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Insecure World
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Insecure World
Security Headlines from around the globeIT security breaches happen every single day. Headlines of security incidents from today's insecure world are a constant reminder of just how insecure valuable data, perhaps anyone's information, really may be.
Met police payroll details stolen
Burglars have stolen laptop computers containing the payroll details of half of the Metropolitan Police staff, Scotland Yard has said.
Published 22 November 2006, BBC News
The raided premises is used by LogicaCMG, which runs the Met's pay and pension services. A Scotland Yard spokesman said there was "minimal" risk of the staff involved falling victim to fraud or identity theft.
Millions at risk in laptop theft
Eleven million Nationwide customers may have been put at risk of identity crime after an employee's laptop was stolen. The computer with customer information on it was stolen during a domestic burglary three months ago.
Published 18 November 2006, BBC News
Nationwide is still refusing to give much detail. It said it is following police advice and does not want to cause alarm. It said the laptop was "security protected" but would not explain if that meant the data was encrypted or coded to foil identity thieves.
Labour Party security plan stolen
Thieves have stolen a laptop containing top secret security plans for next week's Labour Party conference. The computer was taken from a car driven by a member of the armed forces when it was parked at motorway services on the M3 in Hampshire on Tuesday.
Published September 21, 2006 - BBC News
An MoD spokesman said security plans for the conferences in Manchester and Bournemouth had been "fully reviewed". A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said plans for policing the conference, which starts on Sunday at the city's GMEX conference centre, had been changed to ensure security was not compromised.
OMB Sets Guidelines for Federal Employee Laptop Security
The Bush administration is giving federal civilian agencies 45 days to implement new measures to protect the security of personal information that agencies hold on millions of employees and citizens.
Published June 27, 2006 - Washington Post
To comply with the new policy, agencies will have to encrypt all data on laptop or handheld computers unless the data are classified as "non-sensitive" by an agency's deputy director.
Bungle exposes bank files
The banking details of thousands of Australians have been revealed and an international police investigation jeopardised in a bungle by Australia's peak internet crime-fighting agency.
Published, June 26, 2006 - The Australian
Inquiries by The Australian have revealed a police officer with the AHTCC (Australian High Tech Crime Centre) lost a memory stick - containing the dossier, between Sydney and London.
Data theft affects 88 million-plus Americans
The steady stream of data breaches that started with ChoicePoint Inc. in February 2005 has left more than 88 million Americans at risk for identity fraud, according to a list tallied by the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC). The latest incidents, which have not yet made it onto the PRC's list, involve Foster City, Calif.-based Visa USA Inc. and Atlanta, Ga.-based Equifax Inc.
Published June 21, 2006 — SearchSecurity.com
Tuesday both companies acknowledged security breaches. Visa said that an ATM security breakdown may have exposed data on an undisclosed number of customers. Separately, Equifax -- one of the three major U.S. credit reporting bureaus -- acknowledged that a laptop computer containing employee names and Social Security numbers was stolen from a worker traveling on a train near London.
TransUnion will review its data handling processes after loss of desktop system with information on more than 3,600 consumers
TransUnion's disclosure follows a string of compromised data incidents that have hit companies such as Bank of America, CardSystems Solutions Inc., and others.
Published Nov 09, 2005 — Information Week
With federal legislators mulling over options for fighting identify theft and fraud, TransUnion LLC, one of three companies that maintain consumer credit histories, provided the latest scare Wednesday, revealing that a password protected PC containing personal credit information on more than 3,600 consumers was stolen from a regional sales office in California last month.
Missing backup tapes spur encryption at Time-Warner
40 tapes with personal information lost in transit
Published May 06, 2005 — Network World
Time Warner this week said it will "quickly" begin encrypting all data saved to backup tapes after 40 tapes with personal information on about 600,000 current and former employees were lost in transit to a storage facility.
Store's Floor Model Computer Loaded With Woman's Personal Info
Colorado woman shocked to learn a computer was sold containing years worth of personal data
Published May 06, 2005 — KMGH-TV, Denver CO / U.S.
Imagine receiving a phone call from a stranger who knew your most private thoughts, knew what you looked like, knew your Social Security number, and even knew how much you make and where you work.
That happened to a Colorado woman after she took her computer to a major electronics store. Her situation may be surprising given all the warnings about identity theft. But it's not surprising if you think for a moment about what's on your personal computer. There may be files about your income, business records, taxes, personal e-mails, dirty jokes, pictures and more.
Data theft affects 145,000 nationwide
Suspect arrested in ChoicePoint case agrees to plea deal
Published Feb 18, 2005 — MSNBC
NEW YORK - Database giant ChoicePoint said late Wednesday that 145,000 consumers nationwide were placed at risk by a recent data theft at the company. Previously, the company had suggested the theft only affected California residents.
Hacker penetrates T-Mobile systems
Published Jan 11, 2005 — SecurityFocus.com website
A sophisticated computer hacker had access to servers at wireless giant T-Mobile for at least a year, which he used to monitor U.S. Secret Service e-mail, obtain customers' passwords and Social Security numbers, and download candid photos taken by Sidekick users, including Hollywood celebrities, SecurityFocus has learned.
Hacker Compromises Data At George Mason University
Private information on 32,000 students and staff was compromised.
Published Jan 10, 2005 — ComputerWorld
A database at George Mason University containing confidential information on thousands of students and staff has been hacked, and school officials are warning that the data could be used by identity thieves.
