Published: May 15, 2008 03:38 pm            

OSU server hacked

• University says no indication identity theft has occurred

Oklahoma State University officials say the school’s parking and transit services computer server has been breached. Spokesman Gary Shutt says the server immediately was shut down when security personnel discovered the breach.

Shutt says the university wants people who bought OSU parking and transit permits between July 2002 and this March to be aware of the incident, adding that while personal data was exposed, there is no indication that any misuse of that data or identity theft has occurred.

OSU officials say it is thought the computer intruder’s only action was to use the server for storage capacity and bandwidth to upload and distribute illegal and inappropriate content. OSU has contacted federal law enforcement officials about the incident and is notifying people who purchased parking and transit permits over the past few years to alert them of the incident.

The illegal access was limited to the parking and transit server, which housed a database that contained confidential information including names, addresses and Social Security numbers of OSU students, faculty and staff.

“This breakdown in security is totally unacceptable,” OSU President Burns Hargis said in a press release. “We are conducting a full review and will take whatever steps are necessary to protect our network from unauthorized access.”

The OSU Web page, http:// idalert.okstate.edu/resources.htm, provides additional information and links. For information about identity theft, see www.ftc.gov/ bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft or call (877) 438-4334.

Questions also may be directed to the OSU Parking Office, 744-4525, or e-mail parkingsecurity@okstate.edu, or call 744-1700.

        

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