DHS Acknowledges Own Computer Break-Ins (AP)

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

DHS Acknowledges Own Computer Break-Ins

By TED BRIDIS
The Associated Press
Wednesday, June 20, 2007; 3:13 AM

WASHINGTON -- The Homeland Security Department, the lead
U.S. agency for fighting cyber threats, suffered more than 800
hacker break-ins, virus outbreaks and other computer security
problems over two years, senior officials acknowledged to
Congress.

In one instance, hacker tools for stealing passwords and other
files were found on two internal Homeland Security computer
systems. The agency's headquarters sought forensic help from
the department's own Security Operations Center and the U.S.
Computer Emergency Readiness Team it operates with Carnegie
Mellon University.

In other cases, computer workstations in the Coast Guard and
the Transportation Security Administration were infected with
malicious software detected trying to communicate with
outsiders; laptops were discovered missing; and agency Web
sites suffered break-ins.

The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep.
Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said such problems undermine the
government's efforts to encourage companies and private
organizations to improve cyber security.

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Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/20/AR2007062000181.html