The start of a week-long series on consumer security one year after the Target data breach. Plus, D'Angelo's first album in 14 years, why Google News is blocking content from Spain, and much more.
One year after the Target data breach, what's changed?
There was a time when cash was king, yet for most of us, paying with plastic is the norm. But a year ago this week, we saw just how vulnerable our accounts can be in the wake of the Target data breach. 40 million cards were compromised.
, an assistant professor at Governors State University and an expert on fraud and identity theft, says the breach was "up to that point, the biggest ever."
So what's changed since then? Has the Target hack shifted the landscape of consumer security?
Kresse says the retail industry has been forced to rethink data protection.
"If 2014 was the year of the hack, 2015 will be the year of chip and PIN card," Kresse says. "All of your credit cards are going to get replaced in the next few months."
Chip and PIN cards, Kresse explains, don't prevent the stealing of credit card numbers, but they do make it much more difficult for thieves to reuse them -- and so steal your money.
Replacing "three-quarters of a billion" credit cards in the United States is going to be expensive. Some estimates put the cost of a replacement card at one dollar per card. But, Kresse says, "this is a cost that the credit card companies, the retailers and the banks are willing to take on just because they need this added level of security."
This is part of Take Two's series on consumer security. Have you been the victim of card fraud or identity theft? How did it impact you? How have you changed your spending or online habits to reduce the chances of it happening again? We'd like to hear your story. Leave a comment on our Facebook page or here. Find out how you can protect yourself against identity theft here.
Identity theft: The nation's silent crime
It's the crime that claims more than a million new victims in the United States every 30 days. Identity theft. That's more than the total number of people affected by burglaries, shoplifting, auto thefts, purse snatchings and check fraud all combined.
"Our world is awash with unprotected data" says Neal O'Farrell, cyber-crime expert and founder of the Identity Theft Council, a California based victim support network.
Credit cards, local libraries, doctors' offices and personal computers are just some of the sources of information leaks, but O'Farrell warns the main culprit is a little more low-tech.
"The mail is one of the greatest sources of free information for identity thieves. It's like free cash on the curb."
Identity thieves outline just how easy it is for them to steal your details in an upcoming documentary, from the Identity Theft Council called "In the Company of Thieves"
Tax season is a particularly fruitful time for identity criminals.
"Look out for your W-2s and 10-99s" says Neal O'Farrell. "Everything a thief needs to know is on them."
Unlike a break in, identity theft can go unnoticed for months. Victims only become aware when they receive a bill for an item they never purchased, or are unexpectedly turned down for credit.
"Check your credit reports regularly" advises O'Farrell. "While you can't stop the fraud, you can slow down its impact with early detection."
Social media is also pegged as a goldmine for identity thieves, especially those looking to swipe the details of young children. Keep the little people offline, warns Neal O'Farrell.
"Parents want to brag about their children, but the more information you put out there with details of their name, date and place of birth, siblings, family members and so on, the easier it is for criminals to steal their identity. I've heard of kids being declared bankrupt at three. Their financial futures are ruined before they've even begun."
So how can you protect your identity?
"Layers of security are key" says O'Farrell. "Install anti-virus protection on all of your devises. Don't respond to phishing emails. Lock your mailbox. Be careful who you share your information with."
And if you're a victim?
"Get a brown paper bag and breathe" jokes O'Farrell. "Once you've calmed down, file a police report, get to the bottom of just how deep the crime is and remember consumer law is on your side. "
You can also read previous installments of the series on the impact of cyber crime on small business, on how a credit union is dealing with security and a company that hunts down hackers.
BBC: Analysis on Taliban school attack
Americans woke up Tuesday to the news that Taliban militants attacked a government-run military school in Pakistan.
The death toll reached 141 people by morning, with most of the victims being children.
The Taliban has long been in a threat in Pakistan, but this is being called one of the deadliest incidents in the country’s history.
The BBC's Owen Bennett-Jones provides analysis on the situation.
'Men in suits' rally in L.A. uses silent vigil to protest police actions
Yesterday in downtown Los Angeles, a group of about 50 African American men gathered in front of the federal courthouse for a silent vigil.
They were all dressed in suits and appeared in support of Michael Brown, Eric Garner and other alleged victims of police misconduct.
The demonstration was held at noon and LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas delivered a speech at the event.
"The lives we live, the lives that we lead, cannot be, should not be devalued," said Ridley-Thomas. "And the 'we' is larger than Michael Brown, Eric Garner, but is most assuredly inclusive of them."
Border Patrol makes push to hire women
US Customs and Border Patrol is rolling out a campaign to hire more women.
The force has remained behind other law enforcement agencies, with just 5 percent of its ranks comprised of women compared to an average of 16 percent.
Border Patrol Agent Lilian Segura of the El Centro field office joins the show to talk about what's behind the effort.
D'Angelo's return to the spotlight
Christmas is still more than a week away, but yesterday, the holiday arrived early for fans of the R&B singer-songwriter Michael Eugene Archer ... better known as D'Angelo.
D'Angelo became a musical sensation in the 1990s with his hit album "Brown Sugar".
In 2000 he put out his most recent record "Voodoo" including the song, and video "Untitled: How Does it Feel"
D’angelo - Untitled (How Does It Feel) from Kewellharry on Vimeo.
D'Angelo then went on hiatus; no interviews, no live performances, no new material for 14 years.
But now, he's back. Sunday at midnight his new album was released without warning.
The record is called BLACK MESSIAH.
We talk about it with Randall Roberts, pop music critic for the Los Angeles Times.
Forget the tree: Holiday beard decorating becomes social media trend
Everyone has heard of decorating a tree for the holidays. But if you're a man, what about decorating your beard?
It’s an amusing trend on social media -- posting your beard all decked out with festive ornaments for the holidays.
Dean Banowetz is known as the Hollywood Hair Guy, and he explained more about the fun phenomena.
Many people have attempted to decorate their beards, but it seems none have done it as well as Banowetz.
"I did see some of the pictures with the guys and the baubles in their beard, and I thought, the effort is nice. But if you're gonna do it, do it. Because, from a distance at a dark party, it just looks like you have food in your beard. You want to commit and make people know it’s meant to be," he said.
His commitment extends beyond holiday parties. He is embarking on what he calls the 12 Days of Beard, which so far has included garlands, ornaments, menorahs, a winter wonderland theme, and even two Christmas trees from his one beard.
"Nothing’s ever done until it’s overdone," he said.
Aasif Mandvi on life, fame and the importance of brunch
Aasif Hakim Mandviwala, is known professionally as Aasif Mandvi, the Indian-American actor and comedian.
He made a huge name for himself as a correspondent on the The Daily Show with John Stewart on Comedy Central. Here he is taking on the issue of voter suppression
The Daily Show
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His road to the Daily Show is funny and often surprising. His new book tells the story of how he landed the job, being bullied at a British prep school and how his father's obsession with the American tradition of brunch became a deciding factor on why they moved to the US.
His new book is called, No Land's Man, and he talked to Take Two about it recently.