Mobile payments may be the future, but they're still unsafe

It's clear that many of us soon will be paying for stuff at the store with our smartphones. Wal-Mart, Target and a bunch of other retailers are the latest to jump aboard the mobile-payments express train. But is it safe? Doesn't look like it, at least not yet.

A recent security conference in Las Vegas demonstrated that the technology may not be ready for prime time. Tech pros at the event showed the ease with which hackers could steal photos, surf the Web and even make phone calls from your device thanks to the mobile-payment system. These systems rely on what's known as near-field communication technology. This makes it possible for two devices to connect when in close proximity. But that digital kiss also provides a window for hackers to jump in. Undoubtedly there will be ways to boost the security of mobile devices. But at the moment, we're not there. Which is why I'll be sticking for a bit more to old-fashioned cash.