Voyage Tech Blogs

Voyage Technology has been serving the Beaver Dam area since 1999, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

That Barbie Blu-Ray You Rented Could Cost You Your Data

That Barbie Blu-Ray You Rented Could Cost You Your Data

In June, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment—publisher of the eponymous Chicken Soup for the Soul book series—officially filed for Chapter 7 and then Chapter 11 bankruptcy, spurring the liquidation of many of its assets. Many may not realize that these assets include Redbox, the movie rental service, with its 24,000 distinctive scarlet kiosks.

What we’re concerned about, however, is what will become of these kiosks and, critically, the data they contain.

Why Are Redbox Kiosks a Data Risk?

As you likely know, Redbox kiosks were self-service movie rental stations that were once common outside gas stations, pharmacies, and grocery stores. They offered an assortment of DVD and Blu-ray discs for rental. One would sign out a disc and be charged based on how long it was in their possession, depositing it when they were finished using it.

The rise of streaming services would prove to be the end for Redbox, despite the brand’s attempts to embrace the new delivery method through its own application.

However, the famous red boxes of Redbox have not all been removed from their publicly accessible places, leaving many host locations with cumbersome vending machines. Furthermore, hobbyists can get ahold of the old kiosks—one such hobbyist managed to run the video game Doom on one—meaning hackers can get their hands on one, too.

The Problem: These Kiosks Have a Lot of Data in Them

Programmer Foone Turing took it upon herself to crack into a hard drive image (basically, a compressed copy of the hard drive) of an old machine.

By doing so, Turing was able to extract a ton of data, which contained a ton of personally identifiable information. For instance:

  • All email addresses and zip codes that had ever rented a disc
  • The discs each email address had rented, and when
  • Partially hidden credit card numbers (Turing’s example: 1234 56## #### 7890)

So, when you factor in how prevalent these media relics still are today and how easy it is for people to get their hands on kiosks that have been effectively abandoned, the picture is concerning.

The Big-Picture Messages

First and foremost, we all need to be more discerning about sharing our data. We never know how diligent a company is about securing it or even where it is being stored. Let’s face it: Redbox had hard drives with minimal protection sitting in publicly accessible kiosks for years. Who’s to say what another business is doing with the data we provide to them? We must consider how much we share and whether or not it is necessary.

Second, businesses need to meet a certain threshold of cybersecurity these days—not only to maintain trust amongst their customer base, but also to ensure they are protected from various threats that can harm their actual operations.

Voyage Technology can help Western Kentucky businesses with both, taking responsibility for reinforcing proper data handling practices and maintaining the necessary cybersecurity protections. Give us a call at 800.618.9844 to learn more.

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Mobile? Grab this Article!

