[Gllug] how safe is linux against identity thief

[t.clarke]

Emails are not necessarily copied from node to node;  it rather depends on
the nature of the connections of both originator and sender.

If the originator is using a direct smtp connection to the recipient's email
server and that server happens to belong to the recipient, then no outsider
is going to see the contents short of sniffing the physical connection.

I would think it higly unlikely that a bankl account gets comprised through
obtaining the baccount number and soprt-code from an email anway, since in
the commercial world these days most companies provide their bank account
details to third parties to enable BACS transfers.  Likewise most employees
provide their account details to their employers.

Just because someone has your bank account details does not enable them
to obtain funds from your account, unless they have other info that enables
them to 'pose' as you to your bank.

One of the most stupid security measures adopted by banks is to ask for your
mothers maiden name  -  a bit of information easily obtained by others.
A more sensible approach adopted by some is to ask for a 'memorable name'
or place.


Tim
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