*NEWS*HACKER STEAL 59,000 PERSONAL DATA

Toner News Mobile Forums Latest Industry News *NEWS*HACKER STEAL 59,000 PERSONAL DATA

Date: Saturday March 26, 2005 09:58:00 am
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    Hackers Steal Personal Data on 59,000 People
    Victims’ Names and Social
    Security Numbers Stolen From California State University

    CHICO,Calif.(March 05)-Hackers gained personal
    information of 59,000 people affiliated with a California university – the
    latest in a string of high-profile cases of identity theft.

    California State University, Chico spokesman Joe Wills said
    nearly all the current, former and prospective students, faculty and staff who
    were affected have been notified of the theft, which happened about three weeks
    ago. Hackers gained access to the victims’ names and Social Security
    numbers.

    ”We still have no indication that the information was used
    for anything other than somebody wanting to have illegal access to this
    server,” Wills said. ”Typically, on a college campus that can be to download
    files, music and games. There’s still no indication they were looking to take
    personal information.”

    The university discovered the attacks during routine
    monitoring of its networks. The investigation revealed that hackers installed
    software to store files on the system and tried to break into other
    computers.

    Identity theft is considered the nation’s fastest-growing
    crime and last year more than 9.9 million Americans were victims.

    Earlier this year, 145,000 people were exposed by a breach
    at ChoicePoint Inc., which collects consumer data. At DSW Shoe Warehouse,
    officials acknowledged stolen credit information at 103 of its 175 stores.

    The information service, Lexis-Nexis, has also admitted
    hackers gained access to personal information of 32,000 of its customers.

    Other university systems have been targeted as well.

    Last April, hackers broke into the computer system of the
    University of California, San Diego, compromising confidential information on
    about 380,000 students, teachers, employees, alumni and applicants.

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