contributed by macki
Kevin Mitnick will be in Washington DC today to testify before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee as they ponder the security of the federal government's information systems. It's ironic that the same government that kept him locked away for so long is now interested in hearing his opinions. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday at 10 am, Room D-342 in the Dirksen Senate Office Building. (It will be interesting to see what Kevin has to say after four years in jail.)

2600 - Written Testimony
Senate Press Release
Security Focus

contributed by Odin
Late last month voters in the general primary of Michigan defeated a ballot initiative to prevent Internet filtering in libraries. Now in Utah, the State Senate has voted 28-0 to withhold funding from state libraries that do not implement internet filters. So, despite numerous others states voting against this measure, it is still being imposed on the citizens of Utah. (Are the State Senators of Utah accurately representing their constituents?)

USA Today

contributed by Odin
Forget credit card companies, or web advertisers; the real privacy invaders may actually be restaurants. Restaurants that keep track of what you eat, how much of it, what you like, how much you tip, how much wine you drink, who you come in with, etc. With cameras mounted over your table gathering personal data has become extremely easy.(Seems like everyone wants a database these days, now who is going to be the first to put them all together?)

NY Times

contributed by Online_Temped
Expedia, the online travel affiliate of Microsoft, said on Wednesday that it will record a fiscal third quarter charge of $4 to $6 million. The charge is to cover the cost of fraudulent transactions on its Web site. (And who will pay for this fraud? The consumer of course in the form of higher prices.)

ZD Net UK

contributed by Evil Wench
Almost two months after having most of its customers credit card information posted to the internet and with the perpetrator Maxim still at large CD Universe is attempting to rebuild its business. Now claiming one of the most secure sites on the net CD Universe is hoping that their customers and investors return.

Nando Times

contributed by ikegami
According to Japan's Asahi News, PlayStation Dot Com Japan (owned by Sony Computer Entertainment) mishandled their customer database. PlayStation Dot Com Japan took online orders for the new PlayStation2. According to the report, users only needed to enter a customer number in the tracking system home page in order to review or change their order. By entering a different number, anyone could browse other's personal information. PlayStation Dot Com Japan is currently checking to see if any information was actually compromised. The system was designed by IBM Japan.

Asahi News - Japanese

contributed by marka
The Federation of American Scientists has released a copy of the CIA's report "Central Intelligence Agency Inspector General, Report of Investigation - Improper Handling of Classified Information By John M. Deutch". The report has a "For Official Use Only" handling caveat on it, but the great folks at FAS (who know the Freedom of Information Act way better than a lot of organizations) was able to score a copy and is graciously posting it for all the world to see.

Federation of American Scientists
Report of Investigation

contributed by Apocalyse Dow
With limited resources and weak laws Brazilian authorities have had a hard time tracking down and arresting cyber criminals. With intrusions into Brazilian Government web sites almost routine lawmakers are looking to pass stricter laws. (Hmmm, same song, different country.)

CNN