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Consumer Database Company Hacked
fermion writes "The NYT(FRR) and others are reporting that a hacker has broken into a Acxiom server. Acxiom evidently is "one of the world's largest consumer database companies" and serves most top credit card companies and retail banks. There are a few items that stand out in this case. First, Acxiom had no idea that the breach occurred until the company was contacted by the police. Second, the theft was an inside job. The suspect, now in police custody, was an employee with legitimate access to the information. It amazes me that a such a company would have such lax security as to allow an insider to browse supposedly private data at will. Third, the company is taking no responsibility for the break in other than reporting it to the clients, who then may or may not inform their customers." Acxiom is a Certified Participant in the BBBOnline Privacy Program.
Maher Hawash, an Intel software engineer whose detention in Oregon prompted high-profile protests about civil rights abuse, pleaded guilty yesterday to a federal charge of conspiring to help the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Washington Post reports. In return for his promise to testify against six other Portland-based suspects accused of plotting in 2001 to wage war against the United States, federal prosecutors dropped more serious terrorism charges against Hawash.
This case is noteworthy for two reasons. First, Hawash had a lot of advocates who loudly declared his innocence. The Free Mike Hawash! Web site is still up, though it hasn't been updated with news of his guilty plea (indeed, the latest news on it is from May 6).
Second, Hawash and his alleged co-conspirators are from Portland--a city whose police department notoriously announced in November 2001 that it would refuse to cooperate with federal terrorism investigations. Let's hope there's some rethinking going on in the Beaver State.
Is this better than sex with a mare? I think not!
It amazes me that a such a company would have such lax security as to allow an insider to browse supposedly private data at will.
love is just extroverted narcissism
There was a bank robbery in Shelbyville today when 48 year old Steve Lekowski found $10 on the floor in the rest room and instead of handing it in, he put it in his pocket.
There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
Would you use a homemade security system made out of string and tin cans to secure your home?
No?
Then why in the hell would anyone use a homemade, third rate, half-stolen copy of lunix to secure their data?
It's ridiculous, there ought to be a law. Once the warez rings that distribute it are brought under control, though, I'm sure the rightful owners of the code can tighten it up and sell it with some real security.
I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
we give DBA vodka and ladies so this doesn't happen