A curious reader of Bitterwallet.com, known as ‘Dan’ stumbled across a 3 Mobile database containing almost 80,000 names and addresses of UK citizens.
Although exact details of how Dan came across this information cannot be revealed, it was apparently very simple.
Here’s a taster image below of the list of names and addresses. Bitterwallet have checked it out and confirm the list is real.
Thankfully, it was only names and addresses and nothing more. And if you’re reading this thinking that names and addresses are an identity thief’s paradise, then what are we still doing with phone directories? Have you looked at a the BT Phone Book recently? You’ll find the exact same thing there (unless of course you’re ex directory).
The main issue here is security. And it is worrying that with just a few clicks of a mouse and a little curiosity, your basic snooper can access information on this scale. 3 is a pretty large company, so what happened here? No passwords, encryptions, anything?
Bitterwallet contacted 3, informing them of just how simple it was to access this information. Hopefully they’ll be working towards improving their security.
Have an opinion? Let us know.
Image Source: Bitterwallet.com
2 thoughts on “A pinch of curiosity, a few clicks of a mouse and hoorah! Access to 3 Mobile’s database and 80,000 personal details!”
You’re right that a lot of the information in this instance is easily accessible in the phone directory, but what if more sensitive information was stumbled upon? Major companies like 3 have a huge amount of people’s personal banking data which needs to be protected a lot more efficiently.
I dread to think how much information 3 have on me. Debit card details, two addresses, a few passwords…
Hope they encripted the important stuff a lot better!
Explains how O2 keep finding my number to ring and try get me to change provider though…