Category Archives: Technology

by | September 20, 2011 · 5:49 am

Hospitality Industry Theft Risks: Washington Hotel Housekeeper Arrested For "Stealing iPad" From Guest Room; Global Positioning System (GPS) On Device Tracks Down Suspect

“…The guest noticed his iPad missing from his room Sept. 9, and there was no forced entry… the man used a GPS that had been installed on the device as an anti-theft measure to trace the iPad to Zavala’s apartment complex…”

Olympia detectives arrested a housekeeper at the Red Lion Hotel Olympia on Friday after a hotel guest tracked a global positioning system on his missing iPad to the housekeeper’s apartment, police said

The man contacted police, and detectives went to Zavila’s apartment. She admitted to taking the iPad.

Detectives executed a search warrant at the apartment and found the iPad. They also found a laptop, jewelry and other items that might have been stolen.

Hotel General Manager Jay Johnson said Zavala has been suspended pending the outcome of her case. He added that hotel officials believe the theft is an isolated incident.

Read more: http://www.theolympian.com/2011/09/19/1806512/hotel-housekeeper-accused-of-stealing.html#ixzz1YV3toCsb

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by | September 19, 2011 · 5:58 am

Hospitality Industry Guest Security Risks: Hotels Must "Reset Factory Codes" On Hotel Safes To Prevent Unauthorized Opening Using "000000"

“…Being able to unlock a hotel safe by entering in all zeros, he said, is pure ‘negligence on the hotel’s part’…. every safe has a factory code, whether it is all zeros or all ones, and it is each hotel’s responsibility to reset this factory code when they take the safe out of the box…”

The hotel safe you use to stash your passport, laptop and other valuables might have a major security flaw, according to a traveler’s YouTube.com video highlighted by Web tracker DailyDot.com.

In his video headlined, “Don’t Trust Your Hotel Room Safe,” traveler “skyrangerpro” shows himself unlocking his hotel room’s safe by entering all zeros.

He was given the “000000” security code by the front desk when he told them he’d forgotten the password he’d previously chosen.

For more:  http://travel.usatoday.com/hotels/post/2011/09/hotel-safe-youtubecom-video-questions-safety/547821/1

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by | September 15, 2011 · 10:17 am

Hospitality Industry Cybercrime Risks: Hotel Management Should Have Policies "Disclosing Risks Of Hotel Computer And Wireless Internet Usage"

“…According to a report from antivirus software manufacturer Norton, global cybercrime has claimed 431 million adult victims in the past year, costing countries $114 billion in direct financial losses. That figure jumps to $388 billion when you factor in the value that victims place on the time they spent recouping the losses…”

Last year, in the U.S. specifically, more than 74 million people were victims of some form of cybercrime, leading to $32 billion in direct financial losses.

  • Recognize that your smartphone is really a pocket-size computer and is prone to the same types of attacks directed at your laptop and desktop. Take steps to protect it, such as keeping your operating system current and creating a strong password.
  • Keep your personal information to yourself. For instance, don’t put your entire birth date, including the year, on Facebook. Think about the security questions normally posed by your bank and other secure locations: “first school you attended,” “name of favorite pet” and the like. Are your answers on display online?
  • Know the pitfalls of public Wi-Fi. CreditCards.com says, “Avoid public wireless Internet connections unless you have beefed-up security protection.”
  • Beware of public computers, too. For instance, Kiplinger says, “Don’t access your accounts or personal information on public hotel computers, which could have software that logs keystrokes and records your passwords and account numbers.”
  • Use credit cards, rather than debit cards, when making purchases online. In case of fraud, you’ll get much better protection from liability with a credit card.

For more:  http://money.msn.com/identity-theft/article.aspx?post=6730f6ce-5203-4b59-bd46-f65a7a3545c2

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by | September 14, 2011 · 10:47 am

Hospitality Industry Guest Room Risks: "Hotel Minibars" Are "Loss-Leaders" At Many Properties Where Theft And Spoilage Cause Inventory Issues

“… actually [minibars] are loss-leaders…(some hotels have) been phasing out stocked minibars…Theft and billing problems can eat into minibar income. Hilton loses 5% to 20% of minibar revenue to “quote-unquote breakage…”

To cut costs and keep better track of sales, more hoteliers are installing automated minibars equipped with sensors that know when an item has been removed, immediately charging a guest’s bill.

Hotels and minibar manufacturers say these can cut labor costs since employees only have to check the roughly 25%-30% of rooms that use the minibar on a given day. Software can track how long items have been sitting in the minibar, cutting down on the problem of expired snacks.

But automated minibars cause problems of their own. If you take out an item and put it back, you might be charged, though most hotels give a grace period of about 40 seconds. And forget replacing a minibar’s high-priced sodas with your own snacks.

Sensors can also be overly sensitive, causing problems even for travel professionals.

For more:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904537404576554441363020606.html

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by | September 13, 2011 · 10:49 am

Hospitality Industry Information Security Risks: Senate Introduces "Personal Data Protection And Breach Accountability Act Of 2011" Forcing Companies To Secure Personal Data

“…Introduced by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), the Personal Data Protection and Breach Accountability Act of 2011 would force companies that hold online information for more than 10,000 people to follow strict guidelines to ensure the data is stored correctly…”

The U.S. Senate will consider a bill aimed at protecting citizens’ personal information from online data theft, and penalizing companies that don’t adequately store and safeguard their customers’ personal information.

The bill would impose fines on companies who don’t follow the guidelines and leave customer data open to compromise, and open the door for customers to sue companies that don’t adequately protect their data.

