Fergie's Tech Blog

AOL: Hacker 'Unlikely to Have Stolen Customer Data'

Juan Carlos Perez writes on InfoWorld:

AOL is investigating the recent hacking of its systems by a New York teen to determine if he managed to obtain customer data. However, the Time Warner subsidiary thinks it's unlikely that customer data was compromised.

"This long-term hacker has repeatedly sought to access AOL systems," a spokeswoman said on Friday. "Our investigation continues, but we believe that at no point was [he] able to access customer billing data."

For now, AOL isn't notifying any individual customers about the situation. "While [he] did seek to access accounts, we don't believe there was any data compromised that would require customer outreach," the spokeswoman wrote.

This is the first time AOL has issued an official comment about the arrest of 17-year old Mike Nieves, who faces four felony charges and a misdemeanor charge for allegedly breaking into AOL networks and databases at different points between late December and early April. On Thursday, a spokesman for the Manhattan District Attorney's office said it's too early to tell whether any data was compromised during the system intrusions.

More here.

Note: This is why we need a Mandatory Breach Disclosure law -- AOL should be forced to notify customers whose records or accounts may have been accessed by this kid. - ferg

posted by Fergie @ 4/27/2007 05:28:00 PM