UT CID In the News

Fons Knopjes named Fellow at The University of Texas at Austin

UT CID Press Release - October 5, 2023
The University of Texas at Austin Center for Identity, a leader in multidisciplinary identity security and privacy research and education, has announced the appointment of Fons Knopjes to serve as a Fellow on the Center’s Board of Advisors.

Susan Combs named Fellow at The University of Texas at Austin

UT CID Press Release - December 3, 2020
The University of Texas at Austin Center for Identity, a leader in multidisciplinary identity security and privacy research and education, today announced the appointment of Susan Combs to serve as a Fellow on the Center’s Board of Advisors.

Find out when your online accounts are compromised -- for free

CBS News - January 31, 2020

For a fee, monthly credit monitoring services will alert you to irregular activity on your accounts. However, an Austin-based company can tell you if criminals are trading your personal information on the Dark Web -- sometimes before they even start using that data.

Biometrics: Dismantling the Myths Surrounding Facial Recognition

Security Week - August 15, 2019

According to a 2018 report from the Center for Identity at the University of Texas, the rate of adoption for biometrics has accelerated over the last five years. That shouldn’t come as a surprise. In the age of digital transformation, organizations are now looking for innovative and secure solutions to authenticate users seeking access to resources. After all, accurate, reliable authentication is critical to managing the digital risk that comes with having an unprecedented dynamic and diverse workforce connecting to numerous apps and other resources. As identity management becomes more complex, biometrics has quickly entered the scene as organizations look to enhance their security postures.

2019 identity theft report released

International Travel and Health Insurance Journal - August 5, 2019

The University of Texas at Austin Center for Identity has released the 2019 International Identity Theft Assessment and Prediction Report, which details the emerging trends in international identity theft, fraud and abuse and provides additional insights into the supply chain of abused identity assets

DIGITAL DILEMMA: Is Austin a cybersecurity hub? Depends who you ask.

Austin American Statesman - March 1, 2019

Although it’s up for debate where the city’s cybersecurity future stands, startups, the largest tech employers, higher education institutions and even the military have made headlines in recent years for prioritizing information security — the wider net that includes cybersecurity and the protection and maintenance of data.

How AI Can Help Stop Cyberattacks

The Wall Street Journal - September 18, 2018

As corporations struggle to fight off hackers and contain data breaches, some are looking to artificial intelligence for a solution.

They’re using machine learning to sort through millions of malware files, searching for common characteristics that will help them identify new attacks. They’re analyzing people’s voices, fingerprints and typing styles to make sure that only authorized users get into their systems. And they’re hunting for clues to figure out who launched cyberattacks—and make sure they can’t do it again.

New on Parents’ To-Do List: Checking Children’s Credit History

Wall Street Journal - August 28, 2018

Parents have a new item to add to their financial to-do list: checking their child’s credit history.

A new federal law going into effect in September will make it easier for families to combat a growing problem of identity fraud of minors, allowing them to make inquiries about credit files in there child's name and freeze them at no cost.

University of Texas at Austin Center for Identity releases identity theft report

Biometric Update - August 27, 2018

The University of Texas at Austin Center for Identity today announced that it has released a research report titled, the 2018 Identity Theft Assessment and Prediction Report, which sheds new light on the considerable emotional impact on victims of identity theft, fraud, and abuse. 

Research from The University of Texas at Austin Center for Identity Highlights the Emotional Distress Related to Identity Theft, Fraud, and Abuse

UT Press Release - August 8, 2018

The report, including statistics from more than 6,000 cases of identity theft and other identity-related crimes that were recorded throughout the 16 critical infrastructure sectors of the Department of Homeland Security, adds considerable insight to the relationship between the different types of identity theft and their varied impact on victims. The

Biometrics (finally) gaining widespread acceptance

DCX.Technology - July 30, 2018

It seems biometrics, at least certain types, are growing more popular among consumers. According to the findings from a pair of reports from the Center for Identity at The University of Texas at Austin, people are most comfortable with fingerprint biometrics, compared to other types of biometrics such as face, eye, and voice.

The impact of identity theft – It’s not just about the money

New Data Security - June 11, 2018

The Center for Identity at the University of Texas, has observed 5,398 cases of identity theft, fraud and abuse in the U.S. since the year 2000. The majority of those cases occurred in the states of California, New York, Florida, and Texas according to the University’s ITAP report 2018. And, unlike what most would think, losing money is not what hurts victims the most.

Biometrics: vast scope of practical applications and prospects

Medium - June 4, 2018

Having surveyed 1000 individuals, on May 10th the Center for Identity at the University of Texas stated that public is comparatively positive about the technology. Nearly 68% of respondents were quite comfortable with giving biometric information to an organization. However, their comfort level varied depending on the type of information given. Individuals tended to have the most positive attitude to fingerprint scans as 58% of interviewed were very comfortable with them.

