Hackers break into military insurance website
Date: Fri, 04/28/2006 - 18:13
By Gordon Lubold NavyTimes staff writer 28 April 2006
Computer hackers obtained Social Security numbers, credit card information and other personal data for thousands of active and retired service members after hacking into the Defense Department's Tricare Management Activity system in early April, Pentagon officials said Friday.Officials the personal information of more than 14,000 active and retired service members and dependents had fallen into the wrong hands.
Along with Social Security numbers, hackers tapped into records that included names, partial credit card numbers and some private employer information and personal health information, said Air Force Maj. Michael Shavers, a Pentagon spokesman.
The Pentagon said routine monitoring of the Tricare Management Activity's public servers on April 5 resulted in the discovery of an intrusion and that the personal records had been compromised, leaving open the possibility of identity theft among the members affected.
The information contained in the files varied and investigators do not know what, if any, criminal intent the perpetrators had, or if the information would be misused.Affected members were notified by mail earlier this month and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service has begun an investigation, defense officials said.
“As a result of this incident, we immediately implemented enhanced security controls throughout the network and installed additional monitoring tools to improve security of existing networks and data files,†said Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.
“Such incidents are reprehensible and we deeply regret the inconvenience this may cause the people we serve.â€TMA sent letters to the affected individuals, telling them what happened in April. “Additional information has been provided to assist them in understanding the potential risks and precautions they can take to protect their identities,†a Pentagon news release stated.
Computer hackers obtained Social Security numbers, credit card information and other personal data for thousands of active and retired service members after hacking into the Defense Department's Tricare Management Activity system in early April, Pentagon officials said Friday.Officials the personal information of more than 14,000 active and retired service members and dependents had fallen into the wrong hands.
Along with Social Security numbers, hackers tapped into records that included names, partial credit card numbers and some private employer information and personal health information, said Air Force Maj. Michael Shavers, a Pentagon spokesman.
The Pentagon said routine monitoring of the Tricare Management Activity's public servers on April 5 resulted in the discovery of an intrusion and that the personal records had been compromised, leaving open the possibility of identity theft among the members affected.
The information contained in the files varied and investigators do not know what, if any, criminal intent the perpetrators had, or if the information would be misused.Affected members were notified by mail earlier this month and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service has begun an investigation, defense officials said.
“As a result of this incident, we immediately implemented enhanced security controls throughout the network and installed additional monitoring tools to improve security of existing networks and data files,†said Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.
“Such incidents are reprehensible and we deeply regret the inconvenience this may cause the people we serve.â€TMA sent letters to the affected individuals, telling them what happened in April. “Additional information has been provided to assist them in understanding the potential risks and precautions they can take to protect their identities,†a Pentagon news release stated.
And to think, we thought this level of government had airtight s
And to think, we thought this level of government had airtight security! Now, what exactly are our tax dollars being used for?
Submitted by Jedi Mistress Ari on Fri, 04/28/2006 - 18:46
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No kidding. Though there have been reports of hackers breaking i
No kidding. Though there have been reports of hackers breaking into Pentagon computers. Those things should be the LAST that a hacker can get into imo.
Right on. I think our top-level security officials are sleeping
Right on. I think our top-level security officials are sleeping on the job. Such looseness with people's private information demands that someone be fired!
Submitted by Jedi Mistress Ari on Fri, 04/28/2006 - 18:54
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