Government of US Runs Afoul of Computer Security

Washingtonpost.com reported on 18th June, 2015 stating that government of US might have run afoul of computer security once more in response to massive hacking of federal personnel data by China.

During past few days, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has sent notices via e-mail to a large number of federal workers to inform them about the unwanted breach and suggest them to click on a link to a private contractor's Website to register for monitoring credit and other protections.

Employees along with former and retired employees were alerted for risking their personal data with the receipt of those emails that worry that emails might be a type of "spear phishing" used by rivals to pierce sensitive computer systems of the government.

Washingtonpost.com published news on 18th June, 2015 quoting Sam Schumach, Spokesman of OPM, as saying "We have taken the feedback from most of the 4.2 million present and veteran employees who are being informed that employee' files consisting their Social Security numbers, addresses and other private information might have been embezzled and we have seen disbelief and fear about phishing."

Computers experts said that the personnel agency is already under criticism from lawmakers from both parties for being unsuccessful to protect databases from cybercriminals and could put federal systems in threat again by asking workers to click on URLs in the emails.

Businessinsider.in published news on 18th June, 2015 quoting Lorenzo hall, Chief Technologist at the Center for Democracy & Technology, as saying that the hackers could be wiser by sending their own set of forged identity protection email notifications and enter your systems all over again."

OPM said that the agency is executing a new protocol to make the email notice appears more genuine. The emails will now consist of a non-hyperlinked link to copy and paste on a new browser and also the ability to sign up for credit monitoring services through email.

The OPM is still being condemned for its apparent incompetence. Businessinsider.in published a report on 18th June, 2015 quoting Christopher Soghoian of ACLU as saying "Even when tried to uncontaminate it, they are unable to do so."

» SPAMfighter News - 6/25/2015