Efforts to Prevent Identity Theft

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It looks like some companies are finally understanding that identity theft prevention should be a high priority for anybody choosing to have an internet presence. Just within the past few weeks, credit card companies have banded together to come up with workable data security standards, AT&T filed suit against various data brokers for misappropriating customer data and a company has released a security package for mobile phone and internet users.

Some companies are paying attention to security. Unfortunately, these companies probably do not represent what all corporate America should do. In fact, other companies have gone the wrong direction when it comes to data security. This week I heard about companies who actually pay hackers to install spyware onto consumers' computers designed to track internet user habits and place targeted advertisments. Just by browsing the internet, you can risk placing your identity at risk. This problem will not go away until companies who pay hackers realize that such behavior could subject them to large judgments and punitive damages. What do you think?