Extortion has been around since the turn of time and in recent years more and more "hackers" are using this method to try and bully their victims into paying money to prevent their websites or services being hacked. This week it has come to light that a hacker using the handle @RexMundi_Anon has been attempting to…
New Texas privacy law adds more hassle, expense
John K. Wisniewski, the CEO/executive director of the Bexar County Medical Society, is not happy with Texas’s new law (HB 300) that goes into effect this month. The law goes beyond what HIPAA requires: The changes begin with a broadened definition of “covered entities,” to include almost anyone who handles protected health information. This may…
Monroe Police Arrest 2 Suspected of Stealing 300 Identities Nationwide
Bill Bittar reports: Two New York men turned themselves in on warrants Thursday morning for allegedly attempting to use a bogus credit card at the Rite Aid at 435 Main Street in Monroe on July 10. A police investigation determined the duo had approximately 300 other victims of identity theft and credit card fraud. Read more on…
Breach at beer distributor results in hundreds of compromised card numbers being used nationwide
Target 11 in Pittsburgh reports hundreds of credit and debit cards have been compromised by a security breach at a Washington, Pa., beer distributor, Six Pack Charlie’s. The distributor’s card payment system was breached somehow, but details are not yet available.
Feinstein Institute for Medical Research notifies 13,000 research participants after laptop with PHI stolen from employee's car
A press release from the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research: After learning that a laptop containing research study information was stolen from an employee’s car, the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research announced today it is sending letters to some research participants, advising of the possible disclosure of some personal and health information. “Although both the computer…
When you only look at part of the elephant: Data breach winners and losers by state
Erin McCann has an article on data breaches in the healthcare sector: So who are the biggest offenders by state? Generally, states with the highest population have the highest number of data breaches. For instance, California and Texas top the list, banking the highest number of data breaches in the nation. However, when population is…