A reader, Ewald Proll, sends this breach report: In Austria, hackers retrieved from the internet a database containing emergency data. These data had been transmitted unsecured and were intercepted by an individual, using a scanner, a soundcard, and a freely distributed piece of software. The authorities refused to comment this leakage so far. Source: Heise…
Author: Dissent
Website exposes sensitive details on military personnel
Dan Goodin reports: Programming errors on a website that helps commuters carpool to work are exposing sensitive information of workers for hundreds of employers in Southern California, including at least one military installation. The bugs, discovered last month on RideMatch.info, allow hackers access to a variety of personal information, including individuals’ names, home addresses, phone…
Data Breaches: Patterns and Their Implications
Luther Martin of Voltage Security has an article on patterns in breaches and how recognizing certain patterns or mathematical likelihoods can help us determine if industry efforts to reduce breaches are actually making an impact. You can read his article on CSO Online.
DC medical receptionist guilty in $2 million ID theft scheme
Associated Press reports that Makieta Leake pleaded guilty to stealing bank account information from patients as part of an identity theft ring. Leake is the fifth person to plead guilty in a ring that victimized Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.  According to AP: Leake admitted she stole information from 37 patients. She was paid between $200…
Bits ‘n Pieces
In the justice system: Cecil H. Savage was arrested and charged with stealing the identities of 58 dead people and using their IDs for fraudulent purposes. He allegedly obtained their personal information over the internet. More. Three people – Leslie Washington, Malon Jackson, and Jackson’s husband, Theron Smith – have been sentenced to federal prison…
Nearly a dozen charged in counterfeit credit card scheme
Michelle Knoll reports: Prosecutors have charged eleven people in an elaborate, counterfeit credit card scheme. Eight of them are in custody. Federal investigators are still looking for the other three defendants. According to the criminal complaint, between July 2008 and April 2009 the group is accused of purchasing the personal information of Capitol One Bank…