Griffin Johnston, 4th period, the need for better credit card security

            On an article on Foxnews.com Gene J. Koprowski reports on the recent series of credit card hacks that occurred over the Christmas holidays. According to the article, most of the “developed and non-developed” countries of the world have credit card security technology superior to that of the United States. Various security corporations/ businesses are proposing a personal identification number (PIN) as well as “computer chip security” to replace the magnetic stripe credit cards with the accompanying signature when a purchase is made. Koprowski goes on to say that one of the reasons why more adequate security measures for the credit card have not been taken is due to the massive size of the U.S. economy and market; the number of businesses, stores, corporations, etc. that would have to adjust their systems to accommodate new security measures. However, the article also states that the large amount of hacking and credit card security breaches that have occurred recently could cause people to be more reluctant to make purchases for fear of being hacked.

            The use of credit cards is the predominant way in which people purchase goods in today’s world. Though the hacking and security breaches have caused people to be more reluctant in using their credit card (and, therefore, in purchasing goods) it can be seen as benefit. It has successfully exposed a flaw in the security of the nations credit card security and has stimulated the action to improve this security and prevent further hacking incidents. However, this also shows how much thought has to go into possible consequences, and safety measures that must accompany the creation of new technology such as credit cards and computers. Hacking and more advance security breaches on credit card technology are unintended consequences of the increasingly advancing progress of technological development. These unintended consequences can become null in void by, both careful and cautious thinking of a wide variety of outcomes, and, more technological innovations. It is very similar to the reason why the initial U.S. constitution is so broad. If it were too specific, amendments would be much more frequent due to the constantly changing world.

           

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2014/02/10/chip-and-pin-future-credit-cards/