CBS news is reporting that the US Secret Service is investigating a serious security breach a Epsilon, a company that provides email and data services to over 2,500 client worldwide including major corporations such as Dell, TiVO, Verizon, CitiBank, Target, BestBuy, Barclays and JP Morgan Chase.
Epsilon reportedly sends out an estimated 40 billion emails a year for their clients, so this breach is sure to turn a few heads. No credit card or banking details are said to be affected. As there are no laws to enforce Australian companies to disclose these types of security breaches, many Australians may not even now that they are effected so we should all be on the look out for suspicious emails.
Remember most companies will never ask for your user name, password or banking details via email and always check the URL in the browser address bar when entering log in details from links originating for email. And as always make sure you have updated versions of antivirus software running on your computer.
A list of companies that has disclosed this breach can be found here. Dell Australia is one of the companies known to be affected, and a customer of theres I received this email last night:
An Important Message from Dell Australia
Dell’s global email service provider, Epsilon, recently informed us that their email system was exposed to unauthorised entry. As a result, your email address, and your first name and last name may have been accessed by an unauthorised party. Epsilon took immediate action to close the vulnerability and notify US law enforcement officials.
Whilst no credit card, banking or other personally identifiable information was involved, we felt it was important to let you know that your email address may have been accessed. While we hope that you will not be affected, we recommend that you be alert to suspicious emails requesting your personal information.
To help protect your personal information online we recommend that you do not provide any sensitive information through email, or open emails from senders you do not know. Dell will never ask for your financial information through email.
Dell takes its commitment to protecting customer data very seriously and has notified the Australian Privacy Commissioner and ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority). Dell continues to work closely with regulatory bodies and manage customer concerns.
We sincerely regret that this incident has taken place and we will continue to work with Epsilon to ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to protect your personal information.
Please contact us at anz_cust_serv@dell.com should you have any questions.
Sincerely
Deborah Harrigan
Dell Consumer and Small Business Executive Director
Dell Australia Pty Limited