Identity Theft News

TJX hacker pleads guilty in major ID theft case

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

The hacker involved in a massive data breach at TJX Companies has pleaded guilty to identity theft and fraud for the theft of more than 40 million credit and debit card numbers from TJX and other retailers.

Albert Gonzalez, 28, of Miami, pleaded guilty in Massachusetts to 19 charges related to the hacking of computer systems at TJX and retailers including Barnes & Noble. He also pleaded guilty to a charge brought in the Eastern District of New York for hacking into the systems of the Dave & Buster’s restaurant chain.

Gonzalez is still on the hook for charges brought against him in New Jersey, for his alleged involvement in another major identity theft case. Prosecutors said he was involved in the hacking of Heartland Payment Systems and several retailers including Hannaford and 7 Eleven.

According to the indictments, Gonzalez and his co-conspirators broke into retail credit card payment systems through a series of sophisticated techniques, including "wardriving" - driving around with a laptop to locate wireless networks of target companies - and installation of sniffer programs to capture credit and debit card numbers used at these retail stores.

Gonzalez faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 25 years in prison for the Massachusetts and New York convictions. He will be sentenced in December.ADNFCR-1765-ID-19361602-ADNFCR

Related News:

Threat of identity theft shows need for online security - 11.19.2009
As Americans live increasingly large portions of their lives on the internet, the possibilities and incentives for remote identity theft increase as well. A report in the New York Times advises caution, and gives tips for constructing an "online bulwark" to prevent theft and fraud.

Wi-Fi network security vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks on smart phones - 11.16.2009
Researchers last week revealed a weakness in mobile network security that could allow for so-called "man-in-the-middle" techniques to steal personal information from users of certain types of mobile phones.

FDIC warns banks of money transfer 'mules' duped by cybercriminals - 11.2.2009
In a new warning to banks about illicit electronic fund transfers, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) said last week that online bank account theft is rising using "money mules," unwitting job-seekers who are duped by cyber crooks into wiring funds from hacked bank accounts.

Obama addresses cybersecurity awareness in YouTube video - 10.21.2009
Online cyber attacks and identity theft have never been higher, a threat environment that challenges U.S. security every day. President Obama has designated October as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which he addressed in a web video last week.

Facebook application security hole exposes millions to hacking, researcher says - 10.19.2009
A security researcher is warning Facebook users about potential vulnerabilities in Facebook applications that could allow cross-site scripting (XSS) hacker attacks for hijacking user accounts.
View Related Resources
Or
Watch an Online Demo
Or
Have us call you now