Information Security News: Purdue notifies alumni of 2000 computer breach

[InfoSec News <alerts () infosecnews org>]

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/news/local/15585500.htm

Associated Press
Sept. 22, 2006

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - People who attended Purdue University in 2000 
were being notified of a security breach that might have resulted in 
unauthorized access to identifying information, including Social 
Security numbers.

University officials discovered the incident this month during a check 
of a workstation in the chemistry department. The incident involved a 
file dated Feb. 4, 2000, that contained Social Security numbers, 
names, e-mail addresses and other information for nearly 2,500 
students.

The security check showed an unauthorized person might have accessed 
the computer's hard drive remotely and installed software that would 
have permitted files to be downloaded.

"We know that the computer had been compromised," said Jeffrey Vitter, 
dean of the College of Science.

Purdue is trying to notify everyone whose information was included in 
the file. Those who do not receive a letter but believe they might 
have been in the affected group can contact Purdue at (866) 307-8520 
to inquire.


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