Illegal Immigrants' Use of Fake IDs (Post, October 20, 2008; 1:53 PM)
Justices May Take Immigration Cases (Post, October 19, 2008)
Genome Database Will Link Genes, Traits in Public View (Post, October 18, 2008)
Spa Aims to Turn Cold Shoulder Into Warm Embrace (Post, September 28, 2008)
Student Privacy Spotlighted in Va.: Manassas School Board, City Pay in Discrimination Suit; Policies Tightened (Post, September 27, 2008)
Gasoline Depots At Risk Of Fraud: Pr. George's Lax, Audit Declares (Post, September 27, 2008)
AT& T, Verizon to Refrain From Tracking Users Online: Firms Pledge to Get Consent Before Targeting Ads to Consumers (Post, September 26, 2008)
Expanded Powers to Search Travelers at Border Detailed (Post, September 23, 2008)
Hackers Access Palin's Personal E-Mail, Post Some Online (Post, September 18, 2008)
Countrywide Says Customer Data Were Sold: Mortgage Lender Offers to Pay For Credit-Monitoring Service (Post, September 14, 2008)
A Privacy Shield Against the Campaigns (By Shaun Dakin, September 13, 2008)
Looking for a Loan? Start Compiling This Paperwork. (Post, September 13, 2008)
Google Promises Privacy Fixes in Its Chrome Browser (Post, September 9, 2008)
NebuAd Halts Plans For Web Tracking (Post, September 4, 2008)
A Class-Action Settlement for Nearly Every Consumer (By Michelle Singletary, September 4, 2008)
From the Ground Up: With bank loans scarcer, a handful of Web sites help borrowers tap individuals for cash. (Post, August 24, 2008)
Mortgage Shopping, Incognito: Sites Require Fewer Personal Details to Generate Quotes (Post, August 23, 2008)
Keeping the IRS in Check (By Michelle Singletary, August 21, 2008)
Citizens' U.S. Border Crossings Tracked: Data From Checkpoints To Be Kept for 15 Years (Post, August 20, 2008)
License Plate Readers To Be Used In D.C. Area (Post, August 17, 2008)
A Social Network for Your Doctor, Pharmacist and Insurer (Post, August 16, 2008)
Some Web Firms Say They Track Behavior Without Explicit Consent (Post, August 12, 2008)
Yahoo to Make Targeted Ads Optional: Lawmakers Scrutinize Impact of Data Collection on Privacy (Post, August 8, 2008)
11 Charged in Global Theft, Sale Of 40 Million Card Numbers (Post, August 6, 2008)
Prescription Data Used To Assess Consumers: Records Aid Insurers but Prompt Privacy Concerns (Post, August 4, 2008)
Lawmakers Probe Web Tracking: Panel Examining Ad Technology for Privacy Concerns (Post, July 17, 2008)
Metro: Posting of Social Security Numbers Results in Suspension of 3 Workers (Post, July 15, 2008)
Senate Grapples With Web Privacy Issues: At Hearing, More Questions Than Answers (Post, July 10, 2008)
U.S. Seeks Data Exchange: Newer European Union Countries Want Waiver From Visa Requirements (Post, July 8, 2008)
Post-9/11 Dragnet Turns Up Surprises: Biometrics Link Foreign Detainees To Arrests in U.S. (Post, July 6, 2008)
Celebrity Passport Records Popular: State Dept. Audit Finds Snooping Was Frequent (Post, July 4, 2008)
YouTube Ordered To Release User Data: Viacom Had Sought Access to Database In Copyright Battle (Post, July 4, 2008)
European Lawmaker To Sue U.S. Over Data: Suit Illustrates Sticking Point in Transatlantic Pact (Post, July 1, 2008)
Keep Watch on Your Credit Report -- Free (By Kenneth R. Harney, June 28, 2008)
Internet Provider Halts Plan to Track, Sell Users' Surfing Data (Post, June 25, 2008)
Plan to Fingerprint Foreigners Exiting U.S. Is Opposed (Post, June 22, 2008)
U.S. DISTRICT COURT: Ex-Schools Employee and Friend Admit ID Theft (Post, June 20, 2008)
A Flashy Facebook Page, at a Cost to Privacy: Add-Ons to Online Social Profiles Expose Personal Data to Strangers (Post, June 12, 2008)
On the Fence? Here's How to Decide. (Post, June 12, 2008)
