Monday Morning News Kick Off: Sarkozy’s Facebook Account Hacked, Hacker Selling Access to Government Websites, iPad Data Breach and Much More

Welcome to the Monday Morning News Kick Off post from the ITAC blog. As always we have pulled together all the key stories you need about identity theft, data breaches, hackers and cybercrime. On this cold Monday, we have a number of entertaining, enlightening and downright flabbergasting stories to help you kick start your work week. Happy Monday!

Facebook Hacker Stands Sarkozy Down from Election
A hacker took over French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s Facebook account and posted a fake announcement that he was abandoning plans to run for re-election, his page said Monday. “Dear compatriots, given the exceptional circumstances our country is experiencing, I have decided in my spirit and conscience not to run for office again at the end of my mandate in 2012,” said the spoof message. It added a link to a separate page with an invitation to “leaving drinks” for Sarkozy — set for election day on May 6 next year at Le Fouquet’s cafe on the Champs Elysees, where he celebrated winning the presidency in 2007. Sarkozy has suffered record-low approval ratings over recent months and is hoping that a turn on the world stage as president of the G20 and G8 power groupings this year will also give him a political boost at home. Read the full AFP story here.

Hacker is Selling Access to Government Websites
Imperva has spotted a hacker who is flogging access to military, educational, and government websites for bargain basement prices. Imperva found the hacker’s offer on Friday and thinks he gained access to the websites using an SQL injection technique. Getting into the US Army and National Guard websites will set you back $499 each. US Department of Defense websites are bit cheaper and access costs $399. The prospect of getting bundled into a plane and flown somewhere to be waterboarded is priceless, we guess. The hacker is also flogging personal data at the going rate of $20 for 1,000 names, addresses, and telephone numbers. Read the full Inquirer post here.

Two charged in AT&T-iPad Data Breach
Two men were charged with computer crimes today for allegedly hacking into AT&T servers and stealing e-mail addresses and other information of about 120,000 iPad users last summer. Andrew Auernheimer, 25, was arrested in his home town of Fayetteville, Ark., while appearing in state court on unrelated drug charges, and Daniel Spitler, 26, of San Francisco, surrendered to FBI agents in Newark, N.J., according to the U.S. Attorney’s office in New Jersey. Both men were expected to appear before federal judges in Arkansas and New Jersey. Read the full CNET post here.

Bill Would Make Certain ID Theft Cases Easier To Prove
A recent controversial decision by the Colorado Supreme Court has prompted newly elected state Rep. Mark Barker, R-Colorado Springs, to file HB11-1049, titled “Use of Personal Info to Defraud.” The bill was filed Jan. 12, and its intent is to clarify the statutory language involving identity theft following the recent high court decision involving Felix Montes-Rodriguez. Montes-Rodriguez was convicted of criminal impersonation based on his use of a false social security number on an application for an automobile loan, and he admitted to using the false social security number. However, he contested the charge. He argued that he did not assume a false identity or capacity under the statute because he applied for the loan using his proper name, birth date, address, and other identifying information. Read the full State Bill Colorado post here.

Former Beauty Queen Pleads Guilty in Massive ID Theft Case
The woman involved in one of Hawaii’s largest identity theft cases pled guilty as charged today to 140 counts of identity theft, money laundering and forgery. It took nearly three years to get to a guilty plea. The former beauty queen pleads guilty to everything. “She victimized 50 plus people. She’s either going to go to trial or plead guilty to all 140 counts. It’s just that simple,” said deputy prosecutor, Chris Van Marter. Read the full KHON News 2 post here.