Ryan de Souza reports: DAC Group, a Toronto-based digital & content marketing agency has suffered a security breach on their server resulting in data theft of 93,000 customer accounts — In normal circumstances it would be just another security breach but what makes this breach exceptional is the 77,000 leaked accounts from Bloomington, Illinois-based State Farm,…
Category: U.S.
Janesville computer systems hit by virus, likely ‘ransomware’
Jessica Arp reports: Janesville (Wisconsin) officials said they’re still working to recover after a computer virus attacked their network last week. Information Technology Manager Gordy LaChance said it was caused by multiple employees opening compromised emails that immediately started gathering and reorganizing files in their system. Both emails looked like they were from businesses that…
Monsanto Says Worker Stole Data
Jacob Bunge reports: Monsanto Co. sued a former computer programmer, alleging he stole proprietary files after resigning to explore a job at a Chinese seed company. The lawsuit comes as the agriculture industry’s embrace of high-tech software and analytics, led by big companies like Monsanto and Deere & Co. as well as startups, has opened…
Equifax service remains mum about client reports of tax refund fraud
Back in April, DataBreaches.net noted that Stanford University was notifying its employees about tax refund fraud. The fraud appeared to result from perpetrators downloading employees’ W-2 information from the university’s vendor, W-2 Express, and then using the info to file fraudulent returns. W-2 information typically includes an employee’s name and address, their wage and salary information, as well…
FEMA Mishandles Sensitive Information at Disaster Sites: IG Report
Jack Moore reports: After a wildfire tears through your community, the last thing you may be worried about is having your identity stolen or your personal information breached. But maybe you should be. A new inspector general report finds the Federal Emergency Management Agency still struggles to properly handle the safeguarding of personally identifiable information,…
NJ financial advisor admits identity theft that cost clients $500k
Sergio Bichao reports: A Middletown financial advisor accused of bilking nearly 20 clients out of a half million dollars has pleaded guilty to the charges against him. Christopher D. Biello [aka Christopher Sherman], 43, is facing as many as 14 years in prison when he is sentenced Nov. 4, and may be ordered to pay…