Over Half Million Debit and Credit Card Files Exposed

It is a data breach of significant magnitude - over a half million files were breached. And the breach extended from March 12 to June 8. Hackers had access for almost three months:

“Web services provider Network Solutions disclosed Friday that hackers broke into its servers and stole information on more than 573,000 debit and credit card accounts from its customers over the past three months.“

link: Network Solutions Says Hackers Accessed 573,000 Card Accounts

Those data may have changed hands many times by now. Even if a portion of the breached files were marketed for a low sum for each account, the theft may have generated millions for the hackers. Subsequently, there is practically no upper limit to the damage that may have been done to accounts.

Network Solutions is offering credit monitoring for those accounts that may have been breached. This has the appearance of some responsibility. However, there is the onerous, time consuming task of attempting to contact all the people who have had their personal financial information breached. Meanwhile, supposedly secure financial information is in the hands of criminals - and the end-point victim, the consumer, may have no idea that theft is being perpetrated in his or her name. And yes, that compromised data could be yours.

Catherine Forsythe

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