Public embraces biometrics but with reservations

Meritalk.com - May 21, 2018

A new study finds that the public is warming up to the use of biometric identification technology, but remains wary of tracking applications and is looking to government to set standards in that area.

Report shows consumer comfort with biometrics increasing but uneven

Biometric Update.com - May 21, 2018

A solid majority of U.S. consumers are very comfortable with fingerprint biometrics, but other modalities are only as comfortable for between 32 and 40 percent, according to a two-part report on biometric authentication by the Center for Identity at The University of Texas at Austin.

This 'old-fashioned' identity theft is just as dangerous as the cyber kind

CNBC.com - May 15, 2018

Hackers aren't your only risk when it comes to identity theft and fraud. 53 percent of thefts of consumers' identity data are "non-digital," meaning they don't involve — or at least, don't start with — the thief exploiting some cyber vulnerability. That includes physical theft like a stolen laptop or mail, and insider theft, where family members and and employees at companies where you do business exploit their access

Austin security company, UT partner to protect personal info

KEYE - CBS Austin - December 4, 2017

With data breaches on the rise, a partnership in Austin is looking at the best ways to secure personal information. The technology could make physical credit cards and driver's licenses a thing of the past.

What are websites doing with your personal information?

The Examiner (“that scrappy little paper from Southeast Texas") - May 21, 2015

You have likely noticed that the banner ads and other forms of advertisements on many of the webpages you visit appear to “coincidently” be for many of the same items that you have recently searched for online.

UT launches new identity security masters program

Austin Business Journal - May 15, 2015

The University of Texas at Austin will launch a new master’s degree program for identity management and security starting in 2016, the university announced Thursday.

How much is your identity worth?

ACFE Insights - May 15, 2015

Recently, I attended the ID360 conference in Austin, which was presented by the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Identity.

Free Tax Help, Abbot Hopes to Reduces Taxes

KEYE-TV - April 15, 2015

Thousands of people rushed to fill out tax forms Wednesday wit the help of some free services as Texas Governor Greg Abbott plans to reduce taxes on businesses.

ID thieves steal tax refunds

KXAN - April 12, 2015

Tax filing deadline is Wednesday, April 15, but if you’re anxiously awaiting a refund, beware. An identity thief may have beaten you to it.

CASA Tosses Sensitive Data

Time Warner Cable News - March 31, 2015

Local dumpster diver and security specialist Matt Malone was looking through a Central Austin dumpster this weekend when he noticed something odd.

Meet Passcode's Influencers

Christian Science Monitor - February 17, 2015

Big thinkers vote on the most critical issues in security and privacy.

Here's how to disable location tracking on your phone

Quartz - January 20, 2015

Imagine finding yourself on a solo road trip into the wilderness. This storied form of adventure—the form of Alec Dunbar's travels in The Vanishing Game—is exhilarating in part due to the associated risks and potential hazards. Envision traversing unknown parts, and the situation suddenly becoming precarious.

The Age of the Data Breach: A Plan for CEOs

Texas CEO Magazine - January 17, 2015

It's hard to turn on the news these days without hearing of some kind of data breach. As lawmakers and the media's attention to security grows, so does the impact of data breaches on those at the leadership level of businesses.

Gallaga: How to be a ghost (online)

Austin-American Statesman - October 27, 2014

Lately, anonymous has gotten a bad rap. Not Anonymous, the intimidating online network of Guy Fawkes mask-wearing hacktivists. I mean the concept of anonymity online.

Credit card companies making strides in security

KXAN - October 26, 2014

With more companies falling victim to data breaches, credit card companies are issuing cards with more advanced security to keep customers' information safe. Those cards are equipped with something called EMV technology- or better known as a microprocessor chip.

Online resource IDWise beats back cybercrimes

Herald Democrat - October 17, 2014

With the recent hackings of Home Depot, Albertsons and perhaps most notoriously the Target hacking last holiday season, U.S. consumers are aware now more than ever that every day their identities are at risk.

App Developed at UT Austin Will Educate Kids on ID Theft

CBS Radio San Antonio - October 9, 2014

The group at the biggest risk for identity theft today is children, with their spotless credit histories, their love for computers, and their lack of basic knowledge about what information not to provide to others on line.

North Carolina to Pilot Secure Electronic ID

Government Technology - October 8, 2014

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded the North Carolina Departments of Transportation and Health and Human Services a pilot grant to create an electronic ID (eID) intended to operate with the same security and privacy online as driver licenses and state-issued IDs do in person.

Paying just got easier for consumers; Apple Pay

Fox 7 News - August 26, 2014

Paying in stores just got a little bit easier. Using your iPhone is now an option at hundreds of thousands of businesses. But is it safe? It's a new way of paying, all with a single touch.

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