[coldpie]

I never said we should do nothing! What we need to do is acknowledge the fact that networked computers are semi-public, and behave appropriately. Do you really need to put that information into a computer? Do you really need to give that information to someone who will put it into a computer? Do you really need to hook up your computer-based public infrastructure to the network? The cost/benefit evaluation changes when you remember that computer security doesn't exist.

[ta1243]

Sadly yes, if I want to be paid then my employer needs my bank account details, it also needs things like name, address, ssn etc for various tax reasons. That information is then given to the lowest bidder to "keep safe". Inevitably it gets mislaid.

[sneed_chucker]

> Sadly yes, if I want to be paid then my employer needs my bank account details

I mean under current systems, yes, but it doesn't need to be that way.

There is no reason why banks can't offer a system where there's a unique ID for your account that can be used to pay you money but not withdraw that you can give employers or other people who want to pay you.

The whole routing/account number thing is just a vestigial holdover from checks.