FBI Warns Retailers: Target Breach Just the Beginning

When Target discovered it had been breached in the largest retail hacking incident to date, the level of intrusion was unclear, even unfathomable. However, in the weeks following, the investigation into the theft of credit and debit card numbers from tens of millions Target consumers has revealed that the malware used against Target may also have affected a far larger number of other retail information systems. In addition to debit and credit card numbers and PINs, the information breached now includes names, phone numbers and postal and e-mail addresses of an additional 70 million consumer credit card holders. Target did not confirm that the breached data was encrypted. Luxury retailer, Neiman Marcus, reports a similar breach involving 1.1 million consumer credit cards that have been exposed to the hackers. Recently, arts and crafts retailer Michaels has also warned its customers of a possible data breach, in light of “criminal efforts to penetrate the data systems of U.S. retailers.” Although the breach is unconfirmed by the company, the Secret Service is investigating the nationwide incidents at Michaels’ stores that appear similar to both the Neiman Marcus and Target breaches.