Information Security News: Hacker Hits License Plate Database

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_120165420.html

Apr 29, 2004

CHICAGO (AP) The FBI and secretary of state police were trying to
determine how a hacker tapped into as many as 200,000 temporary
license plate records in an Illinois secretary of state computer
database over the weekend, officials said.

Only the temporary registration permit database was compromised, not
the main drivers' license system that includes Social Security
numbers, secretary of state spokesman Dave Druker said Wednesday.

"The only thing we think possibly could have occurred was somebody was
able to look at records and print copies," Druker said. "We don't know
what they viewed."

The hacker is believed to have gotten in after 7:30 a.m. Saturday.  
State employees in Springfield reported that morning that the system
wasn't working, prompting White's office to contact Microsoft and
Symantec, a security provider.

It was the first time a secretary of state computer system has been
hacked during Jesse White's tenure, Druker said.

The office issues about 1.2 million temporary plates a year. The
database includes plate numbers, addresses and vehicle information.

Druker declined to comment on a motive for the attack.



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