A new study by Norton reveals the staggering prevalence of cybercrime: 65% of Internet users globally, and 73% of U.S. Web surfers have fallen victim to cybercrimes, including computer viruses, online credit card fraud and identity theft. As the most victimized nations, America ranks third, after China (83%) and Brazil and India (76%). The first…
UK police officer fined over privacy breach
Looks like another UK police officer has been disciplined for violating data protection laws by snooping. The Jersey Evening Post reports that Paul Byrne misused the force’s database to look up the address of a woman who is dating his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend. He was fined £300 by the Magistrate’s Court and could face further…
Follow-up: South Shore Hospital Reports Findings from Investigation into Missing Back-Up Computer Files
A statement from South Shore Hospital posted today on their web site reveals the names of other entities involved in the sequence of events in a recent breach and reports their conclusions following their investigation: South Shore Hospital today announced that it has completed its investigation into the loss of its back-up computer files. All available…
UNL tightens computer security after hacking
The Associated Press reports: A 24-year-old University of Nebraska-Lincoln student has been charged with hacking into his ex-girlfriend’s computer account, prompting the university to tighten its computer system’s security. Graduate student Mauricio Martinez Eusso guessed the answers to his former girlfriend’s password questions, the Lincoln Journal Star reported. Police said he then changed her password…
NC: Sheriffs want lists of patients using painkillers
From the worst-idea-of-the-week dept. Lynn Bonner reports: Sheriffs in North Carolina want access to state computer records identifying anyone with prescriptions for powerful painkillers and other controlled substances. The state sheriff’s association pushed the idea Tuesday, saying the move would help them make drug arrests and curb a growing problem of prescription drug abuse. But…
SeaChange Intl notifies employees in 26 states about potential ID theft
According to a notification submitted to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office that was obtained by DataBreaches.net, SeaChange Intl. discovered back in July that a temporary administrative assistant had stolen an employee’s identity. The temporary administrative assistant, who had access to all U.S. employees’ information because of the nature of her work, confessed and was terminated…