From the highlights of a newly released GAO report: Twenty-four major federal agencies did not consistently demonstrate that they are effectively responding to cyber incidents (a security breach of a computerized system and information). Based on a statistical sample of cyber incidents reported in fiscal year 2012, GAO projects that these agencies did not completely…
Category: Of Note
Paytime, Inc. breach affected over 216,000
One day, businesses will heed my sage advice not to stay in the news cycle by letting details dribble out piecemeal. Today is not the day, however, so thankfully, idRADAR did some digging and has found out that over 215,000 were affected by the Paytime, Inc. breach covered previously on this blog. Jeanne Price reports:…
MasterCard Increases U.S. Cardholder Security – Quick Facts
MasterCard Inc. announced that it has enhanced to its security efforts, providing U.S. cardholders with greater protection from fraud and identity theft. The company noted that all MasterCard credit, debit, prepaid and small business cards issued in the U.S. will now carry Identity Theft Resolution assistance. The program provides help in canceling missing cards and…
Los Angeles County moves to require computer encryption after medical data breach
Abby Sewell reports: Following a break-in at a county health contractor’s office that led to the theft of computers containing personal information about more than 342,000 patients, Los Angeles County supervisors moved to tighten protocols for protecting data. The county already requires that workers’ laptops be encrypted. The supervisors voted Tuesday to extend that policy…
iPhone owners hit by ‘ransomware’ hack demanding money for their phones
James Vincent reports: An iPhone feature designed to discourage theft by letting users shut down their smartphone remotely has reportedly being compromised by hackers using it to hold mobiles to ransom. Posts from Apple’s official support forums describe how users’ Find My iPhone feature (also available for the iPad) has been hijacked by fraudsters who…
Government Seeks Seven-Month Sentence – Time Served – for LulzSec Leader ‘Sabu’
Kim Zetter reports: As a reward for his extensive cooperation helping prosecutors hunt down his fellow hackers, the government is seeking time served for the long-awaited sentencing of top LulzSec leader Hector Xavier Monsegur, also known as “Sabu.” After delaying his sentencing for nearly three years, the government has asked a federal court to sentence…