DataBreaches.Net

Menu
  • About
  • Breach Notification Laws
  • Privacy Policy
  • Transparency Report
Menu

2005 called and they want their reassurances back

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Dissent

Am I the only one who actually feels embarrassed these days to read a breach notification  that tries to reassure those notified by emphasizing that the data were password protected?  Consider this excerpt from a breach notification written last month:

However, the information on the server is password protected. Accordingly, for any unauthorized person to gain access to any of the information contained on our server, they would first have to know and enter a confidential password for the computer system.

Our firm believes the equipment, which was stolen, was probably taken for the value of the hardware, rather than the information contained on it. Additionally, as set forth above, the information is password protected, and it is unlikely that unauthorized persons would be unable (sic) to break through the password security system in order to access confidential data.

From the notification letter sent by Green’s Accounting, concerning a burglary that resulted in theft of a server with unencrypted personal information.

What really scares me is the possibility they believe that a password is sufficient protection for Social Security numbers and bank account information.  Their letter does not indicate that they plan to start encrypting data. Nor does it mention, for that matter, what they intend to do about their physical security to prevent another burglary. If all it took was breaking a window with a rock, well, that doesn’t sound like great physical security was in place.

Category: Business SectorTheft

Post navigation

← OCR dismisses Walgreens ‘Well Experience’ HIPAA complaint
Boulder Community Health investigating patient records allegedly acquired from unlocked bins or dumpsters →

Now more than ever

"Stand with Ukraine:" above raised hands. The illustration is in blue and yellow, the colors of Ukraine's flag.

Search

Browse by Categories

Recent Posts

  • Iran-Linked Threat Actors Leak Visitors and Athletes’ Data from Saudi Games
  • UK: Oxford City Council still investigating cyberattack from earlier this month
  • Steelmaker Nucor Says Hackers Stole Data in Recent Attack
  • People’s Republic of China cyber threat activity: Cyber Threat Bulletin
  • Ukrainian Web3 security auditing company Hacken suffered an attack that allowed a hacker to create 900 million HAI tokens
  • McLaren provides written notice to 743,131 patients after ransomware attack in July 2024
  • A state forensics lab was leaking its files. Getting it locked down involved a number of people.
  • CoinMarketCap Hacked, Scrambles to Remove Malicious Wallet Verification Popup
  • Montana Attorney General launches investigation into Lee Enterprises data breach
  • AT&T gets preliminary approval for $177 million data breach settlement

No, You Can’t Buy a Post or an Interview

This site does not accept sponsored posts or link-back arrangements. Inquiries about either are ignored.

And despite what some trolls may try to claim: DataBreaches has never accepted even one dime to interview or report on anyone. Nor will DataBreaches ever pay anyone for data or to interview them.

Want to Get Our RSS Feed?

Grab it here:

https://databreaches.net/feed/

RSS Recent Posts on PogoWasRight.org

  • Sky Views Personal Data as a Potential Weapon in IPTV Piracy War
  • Florida Used a Nationwide Surveillance Camera Network 250 Times To Aid in Immigration Arrests
  • Federal Court Strikes Down HIPAA Reproductive Health Care Privacy Rule
  • The Markup caught 4 more states sharing personal health data with Big Tech
  • Privacy in the Big Sky State: Montana’s Consumer Privacy Law Gets Amended
  • UK Passes Data Use and Access Regulation Bill
  • Officials defend Liberal bill that would force hospitals, banks, hotels to hand over data

Have a News Tip?

Email: Tips[at]DataBreaches.net

Signal: +1 516-776-7756

Contact Me

Email: info[at]databreaches.net

Mastodon: Infosec.Exchange/@PogoWasRight

Signal: +1 516-776-7756

DMCA Concern: dmca[at]databreaches.net
© 2009 – 2025 DataBreaches.net and DataBreaches LLC. All rights reserved.