Chamber of Commerce protects online register

May 09, 2011 6:21 AM

The Chamber of Commerce (KvK) has taken extra security measures to protect the online register of registered companies and institutions.

The private address data of entrepreneurs and board of directors of institutions has been removed. The website is also protected against hacking.

Various media had reported recently that hackers had made use of the online register. Thieves had checked the list, looking for addresses of wealthy entrepreneurs where they could net a haul. However, the police had never informed the KvK officially about this new hacking method, says John Jacobs, director of the KvK.

The number of reactions on the news report was considerable, according to Jacobs. “The news caused much unrest amongst the members,” says the director. The KvK adjusted the website that same day. Jacobs lost no time. After office hours, a programmer removed the private address data from the website. With a speed, seldom displayed on the island, the register was provided with additional security. Users, wishing to consult the register, have to pass the reaction test first, the so-called captcha, short for ‘completely automated public Turing-test to tell computers and humans apart’.

The user must for example type in the figures that appear on the screen and the user could be asked to type in the color of a word on the screen. The possibilities also include sums. Captacha’s are used to protect the website against robots. The latter scour the internet constantly and some pass information about a website on to a search machine. Criminal organizations also make use of these robots to obtain information easily. A captcha is installed to prevent robots from obtaining information easily. There is no way robots can execute visual orders. Misformed figures and colors are not recognized. However, a human being can.

The KvK has further decided not to include private data from legal bodies and officials in the excerpts of the KvK. To obtain this data, interested parties have to visit the KvK, where it is available for perusal. These extra security measures are temporary. Jacobs: “A further upgrading of the security of the register will follow.” In the future, users must produce a profile; they will be allowed access to the register with their username and password. “The login data can be traced back to identifiable persons,” says Jacobs. The website of the KvK is frequently visited. According to Jacobs, the number of hits runs in the thousands per month. Many institutions make use of the register, looking up information on certain companies. The island has an active international financial service. A large number of foreign companies consult the register for possible market (contracting) parties. The KvK aims to keep the register accessible for a wide audience.

(Source: National Newspaper Amigoe)

9 May 2011