Consumer should be on alert after Epsilon database hack

Last week hackers broke in to the database of Epsilon, a web marketing firm. The Epsilon database hack exposed the names and email addresses of millions of customers at credit card businesses and major retailers. Several major credit card holders are receiving warnings from banks about the breach, which is likely to spawn a spate of spam in the form of phishing emails. Article source – Epsilon database hack exposes millions to phishing attacks by MoneyBlogNewz.

In the Epsilon database: Better watch out

The theft of millions of names and emails in the Epsilon database hack could possibly be the biggest data security breach in United States history. Friday, Epsilon announced that consumer files were hacked meaning emails and other information at websites may have been stolen as Epsilon sends over 40 billion marketing emails for 2,500 companies annually.

This hurt at least a dozen corporations. Banks were affected by this including J.P. Morgan Chase, Citigroup, U.S. Bancorp, Barclays Bank and Capital One. Customers need to look for phishing scams in the future. Also, if you have been working with Best Buy, TiVo, Walgreens, Kroger or HSN, then you should watch out. The hacker might have also stolen student email addresses from The College Board, an organization that oversees SATs in the U.S. for about 5,900 colleges and universities.

Knowing if you're in a scam

Spam is more than likely the goal of all the email addresses and names stolen out of the Epsilon database. The "phishing scam" might be very effective this time. This is because people with actual accounts and information will be targeted. The login information is stolen giving hackers access with phishing emails attempting to trick consumers into logging into a fake account. The email could be more convincing after having hackers' name and email in order to go on Facebook and find more personal details. Many times, a phishing con will say that an account could be closed if information is not updated or ask an individual to update charge card information. Some phishing scams even claim that a response is required since the users account has been compromised.

A new record for stealing data

There were a limited number of customers which were caught in the Epsilon database hack, the business said. Still, it has yet to be released how several consumers and students need to worry over it. In addition to the Epsilon clients mentioned above, others consist of Verizon Communications, Hilton Hotels, Kraft Foods and AstraZeneca. Internet security analysts believe the Epsilon database hack may surpass the Heartland Payment Systems hack, currently recognized as the biggest identity-theft incident in United States history. After stealing over 40 million payment card numbers in the Heartland Payment Systems hack, Albert Gonzalez got 20 years in prison as a sentence.

Citations

Associated Press

finance.yahoo.com/news/Banks-creditcard-issuers-warn-apf-754015157.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=main&asset=&ccode=

MSN Money

money.msn.com/identity-theft/news.aspx?feed=OBR&date=20110403&id=13261200

Computer world

computerworld.com/s/article/print/9215443/Update_Bank_customers_warned_after_breach_at_Epsilon_marketing_firm?taxonomyName=Security&taxonomyId=17

Microsoft

microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/phishing-symptoms.aspx