[Dataloss] Law & Order - No ID Theft Reported From Stolen Computers

[security curmudgeon]

The broker quoted below sure understands technology.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: InfoSec News <alerts at infosecnews.org>

http://www.modbee.com/local/story/143953.html

December 06, 2007

Employees at a Modesto mortgage company that had computer equipment stolen 
last month say they believe information on the equipment can't be used for 
identity theft. Matt Crawford, broker at All-American Mortgage, said the 
information on a stolen computer server was password protected, so it 
would be difficult for someone to access it. He said he had no reason to 
believe a thief would have such a password. A burglar broke into 
All-American's Coffee Road office sometime during the weekend of Nov. 10 
and stole the server, a modem and a wireless router. Crawford said the 
company warned hundreds of clients whose information was on the computer 
about the break-in and theft, but has received no reports of identity 
theft. "That doesn't eliminate the possibility that it could still 
happen," said Crawford, who added that company officials still are 
determining whose information was on the server. Crawford said he believes 
the thief or thieves stole the equipment as a way to disrupt 
All-American's operations rather than for resale value or identity theft. 
He said Modesto police are investigating the break-in.

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