Around 26,000 USDA employees have been warned about potential identity theft
It has been reported that a hacker has broken into the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) computer system approximately three weeks ago and may have obtained names, Social Security numbers and photos of around 26,000 current and former employees in the Washington area. The USDA initially believed the data was secure after the breach, but officials are no longer sure. The USDA's cyber security staff reportedly saw suspicious activity on the server during the weekend of June 3, in which someone was trying to gain access to the computer system. Technology staff informed Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns of the breach on June 6 but he was told that the data may still have been secure.
The department will offer free credit checks to all affected employees for a year. Also, the proper law enforcement agencies have been notified of the break-in.
Security breaches have been occurring at an alarming rate lately. ING recently had a second laptop with sensitive employee data stolen from an ING Financial Service agent's home. A hacker earlier this month also compromised sensitive data of 1,500 nuclear weapons employees at the Energy Department in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In the most serious case this year, up to 26.5 million veterans may be at risk after thieves stole a laptop with the information in May.
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