Normally when a report of an online service that"s been a victim of a crime comes in, the intrusion is usually by hackers who find a way to get at data remotely via a stolen password or malware. Today, an online company announced its database had been taken, but this time it was a physical theft.
Vudu, the online video streaming and download service that"s owned by retailer Walmart, sent its customers an email today with this statement:
We want to let you know that there was a break-in at the Vudu offices on March 24, 2013, and a number of items were stolen, including hard drives. Our investigation thus far indicates that these hard drives contained customer information, including names, email addresses, postal addresses, phone numbers, account activity, dates of birth and the last four digits of some credit card numbers.
Vudu"s email added that the data on the stolen hard drive did not contain any full credit card numbers and that the passwords on the drive were encrypted. Vudu users who signed up to use their password on the Vudu.com website have had that password reset automatically. Vudu is also offering a year"s worth of free identity theft protection.
Vudu was acquired by Walmart in 2010. In addition to its website, Vudu content can also be streamed by a number of TV set top boxes along with Sony"s PlayStation 3 and Microsoft"s Xbox 360 consoles.
Source: Email
Hard drive image via Shutterstock