Target data breach showcases lagging US credit security

As the Target data breach continues to unravel, electronic transaction experts are discussing ways to make consumer financial information more secure.

Credit transactions outside the United States are much safer, according to a Los Angeles Daily News report:

U.S. credit and debit cards rely on an easy-to-copy magnetic strip on the back of the card, which stores account information using the same technology as cassette tapes...

In most countries outside the U.S., people carry cards that use digital chips to hold account information. The chip generates a unique code every time it's used. That makes the cards more difficult for criminals to replicate. So difficult that they generally don't bother.