Cyber Criminals Hacked Servers of Network Solutions

Network Solutions, a major domain registrar as well as web hosting firm across the globe, said on July 24, 2009 that it had suffered a data hack following a malicious code injection in its servers.

The firm said the malicious software likely tapped e-commerce transactions from 4,343 Internet sites and during the process hacked 573,928 credit card details.

According to Susan Wade, Spokeswoman for Network Solutions, the malicious code allowed hackers to tap financial and other personal data of those people who had bought goods from the online stores hosted on Network's servers, as reported by The Washington Post on July 25, 2009. The hackers also stole payment information that included transactions done during March 12, 2009-June 8, 2009, Susan added.

Technicians at Network Solutions detected the malicious code when they were performing routine examinations of the firm's e-commerce infrastructure, according to news reports. In the beginning of June 2009, the firm found that unknown hackers attacked their servers meant for e-commerce services like hosting of websites and processing of payments for medium-scale Internet stores.

Disclosing more facts, the officials at the firm said that so far they received no reports and had no reason to establish misuse of any information relating to credit card accounts. They also said that as per general practice, companies issuing credit cards wouldn't hold customers of Network's retailers accountable for any fake transactions through their payment cards about which the issuers regularly received reports.

Meanwhile, Network Solutions said it has started informing affected stores through postal and electronic mail, It is also notifying customers of these stores. Moreover, laws already exist in Columbia District and 45 states, requiring notification to customers at the time a data loss or hack occurs damaging information security. However, the rules regarding adherence to these laws are different in different states.

In addition, Network Solutions is offering a year's free credit-monitoring benefit via TransUnion for all customers whose private and financial information has been compromised.

Finally, the firm has expressed regret for any inconvenience that the data breach might have caused to its retailers and their customers.

Related article: Cyber Child abuser Sentenced To Imprisonment

» SPAMfighter News - 8/10/2009