Password Spamming Screwup

Chris Tweney writes "Theglobe.com stuck its foot in the proverbial cow flop on Monday when it sent messages to about 35,000 users -- saying "congratulations, you've been signed up for theglobe.com's VIP service!" the kicker: each message provided a username and password that would seem strangely familiar to those who had already registered at AdAge.com. Seems the folks at Advertising Age sold their user database -- including unhashed passwords and usernames -- to theglobe. I received one of these mails, and boy, was it scary. I've had to change my password at nearly every (unsecure) site I use. Like theglobe's TV spots say: "your first full-service online integrated virtual community". So well integrated you don't even have to worry about password privacy!" Salon Magazine has more.