DESMOINES, Iowa, Iowa State University (ISU) officials announced that two of its computers containing sensitive information had been breached.
Approximately 2,500 encrypted credit card numbers of athletics department donors were on one of the computers. According to the ISU information technology personnel who investigated the break-ins, the intruder was unable to read the credit card numbers because they were encrypted.
Time-card information and Social Security numbers of more than 3,000 ISU staff were in the second computer. According to the school’s Information Technology Services department, it is unlikely the intruder obtained the files with that information. The department believes he or she was looking for space to distribute pirated movies.
Since the discovery of the breach, ISU officials have tightened security measures and removed the intrusive software. The school has also provided employees with suggestions on how they can protect themselves, including the regular review of their credit reports.
