Computer Worms Attack University Of Colorado Servers

Colorado University at Boulder, declares that lately a worm has hacked onto a server compromising nearly 44,998 pupil identities and SSNs (Social Security Numbers), according to reports published by 9news on May 22, 2007.

Functionaries at the Academic Advising Center of College of Arts & Sciences say that the virus could penetrate the computer due to a flaw in its anti-virus program. IT security experts at CU-Boulder reckon that the cyber-terrorist who started the worm wasn't looking for confidential information, instead endeavored to penetrate other machines both inside and outside the University of Colorado.

The attack was detected on May 12 (2007). IT security experts proclaimed that the worm had penetrated the server through a glitch in its Symantec anti-virus program, that wasn't properly fixed by the IT personnel at the Arts and Sciences Advising Center.

"The configuration of security settings of all the computers wasn't done correctly and its personal information hadn't been suitably secured. Due to human and technological slipups' compounding, these confidential information were compromised, though there's no proof of their theft," averred Bobby Schnabel, CU-Boulder's vice provost for technology, reports the May 22, 2007 issue of Thedenverchannel.

The campus safety measures were ready prior to the May 12 occurrence, alleged Dan Jones, director of university IT security office, as indicated by reports in May 23, 2007 edition of Coloradodaily.

"We're preventing hackers from invading our computers and also insuring that classified matter isn't sent on public computer," said Schnabel, according to reports released by Coloradodaily on May 23, 2007.

Jones maintained machine and server security is a long-term agenda and the university is constantly appraising the modifications that requires to be carried out.

Dean Todd Gleeson, of College of Arts and Sciences, told he would appeal that all the infotech activities of the Arts and Sciences Advising Center to be delegated under the immediate central management of the CU- Boulder's IT Services department, as stated by May 22, 2007 reports by Cbs4denver.

In the meantime, the university is informing all pupils registered at CU-Boulder from 2002 to date (2007) that their confidential data might have been exposed.

Related article: Computer Virus Writers Adopt New Strategy

» SPAMfighter News - 5/31/2007