CITY GOVERNMENT: Council Questions Camera Plan (Post, June 3, 2008)
Sudden Disconnect Over Social Networking Deal: Despite Friendly Overtures, Competing Interests Threaten Venture Between Google and Facebook (Post, June 3, 2008)
38 Charged in Phishing Scams: Consumer Data Target of Global Ring (Post, May 20, 2008)
After a Wallet Theft, Prevent Identity Theft (Post, May 4, 2008)
The Rise of Alter Egos In Everybody's Space: After Oversharing, Users Recast Their Online Personas (Post, May 2, 2008)
D.C. Forging Surveillance Network: Privacy a Concern as 1st Phase Links 4,500 Cameras to Central Office (Post, May 1, 2008)
High Court Upholds Indiana Law On Voter ID: 6-3 Ruling Calls Measure Reasonable to Fight Fraud (Post, April 29, 2008)
Mortgage Broker Sues Lenders in Privacy Breach: Passwords Were Leaked, LendingTree Says (Post, April 29, 2008)
Now Boarding at BWI: Security With Hint of Calm: Prototype Checkpoint Aims to Be More Efficient, Easier on Fliers (Post, April 29, 2008)
Presidential Transition: Citing Risks, Study Suggests Ways To Ease National Security Handoff (Post, April 25, 2008)
Wacky Canadians Still Believe in Privacy (By Al Kamen, April 25, 2008)
Ban on Genetic-Test Bias May Pass Senate (Post, April 24, 2008)
From DNA of Family, a Tool to Make Arrests: Privacy Advocates Say the Emerging Practice Turns Relatives Into Genetic Informants (Post, April 21, 2008)
U.S. to Expand Collection Of Crime Suspects' DNA: Policy Adds People Arrested but Not Convicted (Post, April 17, 2008)
NATIONAL SECURITY LETTERS: Lawmakers Want FBI Access to Data Curbed (Post, April 15, 2008)
A Call for Action On Tax Scams (By Stephen Barr, April 14, 2008)
Administration Set to Use New Spy Program in U.S.: Congressional Critics Want More Assurances of Legality (Post, April 12, 2008)
Stolen NIH Laptop Held Social Security Numbers (Post, April 10, 2008)
House Staffers Livid Over Web Site: Financial Information Being Posted Is Too Personal, Aides Say (Post, April 9, 2008)
Every Click You Make: Internet Providers Quietly Test Expanded Tracking of Web Use to Target Advertising (Post, April 4, 2008)
Centers Tap Into Personal Databases: State Groups Were Formed After 9/11 (Post, April 2, 2008)
HINTS FROM HELOISE (By Hints From Heloise, April 1, 2008)
Kovacic Appointed New FTC Chairman (Post, March 27, 2008)
Proposal Would Clarify Law On Sharing Student Information: Colleges Would Gain Flexibility in Providing Help (Post, March 26, 2008)
Patients' Data on Stolen Laptop: Identity Fraud Not Likely, NIH Says (Post, March 24, 2008)
Do-It-Yourself ID Protection (Post, March 23, 2008)
Rice Apologizes For Breach of Passport Data: Employees Looked at Files On Obama, Clinton, McCain (Post, March 22, 2008)
Google Cleared To Buy Ad Firm: E.U. Approves Deal Despite Privacy Qualms (Post, March 12, 2008)
Microsoft Health vs.Google Health (Post, March 11, 2008)
New Ways To Manage Health Data: Giants Join the Push To Put Records Online (Post, March 11, 2008)
Advertising Sent To Cellphones Opens New Front In War on Spam (Post, March 10, 2008)
Anti-Terrorism Efforts Hailed: Chertoff Says Security Improvements Thwart Extremists (Post, March 7, 2008)
National Dragnet Is a Click Away: Authorities to Gain Fast and Expansive Access to Records (Post, March 6, 2008)
THE 5-YEAR MARK: DHS Strains As Goals, Mandates Go Unmet (Post, March 6, 2008)
Chips in official IDs raise privacy fears (AP, July 12, 2009; 6:10 AM)
Chips in official IDs raise privacy fears (AP, July 12, 2009; 12:01 AM)
Chips in official IDs raise privacy fears (AP, July 12, 2009; 12:01 AM)
Gretzky fights request to view his tax returns (AP, July 11, 2009; 10:31 PM)
BT shelves Phorm's Web usage monitoring for ads (AP, July 7, 2009; 2:15 PM)
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