Privacy Law
Web Host Shuts Down 100s of Sites Due to Hacker Attack
Posted Dec 6, 2007, 10:33 am CST
By Martha Neil
Fasthosts has been forced temporarily to shut down hundreds of websites, after computer hackers penetrated the “master database” and apparently stole some private customer information including passwords, addresses and bank details.
To prevent repeat information thefts, the web host is now sending out new passwords for its sites by regular mail rather than e-mail, reports the London Times. Police are investigating, and it isn't clear that information has been stolen concerning more than a small number of websites. However, the shutdown is reportedly a huge problem for many small businesses, especially since it is occurring during the holiday season.
“This could well be the biggest internet attack of its kind," says David Roberts, chief executive of the Corporate IT Forum. The criminals could theoretically have taken everything on the database.”