Hacking Suspects Indicted
By George Anderson
Three Michigan men have been indicted for allegedly trying to hack into Lowe’s computer system for the purpose of stealing customer credit card information, reports the Associated
Press.
Each of the alleged conspirators faces 16 federal felony charges including conspiracy, wire fraud, computer fraud, unauthorized computer access, intentional transmission of computer
code and attempted possession of unauthorized access devices.
If convicted on all charges, the men, all of whom are 20, could each face up to 170 years in jail.
The men allegedly broke into the wireless network of a Southfield, Mich. Lowe’s on 10 separate occasions between October 21 and November 5. From there, say prosecutors, the conspirators
were able to reach Lowe’s central system in North Carolina to gain access to stores across the US.
Lowe’s maintains that the three men were never able to gain access to customers’ credit card information.
Moderator’s Comment: What is the state of information security in the retail world?
Retailers, for the most part, do a good job of protecting their customers from identity and credit card theft activities. It should never be forgotten,
however, that where there’s a crook with a will, there’s a way. [George
Anderson – Moderator]