www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I have noticed on most of the hotel web sites that they ask for your credit card numbers or ask you to e-mail the information to them. Please be careful, I'm a Microsoft Consultant, and that is a big security risk. If the site is not a secure site your credit card info is not encrypted. Look for the https:// at the top, you should also see a lock. You can also review the properties of the site. It should tell you if the site is secure.

There are some very clever hackers out there. They have set up screens to filter internet traffic and are looking for credit card numbers, social security numbers, birthdates, sensitive information like that.

If you need to send that information by E-Mail, do it in 2 messages. Send the part of the number in each message; That way the numbers don’t match what the scammers are looking for. Better safer then sorry.

Happy Surfing.

WorldRef wrote:



Have never heard that before and it certainly seems like a very sensible precaution to take when ever sending your CC number over the net.

Thanks WorldRef

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

That's some great advice. Never thought of that one. Thanks for the intel WorldRef.
MG

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

MG is right that is some valuable information.


Thanks WorldRef
Xman

I have wondered about using credit cards at some of the hotel sites.
For email I've split the info as suggested. Not sure if it really makes
a difference. There's at least one popular hotel in San Jose that
confirms your reservations by sending a return email with all the
credit card info (including expiration dates).
And more -- passport number, home address and telephone number.
I was surprised. I'm hoping that no one was watching.

I'm sure that many of you have seen this. Anyone think it's a risk

Thats a bummer. Care to share the info of which hotel does that?

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Hotel Presidente

Here's the email form that they generate from their on-line reservation
system. I have replaced all info with "x". The original email contained
ALL of the personal info. "ID_Type" was passport.

*************************
> Name: x
> Last_Name: x
> Email: x
> Re_Type_Email: x
> Nationality: x
> ID_Type: x
> ID_Number: x
> Street: x
> Other_Signs:
> City: x
> State: x
> Zip: x
> Country: US
> Phone_AC: x
> Phone: x
> Fax_AC:
> Fax:
> rooms: 1
> Room_Type: Junior Suite(s) ($110+tax)
> Month_In: x
> Day_In: x
> Year_In: 2006
> Month_Out: x
> Day_Out: x
> Year_Out: 2006
> CC_Type: MasterCard
> CC_Number: x
> Month_Card: x
> Year_Card: x
>
> Comments:
> x
>
>

Yeah Presidente forwards your CC info right back to you. I dont see how any long term problems could be caused from it, but short term you could have some random purchases put on your card.

How 'bout this little thing called "IDENTITY THEFT" ?!!??!!?

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

We live in North America, theyve been selling our identity and personal info for the past 20 years.

The internet is not secure at all.

For example, with an IP I can basically use your computer as if it was mine, I can find your house address, phone number, every password you have saved on your comp.

I know 12 year olds that can do that kind of stuff. 128bit encryption is a bit outdated.

TonyZ,

Thanks for the info. That certainly does seem to be asking for a lot of unneeded information just to book a hotel room.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Is why I have never booked at the Presidente again! I am well protected, even from those so called 12 year olds, I am 14

But the info transmitted over open internet lines is definitely NOT secure when sent over unsecured/unencrypted postings. 128bit is still good as it takes a lot of data watching to figure it out (called snoopers), but will not be broken in just 1 or 2 secured/encrypted email.

128 is good at preventing joe somebody from getting your information, but their are some talented guys/girls out there who can do some amazing things with computers.

They can basically get any info they want if they put the time and effort into it. The two email thing would probably help alot, but why not just call with your CC info if your that concerned or fax it.

Faxing is probably as secure as you could get, unless someone is tapping you phone line

I agree on some points, but for an unsecured computer, yeah, just about anyone can get any info from you. But I don't deal with an unsecured computer for my data. I keep everything locked and my PC is invisible to the rest of the world, even if they have my IP.
Just calling in your reservation is still the best way to make a reservation I think if you are so worried about someone stealing your info. Keeping a low limit credit card for such occasions is workable as well. But we can discuss security for years!!