Jeremy Kirk reports: Researchers at AVG have uncovered a botnet that has been harvesting personal information and uses the latest version of the Zeus code, underscoring the widespread use of the sophisticated malware. Dubbed the Mumba botnet, the campaign infected more than 35,000 computers when it started at the end of April, according to a…
Author: Dissent
Recent computer thefts at Montefiore affected 39,000
As a brief update on the Montefiore Medical Center breaches reported previously: According to a hospital spokesperson with whom I spoke today, the Finance Department theft affected 16,000 patients, while the School Health Program theft affected 23,000 students and their families. No arrest has been made in either case yet. The hospital declined to be…
New ID theft targets kids’ SS numbers
Bill Draper of the Associated Press reports: …. Hundreds of online businesses are using computers to find dormant Social Security numbers — usually those assigned to children who don’t use them — then selling those numbers under another name to help people establish phony credit and run up huge debts they will never pay off….
Texas Firm Blames Bank for $50,000 Cyber Heist
Brian Krebs reports: A business telephone equipment company in Texas is trying to force its bank into a settlement over an attack by organized cyber thieves last year that cost the company $50,000. Attorneys for Dallas-based Hi-Line Supply Inc. recently convinced a state court to require depositions from officials at Community Bank, Inc. of Rockwall,…
(update) Aetna file cabinet contained more records than previously thought?
As previously reported on this site, a file cabinet containing paper records on New Jersey and Pennsylvania policy holders had been found by the side of the road in Connecticut. Aetna reported the incident to HHS last week, indicating that 6,372 policy holders were affected (in contrast to earlier reports variously indicating 4,900 or 5,000)….
Petri bill would enlist IRS against identity theft
U.S. Rep. Tom Petri is introducing federal legislation to fix a loophole that the IRS claims prevents it from informing people if the IRS detects that their Social Security Number has been fraudulently used… … One resident of Princeton, Wis., learned that he was a victim of the fraud as a result of a call…