Breach Brief – Acer Computer

Published On June 20, 2016 | By Tom Huskerson | Breach Briefs

Acer-LogoComputer maker Acer announced that it has suffered a data breach of its U.S. commerce site. According to Acer anyone who has purchased a computer through the site in the past year may be at risk.

Customers that accessed the site between May 12, 2015 and April 28, 2016 may have had personal information compromised. This data includes mailing addresses, credit card numbers, expiration dates, and even the card’s CVV security codes. CVV codes are the digits on the back of cards next to the signature box.  On American Express Cards the CVV code is on the front. Acer has not said how many people are impacted by the breach.

cvvnumberoncreditcards

CVV Numbers on major credit cards

A letter from Acer’s vice president of customer service Mark Groveunder said, “We do not collect Social Security numbers, and we have not identified evidence indicating that password or login credentials were affected.”  The PC and laptop maker has not said how the hack was carried out.

Grovenunder went on to say in the letter that Acer has employed an outside cyber security firm to investigate the breach and is cooperating with federal law enforcement and has also notified the affected payment card providers.

“If you suspect that you are a victim of identity theft or fraud, you have the right to file a police report. In addition, you may contact your State Attorney General’s office or the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to learn about steps you can take to protect yourself against identity theft,” said Groveunder in the letter.

Acer urges its customers to review their credit card account statements for any suspicious activity.

“We value the trust you place in us. We regret this incident occurred, and we will be working hard to enhance our security,” said Groveunder.

 

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About The Author

Tom Huskerson Bio Born in Richmond Virginia Tom Huskerson is a military veteran who settled in California after his discharge. Tom attended Santa Barbara City College where he began his writing career as a campus reporter. He worked as an intern news reporter for the Santa Barbara News-Press writing feature stories before moving on to San Francisco. At San Francisco State University Tom studied broadcast communications and began to focus on the Internet. He completed his graduate thesis on Internet advertising. Tom was the first student to ever focus on the Internet as a graduate student at San Francisco State University. After graduation he went to work for Zona Research in California’s Silicone Valley. As a research associate Tom supported senior analyst writing on the latest developments in the Internet industry. During the dot com boom Tom worked for several web businesses as a market researcher and analyst. As a writer and researcher Tom has authored various technical works including a training program for Charles Schwab security. Other projects included professional presentations on workplace violence and hiring security contractors. Tom has also written both fiction and non-fiction works and blogging for a travel website. He has published two books of short stories and completed two novels. Tom is the owner of Scribe of Life Literature and EbonyCandle.com. Tom is not the chief editor for the OnTechStreet. com. A news and information blog that focuses on tech news for African-Americans. The blog is the result of his desire to inform the African American community of the dangers and benefits of the cyber age. In his blog Tom reports on information security, new and analysis, scams and hoaxes, legal happenings and various topics that arise from the age of information. Tom believes that technology is a necessary tool for black people and they should know what is happening. Tom writes believing that techno speak is for the professional and that valuable information can be communicated using plain language. As a result he has embraced the motto, Less Tech, More Knowledge.

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