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Robert Martis · Joined: 14 May 2005 Posts: 22

Jackson Community College's computer system security was breached by a hacker who may have downloaded encrypted passwords

JCC systems were compromised when someone hacked into a computer with significant administrative rights within the Information Technology office from an external source.

The College has long used Social Security numbers as default passwords in setting up e-mail and computer accounts. Though people are encouraged to change their passwords, many continue to use their Social Security numbers. The hacker may have downloaded encrypted passwords for 8,000 JCC employees and students, which could allow for possible identity theft.

In the near future, probably early next week, the College will begin enforcing a more stringent password policy requiring the combination of lower- and upper-case letters, numbers and punctuation marks, which are much more difficult to decrypt because of the almost endless number of possibilities.

Robert Martis · Joined: 14 May 2005 Posts: 22

Effects of ID theft can last a lifetime

People whose personal information has been stolen or lost will remain vulnerable for the rest of their lives. Savvy criminals are likely to use such personal information - most of which can’t be changed - months or years from now.

A number of companies have lost Social Security, driver's license, credit card and bank account numbers. Criminals as far away as Nigeria and China can use those numbers to get credit cards, start businesses and transfer money.

Of the data thefts and accidents announced in the last six months, only one - the stolen information of at least 145,000 people - has led to fraud so far. However, such accidents are likely to happen again in the near future.

See the full story at Effects of ID theft can last a lifetime

Robert Martis · Joined: 14 May 2005 Posts: 22

The theft of computer data at an Arizona company that put as many as 40 million credit card accounts at risk for fraud may have been the largest case of stolen consumer information yet.

The incident, which was revealed last week and may have occurred months ago, surely will not be the last. In fact, the theft was only the latest in a series of incidents, not all of which involved criminal activity.

The problem of keeping data secure exists on lots and lots of levels. Like seismologists who can look at smaller tremors and know that a major quake is in the offing, consultants and others who study data security and identity theft can confidently predict that more trouble is ahead.

However, the long-term danger is extraction of self, so that others might know more about you than you know about yourself.

There is now a law in California requiring companies to inform consumers when their information is breached. This represented a fundamental change. "You no longer have the prerogative of hiding that you've been hacked. People knew it was bad, but no one adequately predicted the visceral impact of seeing the number and severity of cases that have occurred."

See full story at Worry. But Don't Stress Out.

Robert Martis · Joined: 14 May 2005 Posts: 22

The concerns over identity theft increased with the recent news that 40 million credit card numbers were compromised last month when a hacker apparently broke into a credit card processing computer system.

Since mid-February, the credit card or other personal information of nearly 50 million people has been stolen from companies that collect it, almost always without their knowledge.

You can find a large number of credit card numbers, bank statements, tax returns and user passwords just by typing a few key words in Google and going to public records.

Many experts blame companies that collect data for not protecting it through encryption. Businesses, universities and the government should work together to figure out how to solve the problem of data thefts.

Most companies are now reviewing their security practices in light of recent thefts. They feel like this would be devastating to their reputations if consumers find out that their information is not protected.

In fact, the best weapon consumers have now is fear that a data theft would harm a company's reputation. Consumers can almost always avoid paying for fraud by reporting it to their credit card company.

See the full story at Retailers go on higher alert to halt credit fraud