By
Andrew Lu on February 08, 2013
| Last updated on March 21, 2019
A computer hacker claims he
broke into the email accounts of several members of the Bush family.
The unnamed hacker says that he stole "a lot of stuff" from the political family, including emails about former President George H.W. Bush's recent hospitalization, former President George W. Bush, and other notable family members, reports Politico.
The hacker also says that he was able to steal addresses and other contact information for Bush family members. Even the four-digit code needed to enter George W. Bush's security gate was allegedly obtained.
The range of things reportedly stolen runs the gamut. There were emails about what Bush 41 supposedly felt about the 2012 presidential election, and others about preliminary plans for his funeral following a recent health scare, Politico reports.
This is the second report of a high-profile case of online hacking or identity theft in as many days.
Yesterday, it was reported that Arizona
Sheriff Joe Arpaio fell victim to identity theft. The thief apparently got hold of "America's toughest cop's" credit card information and used it to purchase about $300 worth of groceries.
So if two former presidents and one tough law-enforcement official can't prevent hacking and
identity theft, you may be wondering what you can do to prevent the crime.
One can assume that the Bush clan had pretty good security for their confidential information. But sometimes a determined hacker will get in regardless. Some steps that you can take to make the hacker's task more difficult can include:
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- Use Unique Passwords. Don't use "password," and try not to use identifying information like your birthdate as your PIN.
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- Shred Personal Documents. Identity thieves aren't above dumpster-diving.
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- Install a Firewall. You should install a firewall on your computer and also regularly update it. Viruses and hackers are continually updating their methods, and you will want to stay current on your defenses as well.
- Avoid Giving Personal Information Over the Phone or Internet. Most legitimate businesses won't ask for your personal information like Social Security numbers or bank account information online. Be wary of businesses who request such information.
To learn more about how to stay safe online, check out FindLaw's
Online Safety Tips to Protect Your Personal Information.
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