Qr Code

Tag Cloud

Security Technology Tip of the Week Best Practices Business Computing Data Productivity Business Software Innovation Hackers Cloud Network Security Internet Hardware Efficiency IT Support User Tips Malware Privacy Phishing Email Google Workplace Tips Computer Users Collaboration IT Services Mobile Device Hosted Solutions Quick Tips Ransomware Cybersecurity Microsoft Workplace Strategy Small Business Data Backup Communication Smartphone Android Saving Money VoIP Business Management Smartphones Mobile Devices communications Backup Passwords Data Recovery Managed IT Services Upgrade Managed Service Social Media Microsoft Office Disaster Recovery Browser Tech Term Network Internet of Things Remote Automation Artificial Intelligence Facebook Covid-19 Cloud Computing Windows Server Managed Service Provider Remote Work Current Events Miscellaneous Gadgets Holiday Productivity Outsourced IT Information Spam Employee/Employer Relationship Encryption Windows 10 AI Training Compliance Office Business Continuity Data Management Government Business Technology Bandwidth Blockchain Windows 10 Virtualization Wi-Fi Apps Two-factor Authentication Mobile Office Data Security Managed Services Employer-Employee Relationship Voice over Internet Protocol Chrome Budget Mobile Device Management Vendor Apple Networking Gmail App Conferencing Information Technology Access Control Hacker Office 365 Tip of the week Avoiding Downtime Applications How To BDR WiFi BYOD Computing Virtual Private Network Risk Management Healthcare Health Computers Office Tips Analytics Augmented Reality Website Retail Marketing Storage Password HIPAA Bring Your Own Device Router Managed IT Services Help Desk Big Data Operating System Remote Workers Display Printer Telephone Customer Service Paperless Office Infrastructure Cooperation Free Resource IT Support Project Management Document Management Windows 7 Microsoft 365 Scam Solutions Data loss Firewall Going Green Patch Management The Internet of Things Windows 11 Save Money 2FA Monitoring Remote Monitoring Vulnerability End of Support Social Vendor Management Cybercrime Excel Cryptocurrency Customer Relationship Management Managed IT Service Computer Repair Downloads Virtual Desktop iPhone Data storage LiFi Hacking Licensing Presentation Entertainment Vulnerabilities Outlook Data Privacy Wireless Technology Machine Learning Images 101 Money Humor Telephone System Multi-Factor Authentication Mobility Cost Management Maintenance Antivirus Sports Word Mouse Employees Administration Integration User Tip Modem Processor Safety Mobile Security Holidays Robot Settings Data Storage Printing Smart Technology Supply Chain Wireless Video Conferencing Content Filtering Managed Services Provider IT Management Saving Time VPN Virtual Machines YouTube Meetings Professional Services Physical Security Identity Evernote Paperless Regulations Compliance Bookmark Smart Tech Memes Point of Sale Co-managed IT 5G Experience Google Docs Download Net Neutrality Unified Communications Alerts SQL Server Technology Care Bitcoin Network Management Competition History Running Cable Tech Support Business Communications Financial Data Browsers Smartwatch Google Wallet Connectivity IT Break Fix Scams Monitors Upload Procurement Azure Hybrid Work Windows 8 Cyber security Laptop Websites Multi-Factor Security Tech Human Resources Social Network Telework CES Drones IoT Communitications User Dark Web Cables Electronic Medical Records SharePoint Trends Supply Chain Management Customer Resource management FinTech Regulations Halloween Google Calendar Term Google Apps Data Analysis Lenovo IP Address Star Wars IT Assessment Microsoft Excel IT Maintenance Writing Staff Value Business Intelligence Virtual Reality Gamification Flexibility Organization Hacks Server Management Social Networking Scary Stories Private Cloud Legislation Shortcuts Fileless Malware Digital Security Cameras Superfish Smart Devices Identity Theft Recovery Ransmoware Fun Hard Drives Wearable Technology Memory Vendors Twitter Content Remote Working Deep Learning Health IT Domains Motherboard Data Breach Error Comparison Google Play Be Proactive Directions Videos Assessment Electronic Health Records Education Permissions Workforce Social Engineering Refrigeration Wasting Time Threats Remote Computing Mobile Computing Public Speaking Trend Micro Specifications Security Cameras Workplace Strategies Microchip Lithium-ion battery Internet Exlporer Software as a Service Tablet Fraud Meta Search Managing Costs Amazon Alert Entrepreneur Username Best Practice Managed IT eCommerce Buisness File Sharing Black Friday SSID Dark Data Legal Database Surveillance IT solutions Virtual Assistant Outsource IT How To Undo IT Technicians Virtual Machine Environment Notifications Media Business Growth Proxy Server Reviews Cookies Travel Cyber Monday Medical IT Techology Tactics Development Google Maps Hotspot Transportation Small Businesses Cortana Mirgation Hypervisor Displays Alt Codes Shopping Nanotechnology Optimization Downtime Unified Threat Management PowerPoint Unified Threat Management Addiction Hosted Solution Application Language Employer/Employee Relationships Outsourcing Chatbots Navigation Management PCI DSS Typing Gig Economy IBM Screen Reader Distributed Denial of Service Workplace Network Congestion Google Drive User Error Service Level Agreement Internet Service Provider Computing Infrastructure Teamwork Hiring/Firing Knowledge

Blog Archive