Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Security Gaps Found in Massive Visa Database (go.com)

Posted by msmash on from the security-woes dept.

Mike Levine and Justin Fishel, reporting for ABC News: Cyber-defense experts found security gaps in a State Department system that could have allowed hackers to doctor visa applications or pilfer sensitive data from the half-billion records on file, according to several sources familiar with the matter -- though defenders of the agency downplayed the threat and said the vulnerabilities would be difficult to exploit. Briefed to high-level officials across government, the discovery that visa-related records were potentially vulnerable to illicit changes sparked concern because foreign nations are relentlessly looking for ways to plant spies inside the United States, and terrorist groups like ISIS have expressed their desire to exploit the U.S. visa system, sources added.

3 of 21 comments (clear)

  1. Visas by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

    Oh, visas to the US. I thought it was something important. Never mind

  2. Yes, but that's not the way to do it by Bruce66423 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Why bother with a visa? Just arrive, and then disappear into the undocumented community. Too much like hard work the other way. No benefit.

  3. "Difficult to exploit". by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It's a good thing our enemies are stupid. You know, like the Chinese that now own the OPM systems and data. New fingerprints, anyone?