Spyware Can Cripple HIPAA Compliance Efforts in the Healthcare Industry

Released on = May 30, 2007, 11:04 am

Press Release Author = J.P. Schwartz, Inc.

Industry = Healthcare

Press Release Summary = Patients' private and protected health information can be
compromised by the hackers and criminals who write spyware programs specifically to
steal information. They create spyware for identity theft, to steal credit and
banking information and to thwart the Federally-mandated HIPAA regulations designed
to keep confidential medical information from becoming public.

Press Release Body = Patients' private and protected health information can be
compromised by the hackers and criminals who write spyware programs specifically to
steal information. They create spyware for identity theft, to steal credit and
banking information and to thwart the Federally-mandated HIPAA regulations designed
to keep confidential medical information from becoming public.

While spyware can crash computers or cause productivity disruptions just like any
other computer virus, the most effective spyware programs will remove other viruses,
popups or other spyware so that the infected computer may actually run better,
giving the user no indication of a security breach. The sophistication of these
spyware programs poses an enormous risk because of the financial rewards for quietly
stealing data and selling it to others for criminal use.

Fortunately, spyware can be prevented and prevention is by far the most secure and
cost-effective method of dealing with spyware. Because there is not a single, 100%
effective method for preventing spyware, the best practice is to employ multiple
methods for prevention or "defense in depth" which focuses on user education to keep
spyware from being downloaded disguised as other software like screen savers, the
computer itself by installing and maintaining vigorous anti virus programs, and at
the internet connection or firewall to prevent information from coming into or going
out of the computer without specific permission to do so.

If you are interested in preventing your patients' protected healthcare information
from being stolen or sold, read a more in-depth article on spyware prevention
practices at http://www.jpschwartz.com/downloads/spyware.html or give the spyware
protection specialists at J.P. Schwartz, Inc. a call at (303) 482-1242.


Web Site = http://www.jpschwartz.com/downloads/spyware.html

Contact Details = J.P. Schwartz, Inc.
P.O. Box 270429
Louisville, CO 80027
303-482-1242
info@jpschwartz.com

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