Company news: Monster.com data loss shows online dangers, experts say
BOSTON — A recently disclosed fraud involving hundreds of thousands of people on the Monster.com jobs Web site reveals the perils of leaving detailed personal information online, security analysts say.
Before the scheme was uncovered last week by researchers at Symantec Corp., con artists had filched legitimate user names and passwords from recruiters who search for job candidates on Monster. Then with access into the Monster system, the hackers grabbed resumes and used information on those documents to craft personalized “phishing” e-mails to job seekers.
“What phishers are trying to do these days is make them as realistic as possible, by adding specific information,” said Patrick Martin, a Symantec product manager. “If they know you’ve submitted a resume to Monster, that makes it (seem) a little more legitimate.”
If the recipients took the bait, they had spyware or other malicious programs secretly installed on their computers. But even if the phishing attempt wasn’t successful, the names, addresses and other details on the resumes can themselves be lucrative.
A server in the Ukraine used in the scheme held 1.6 million entries. Because of duplications, Symantec said those files actually held personal information for “several hundred thousand” job seekers. Another antivirus firm, Authentium Inc., said it parsed the same data and counted 1.2 million people.
“Adidas AG’s top executive said Wednesday he remains committed to investing more in the company’s lagging Reebok subsidiary and expanding North American sales despite a slumping U.S. retail market.
Chief Executive and Chairman Herbert Hainer said the Germany-based sporting goods maker expected $4 billion in companywide sales this year in North America, where slow sales of Reebok shoes and apparel have recently hurt Adidas’ results. Adidas completed its $3.8 billion acquisition of Reebok in January 2006 to try to chip away at Nike Inc.’s U.S. market leadership.
“We all know the market is not easy these days — first of all, average selling prices are down, and mall-based retailers are struggling,” Hainer said at the Canton headquarters of the Reebok brand, addressing industry analysts in a closed meeting that was webcast. “However, even in difficult times, there is no reason why our brand shouldn’t be able to outperform the market.
“I know we can do better in this market. And we have to, if we want to be a global leader in the sporting goods market.”