Month of September, 2005
1,600 Employees Exposed to ID Theft At The University of Georgia
Quick Facts
- Date: 9/29/2005
- Institution: University of Georgia
- Type of Incident: Penetration
- Number Affected: 1,600
- Source: EDUPAGE via INFOSEC Year In Review
- Abstract Source: AJC Metro
Abstract
The University of Georgia has revealed that a hacker was able to access a computer system that contained personal information for employees of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences as well as people who are paid from that department. Social Security numbers were in the accessed database, though no credit card information was exposed. In all, 2,400 Social Security numbers for about 1,600 people were compromised, and the university is working to contact those affected. According to Tom Jackson, spokesperson for the university, names and Social Security numbers in the database were not connected, but an experienced hacker would likely be able to correctly match them up. The university suffered another computer hack in January 2004. No arrests have been made in that incident. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 29 September 2005
[Abstract taken directly from INFOSEC Year In Review]
Stolen Laptop Recovered, Fate Of 98,000 Records Unknown
Quick Facts
- Date: 9/16/2005
- Institution: University of California, Berkeley
- Type of Incident: Theft
- Number Affected: 98,000
- Source: INFOSEC Year In Review
- Abstract Source: PC World via EDUPAGE
Abstract
A laptop stolen in March from the University of California at Berkeley has been recovered, after being bought and sold several times, ultimately landing in South Carolina. When stolen, the computer contained sensitive data on more than 98,000 UC Berkeley graduate students, but by the time it was recovered, all of its files and operating system had been cleared, making it impossible to determine if the personal information was accessed after the theft. Following the theft, the university worked to contact those whose data was contained on the computer, as required by California law, and also hired an outside consultant to audit the institution's practices of handling such data, according to spokesperson Janet Gilmore. The university is currently assessing the recommendations of that audit and how to implement them. PCWorld, 16 September 2005
[Abstract by Edupage Editors taken directly from Edupage, September 16, 2005]
