What Internet Security?

            Recent breaches of internet security bring us to question just how safe the traditional secret question is and also if biometric scanners are any better. Secret questions are typically used when a password is forgotten as a way to identify the account user, but they do present a certain security risk. The biometric fingerprint scanners found on the newer Apple iPhones also raise questions of safety when used as part of login procedures.

            The “hackers” who stole and released photos of celebrities last month gained access to the celebrity iCloud accounts through the secret questions. To login to iCloud, Apple only asked for an Apple ID, a birth date, and a few secret questions about the celebrity users. The “hackers” answered these questions by guessing and googling the answers. Breaking into someone’s account requires so little information of that person; it’s hard to believe the process is still being used (Dewey, 2014).

            Having your account hacked through the secret question is a problem; having someone steal fingerprint data used for login could be a nightmare.  The more applications of the fingerprint scanner there are, the more likely your fingerprint data will be lost through careless data handling and storage procedures. This opens the door to every other service associated with that user’s fingerprint rather than just the one account (Baraniuk, 2013).

            The ability to easily crack secret questions and the unsettling thought of someone taking my identity through my fingerprints make me wonder what changes companies could make to better secure my online accounts.

References

Baraniuk, C. (2013). End of anonymity. (Cover story). New Scientist,  
            220#(2940), 34-37.

Dewey, C. (2014, September 03). This is how easy it is to hack someone’s iCloud with their security questions. Retrieved October 12, 2014, from www.washingtonpost.com: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2014/09/03/this-is-how-easy-it-is-to-hack-someones-icloud-with-their-security-questions/

Want to be a good employee?

A professional employee should be upbeat and reliable. A cheery attitude helps to create an environment that is enjoyable for everyone (Sundheim, 2013).  Being dependable is something employees shows by getting their job done without constant supervision; this gives managers greater confidence in the employee (Kibilko, 2014).

            An employee with a positive outlook will be more productive than a worker with bad attitude. A positive attitude in the workplace promotes creativity and new ideas that would likely not happen with a negative disposition (Sundheim, 2013). At work being approachable and easy to work with is an everyday necessity, and without these two characteristics having a successful career would be very difficult (Kibilko, 2014).

            Reliability is something that should be learned early on in life; it is closely related to other traits, such as honesty, integrity and work ethic. Showing up on time and being on task are indicators of reliability. The less supervision an employee requires, the better. An employer shouldn’t have to constantly hover over employees to make sure they are on task and not doing non-work related things (Kibilko, 2014).

            Many characteristics that make a good employee, but being upbeat and reliable are valuable traits that can make an employee great.

References

Kibilko, J. (2014, October 2). The most important characteristics of a successful employee. Retrieved October 2, 2014, from smappbusiness.chron.com: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/important-characteristics-successful-employee-14292.html

Sundheim, K. (2013, April 02). 15 Traits of the ideal employee. Retrieved September 25, 2014, from forbes.com: http://www.forbes.com/sites/kensundheim/2013/04/02/15-traits-of-the-ideal-employee/