Sears: the company you can trust?

Looks like Sears hasn't been paying attention to the well-known problems of spyware and data security. As reported by Thomas Claburn at InformationWeek, spyware researcher Benjamin Edelman states that Sears is installing online tracking software without adequate informing web visitors and obtaining their consent. Moreover, Edelman says the company is violating its privacy policy by exposing its customers' purchase histories to anyone who searches for the info.

How can this be? Surely any large organization collecting data from customers on its web site would take every possible step to prevent both of these situations!

Aye, there's the rub. Sears, apparently, has messed up. Big time.

First of all, Sears is installing ComScore online spyware "that tracks all your Internet usage - including banking logins, e-mail, and all other forms of Internet usage," says Benjamin Googins, a researcher at security company CA, in a blog post.

Even worse, Edelman notes, Sears' Manage My Home site - while offering some useful features - allows anyone to view what Sears customers have purchased by offering "no security whatsoever to prevent a Manage My Home user from retrieving another person's purchase history by entering that person's name, phone number, and address."

Sears has since claimed that it adequately informs potential users of what will happen, tracking-wise, if they sign up. Edelman disagrees. However, Sears acknowledges its privacy problems and has stated that it has turned off the ability to view a customer's purchase history until unauthorized access can be restricted.

Duh.

Our point is simple. This cannot and will not EVER happen with files you store in your iForem digital vault. Our entire system is designed with security as the first and most important consideration. We install NOTHING on your computer that tracks your Internet usage, and there is NO POSSIBLE WAY for anyone other than you and your authorized users from seeing your documents. End of story.

No, we don't sell washing machines or power tools. We provide Perpetual Peace of Mind.