Computer hackers have infiltrated an Internet database with connections to a widely used academic reference source.
The LexisNexis database was hacked into earlier this week, and hackers gained access to the personal files of as many as 32,000 people.
The security breach occurred in LexisNexis’ Seisint database, which LexisNexis acquired in August 2004. The Seisint database includes millions of personal files used by customers such as police and legal professionals.
Jennifer Cargill, dean of Middleton Library, said the area hacked into was a small LexisNexis subsidiary and not the database provided by LSU Libraries.
Cargill said the database used on campus is protected with passwords, and she said she thinks access to personal information such as Social Security numbers would not be possible.
According to a statement from Reed Elsevier, the corporate parent of LexisNexis, hackers accessed names, addresses, Social Security numbers and driver license numbers. The hackers apparently did not access credit history, medical records or financial information.
In a statement, Elsevier said it regrets the incident.
“LexisNexis very much regrets this and will be notifying all the individuals concerned and providing them with ongoing credit monitoring and practical support to ensure that any identity theft is quickly detected and addressed,” the statement said.
The statement also said LexisNexis is taking action to prevent similar incidents from happening again. That action includes enhancing identity and password procedures and working with law enforcement officials to thwart further criminal activity.
Sean McCabe, a spokesman for Reed Elsevier, would not answer questions and referred The Daily Reveille to a Web site set up to address customer questions and concerns.
According to the site, privacyfacts.lexisnexis.com, 192 Louisiana customers had information stolen.
The site said, “LexisNexis is partnering with a credit management and identity theft protection-solutions service to help these individuals monitor their credit reports for one year. Also, LexisNexis will provide a comprehensive identification theft package, which includes counseling and case work for those consumers whose identity has been compromised as a result of this incident.”