I’m the computer technician of the family, which means I am a security FREAK. I am always looking for ways to secure our data, protect our information and computers, and monitor activity. It’s a lot of work, actually, because we use so many computers around the house. But here’s an interesting development: ShopShield. Looks like these guys are doing something about all the identity theft, and doing things the banks and businesses should be doing– protecting and encrypting our financial data. The banks could secure our data if they wanted to, I think. But I’m happy to see more people starting up businesses to protect our data; I think consumers have more control when a small business does it, and a bank/government bureaucracy doesn’t.
Anyway, ShopShield interests me because I do a ton of online shopping. This is an interesting concept– from the ShopShield website:
…creates substitute checkout information including name, credit card, and billing address for each individual transaction, as well as unique login identities complete with a temporary email address. While being completely untraceable, this anonymous information works at pretty much every web site out there. And you can bill your purchases to any checking account or major credit card (Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express® and Discover®)
ShopShield says all information is stored in a “fortress of security systems,” and this prevents theft (especially by inside employees of online banks and stores). 
They also say all information is encrypted and stored throughout databases, and they also monitor all transactions. If something should happen and your data is stolen, ShopShield promises to reimburse all your money stolen, up $10,000 more than what your credit card company reimburses.
There are specific accounts you can create: throwaway credit card numbers (that expire after the purchase); reusable numbers (for online subscriptions and etc); a special account for travel, and more. I’d heard that banks were considering making “one-time purchase” credit cards, but haven’t seen anything develop. I’m glad to see an independent company like ShopShield rise up. The website has several informative videos, visit Shop Shield® to see them. Here’s one that I found most informative.
ShopShield is currently under beta testing, and subscriptions to the service are free. Learn More. So how about you? Are you concerned about your financial data streaming across the Internet? Would you use something like ShopShield? Do you think your data is more easily protected by a third-party? Leave your comments, I’d like to know.
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Tags: identity theft, ShopShield
