Veterans still seeking credit monitoring (AP)

[Eugene]

Posted on Fri, Jun. 30, 2006

Veterans still seeking credit monitoring
HOPE YEN
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Veterans groups say they will keep pressing for improved data security -
and free credit monitoring - after the government found the stolen Veterans Affairs
laptop computer containing sensitive data on 26.5 million people.

The government announced Thursday that a person officials would not identify had turned
in the laptop and external drive, which were stolen from a VA data analyst on May 3.
The FBI said an initial review determined that the contents had not been accessed or
copied.

"We are pleased and relieved," said John Rowan, president of Vietnam Veterans of America,
which has filed a lawsuit against the government for privacy violations. "The VA's
handling of this unfortunate theft exposes the very real need for major reform in how
records with personal information are handled and secured."

Joe Davis, spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said veterans were entitled
to credit monitoring until the FBI can determine for certain the information wasn't
compromised.

<snip>

Full article: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/14937348.htm

[magellan]

1. Is it really possible to tell if files had been copied? (nt)

[liberal N proud]

2. NO!

The only thing they might be able to do is look at any log files on the PC and see what took place.

The fact is these people are still at risk and the VA is negligent.

[magellan]

3. I didn't think so

I run an Access database. If I so much as open and close the database, the timestamp changes. But if all I do is look at the database file through Windows Explorer or a similar directory listing program, the timestamp is unchanged. Obviously performing a copy function from such an interface doesn't change the timestamp either.

I'd guess that's the "initial review" the FBI did to determine "the contents had not been accessed or copied."

Which is comforting to those who don't know about computers, but meaningless in reality.

[Monkeyman]

4. IN. breach last report South Bend has been breached

The Dems have put out a bill to protect vets but J.Dennis Hastert won't let it come to the floor.He said no bill this year will be voted on unless its Republican. Chairman Buyer (R) OF THE VETERANS COMMITTEE said no breach has happen so we do not need this bill ya right VA records from your own state have been breached