Welcome Guest. | Log In| Register | Membership Benefits
  • Email this page E-mail this page
  • |  Print Print this page
  • |   Bookmark and Share
  • | 

Did Wireless LAN Broadcast Credit Info?


Some retailers' use of cash registers linked to wireless LANs have raised security questions.

By Christopher T. Heun
InformationWeek
May 2, 2002 12:00 AM

Electronics retailer Best Buy Co. has deactivated cash registers linked to a wireless LAN after a customer reportedly was able to receive credit-card numbers while testing wireless LAN equipment outside a store. Some retailers use wireless registers to send point-of-sale data to inventory and pricing systems. If that information is not encrypted, it can be intercepted and misused. Postings on an Internet security newsgroup claim that at least one person has been able to do that at Best Buy and Wal-Mart stores.

Minneapolis-based Best Buy issued a statement saying that use of wireless registers was "temporary" and that they processed a small percentage of transactions. "Customer privacy is of the utmost importance to Best Buy and we will further investigate," according to the statement. Best Buy did not return calls for comment. A Wal-Mart Stores Inc. spokesman would not comment on security issues or transmission of data.

PetSmart Inc. tested wireless registers in a handful of stores recently, but is no longer operating them. A spokeswoman for the Phoenix chain said she didn't know how long the registers were used or when they were pulled but said no customers had complained about misplaced credit-account information.


Subscribe to RSS


Advertisement

CAREER CENTER
Ready to take that job and shove it?



TechCareers

SEARCH
Function:

Keyword(s):

State:
SPONSOR
RECENT JOB POSTINGS
CAREER NEWS
10 Search Engines You Don't Know About
Go beyond Google and get vertical. These specialized search sites will help you find the business information you need -- fast.

Yahoo Profits Fall 23%, Cuts 1,000 Jobs
Ari Balogh was named to the post of chief technology officer as the companys for a "realignment" of employees.

More articles from our career center





Subscription Info
Apply for a free 52-week subscription to InformationWeek (a $199 value)

Last Name:

First Name:

Title:

Company Name:

City:

Business Address:

Zip:

State:

Email Address:

NOTE: Offer valid for U.S., U.S. possessions, & Canada only