Blumenthal’s bill would put the U.S. government in line with states such as Massachusetts, which has legislation that fines companies that improperly protect residents’ digital data.

For more:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44491737/

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by | August 23, 2011 · 9:45 am

Hospitality Industry Spa Safety: Hotel Spas And Saunas Usage Can Be Monitored And Regulated With New Heat-Resistant, Waterproof RFID Bracelets

“…a heat-resistant waterproof RFID bracelet -08, specially designed to be used in high temperature environment like sauna and spa hotel, etc. Incorporated with silicone and RFID tag, this heat-resistant RFID bracelet tag can be used in the sauna as admissions, payment and security…”

This waterproof RFID bracelet is perfectly used in high temperature environment, since it can survive in the extreme temperature from -30 Celsius degree to +60 Celsius degree while still maintaining high identification accuracy. With this heat-resistant contactless bracelet worn on wrist, the guests of the sauna can get in or out of the place freely and pay the fee without cash or credit card. Thus, it can guarantee the safety of the guests.

For more:  http://www.onlineprnews.com/news/162586-1313742730-heatresistant-rfid-bracelet-waterproof-for-sauna-and-spa-hotel.html

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by | August 16, 2011 · 8:43 am

Hospitality Industry Theft Risks: Valuable Original Artwork Stolen From Los Angeles Hotel Located After "News Coverage" Leads To Tip; Hotel Security Video Holds Key To Finding Suspects (Video)

“We got an anonymous tip because there was so much news coverage…That really was the turning point. The news coverage led people to call us and say, ‘Hey, I’ve seen this, and this is where I’ve seen it.’

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-PNBTI5Crw&feature=player_embedded]

“…High-tech specialists are scouring hotel security video, and authorities may release a sketch or stills of the suspects later this week or next week…”

 

Owners of the drawing, known as “The Judgment,” verified just after midnight that the recovered 11 X 16 inch pen-and-ink artwork was indeed the original that had vanished from an exhibit on Saturday night, said Steve Whitmore, spokesman for the Los Angeles County Police Department.

An anonymous tip led investigators to the church around 7 p.m. on Monday. Experts from the Linearis Institute, which owns the drawing, later verified its authenticity, he said.

There are no suspects in custody, and authorities are not commenting on how the drawing — valued at $250,000 — ended up at the church on Ventura Boulevard in the city about 25 miles from Los Angeles. They also are not confirming the name of the church.

The drawing was in “a building on the church grounds, not in the sanctuary,” Whitmore said. It wasn’t hanging on a wall or otherwise displayed, he said.

For more:  http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/16/us-rembrandt-heist-california-idUSTRE77F49620110816

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by | August 15, 2011 · 5:31 am

Hospitality Industry Information Security: Hotels And Resorts Are Targeted For Cyber Attacks Because Of Faulty "Data Collection Practices"

“…The report said the largest share of cyber attacks — 38% — were aimed at hotels, resorts and tour companies…”

“… large hotel chains are most vulnerable because hotel management companies may not be able to monitor how data is collected and stored at dozens or even hundreds of properties throughout the world. Independent contractors who work for individual hotels can also open the door to hackers and computer viruses…”

A business traveler who books hotel rooms via the Internet, may be at higher risk of being victimized by computer hackers and identity thieves.

Insurance claims for data theft worldwide jumped 56% last year, with a bigger number of those attacks targeting the hospitality industry, according to a new report by Willis Group Holdings, a British insurance firm.

That could spell trouble for business travelers who submit credit card numbers and other personal information to hotel websites, said Laurie Fraser, global markets leisure practice leader for Willis.

For more:  http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-travel-briefcase-20110815,0,65581.story

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by | August 13, 2011 · 7:35 am

Hospitality Industry Information Security: Hotel Kiosk Computer Security Can Be Tested With Free Web Service Tool

“… iKAT (Interactive Kiosk Attack Tool) is a free web service that tries to bypass the protective mechanisms of internet kiosk PCs and gain control of the systems. Such computers can usually be found in hotel lobbies, airport lounges and other public spaces. Kiosk operators can use iKAT to test the resilience of their systems…”

The Linux- or Windows-based kiosk systems are usually protected and only allow specific applications to be launched. The primary aim of iKAT is to start a Windows or Linux shell. To achieve it, iKAT tries to exploit known vulnerabilities in a number of different ways. For example, when opening the iKAT page from a Windows-based kiosk system, users are presented with a “1Click PWN” button – this launches components including Metasploit on the server to scan the kiosk PC for browser exploits. Other avenues include accessing “Open File” or “Print File” dialogs in order to execute cmd.exe.

For more:  http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Free-web-service-cracks-internet-kiosks-1321613.html

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by | August 8, 2011 · 6:09 am

Hospitality Industry Theft Risks: West Virginia Hotel Foils Flat Panel TV Theft With Electronic Key Audit; Thief Was Guest Who Was Fined $250 For Smoking In Room

“….a West Virginia man was fined $250 for smoking in his room…(the extra charge was added) onto the bill and slipped under the door…(he) was so upset that he retaliated by stealing a $500 flat-screen television from the hotel’s workout room, Palm Beach police said…”

The hotel found its thief by auditing the guest keys used to access the workout room, police said. It then located an object the size of the missing television hidden by a bed sheet in Nelson’s rental vehicle.

But some quick detective work by police and a hotel employee led to Nelson’s arrest Friday on a charge of grand theft. Police took him to the Palm Beach County Jail.

Nelson told detectives he used a penny to unscrew some screws and a tire iron to break a lock that held the television to a wall bracket.

For more:  http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/smoking-fine-spurs-theft-of-hotel-flat-screen-820141.html

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