Investigation into TalkTalk security breach leads to arrest of 15-year-old in Northern Ireland

Shawn Knight

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TalkTalk Telecom, one of the UK’s largest wireless and broadband providers, suffered its third security breach last week. Early reports, corroborated by a group known as the TalkTalk Hackers, suggested the attack may have been the work of Islamic militants.

London’s Metropolitan Police seemingly put that theory out to pasture on Monday, arresting a 15-year-old teenager in Northern Ireland on suspicion of violating the UK’s Computer Misuse Act. As The Wall Street Journal explains, those suspected of committing a crime in the UK aren’t named until formal charges are filed.

Given the boy’s age, it’s unlikely that he will be named as laws are in place to protect minors.

Over the weekend, TalkTalk confirmed that it does not store credit card details on its website. Any card details that may have been accessed consisted of only partial numbers and thus, wouldn’t be of much use. The company also said user passwords weren’t compromised and that the amount of financial information that may have been accessed is expected to be lower than initially believed.

TalkTalk said on Monday that they know it has been a worrying time for customers and expressed gratitude for the swift response and hard work of the police.

Angry customers aren’t the only thing TalkTalk will have to contend with. Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee said it plans to look into the company’s data protection which will likely involve summoning some of its executives to provide details on the matter.

Image courtesy Zuma Press

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Yes, of course! Blame rampant Islamic militarism because you are simply paranoid until the real culprit is found - a 15-year old with too much time on their hands and, likely, acting independently.
 
Yes, of course! Blame rampant Islamic militarism because you are simply paranoid until the real culprit is found - a 15-year old with too much time on their hands and, likely, acting independently.
I know some 15 year olds can be computer geniuses but what are the chances that TalkTalk's security was a bit lax and made this easier for the kid? These companies really need to spend more of their billions on securing the data they take from their customers.
 
Yes, of course! Blame rampant Islamic militarism because you are simply paranoid until the real culprit is found - a 15-year old with too much time on their hands and, likely, acting independently.
I know some 15 year olds can be computer geniuses but what are the chances that TalkTalk's security was a bit lax and made this easier for the kid? These companies really need to spend more of their billions on securing the data they take from their customers.
Say what? Why should they waste the money on better security when they can fill their coffers instead, It's a natural thing to do, but... they will firmly, unwaveringly and unequivocally state they do take customer security very, very seriously (just not as seriously as they take their personal bank balances). They just don't think, or hope like hell they'll be attacked.
 
They announce it like it was a surprise? Hell, these days any kid over 9 years old has to be a suspect ... sure wish I was as computer savy as just half of them! LOL
 
A big company taken down by a 15 year old..... *sigh*

Isn't it time for (especially) big businesses to have high standards in place when it comes to security? Isn't it obvious by now how important security is?
 
A big company taken down by a 15 year old..... *sigh*

Isn't it time for (especially) big businesses to have high standards in place when it comes to security? Isn't it obvious by now how important security is?
Costs too much. :)
 
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