A file transfer program erroneously installed on a server in an Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) office at Boston University inadvertently exposed personal information about thousands of people affiliated with the program. University officials say the compromised computer was taken off-line when the breach was identified on July 28; they are working with the…
Author: Dissent
Computers stolen from Cal State L.A.
More than a dozen computers have been stolen from California State University, Los Angeles, sparking concerns over possible identity theft. Officials say on Aug. 1 someone broke a window in the office of the university’s Minority Opportunities in Research program and stole 14 computers, two desktops and 12 laptops. The computers contain the names, social…
HHS issues HITECH breach notification interim final rule
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued its interim final rule concerning notification of breaches of health information by HIPAA-covered entities. The rule was published in the Federal Register yesterday, and will become effective 30 days from then. The Federal Trade Commission recently issued a companion breach notification rule that covers vendors…
Lawsuit tries to get at hackers through the banks
A lawsuit filed on Wednesday against some of the most shadowy Internet criminals — gangs based in Eastern Europe that electronically break into business computers, steal banking passwords and transfer themselves money — is being used to pry information from a group that is nearly as reclusive as the hackers: banks whose computers have been…
Fears about confidentiality put off doctors from accessing mental health services
In a pretty convincing demonstration that we need better privacy and security protection for sensitive health information, the Royal College of Physicians recently issued this press release on their site: A majority of doctors would avoid seeking professional advice for mental health issues in an outpatient setting, according to a new survey published by the…
Law requiring ultrasounds for abortions is struck down
An Oklahoma judge decided Tuesday that doctors do not need to perform ultrasounds and offer women detailed information about the tests before performing abortions, striking down the strictest such law in the country. Oklahoma County District Judge Vicki L. Robertson ruled that the 2008 law, which included other abortion-related provisions, violated a state constitutional provision…