|
|
Article: Hack cracked: Board of Elections Web site leaves Social Security numbers vulnerable
- Article from:
- Chicago Sun-Times
- Article date:
- October 24, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2006 Chicago Sun-Times. (Hide copyright information)
|
For at least the last six years, a loophole in the Chicago Board
of Elections Web site has exposed the Social Security numbers and
birth dates of more than 1 million registered voters to anyone with a
computer, a Web connection and rudimentary programming knowledge.
Until Saturday, this data -- all that is necessary for an identity
thief to apply for a credit card, mortgage or even acquire an arrest
record in someone else's name -- has been available through a Web
site intended to tell voters their registration status.
The glitch was pointed out to the Sun-Times by Peter Zelchenko, a
43rd Ward aldermanic candidate and computer expert, who also informed
the board of the problem Friday.