Hackers attack Eircom StudyHub – 11,000 usernames and passwords at risk

17 Feb 2012

Hackers have breached a server that potentially risks some 10,829 account details, including 8,404 Eircom StudyHub customers. Eircom has emailed 20,000 registered StudyHub users and informed the Gardai and Data Protection Commissener.

The breach, which follows just a week after it emerged that three laptops were stolen that contained financial information of 7,000 Eircom customers and employees, is understood to have happened after a service provider to Eircom informed the telco its servers had been hacked.

Clear Voice Systems Ltd, which trades as Exam Support and providers the Eircom StudyHub service, informed Eircom yesterday that its server had been hacked.
The hackers were able to access user names and passwords belonging to registered users.

StudyHub is offered to broadband customers of Eircom and provides video tutorials and materials for Leaving and Junior Cert students.

“Examsupport.ie responded immediately to stop the attack and has since strengthened its security to protect against any future breaches,” Eircom explained.

“The hack created a risk to 10,829 accounts details including 8,404 eircom StudyHub customers. Eircom informed the Data Protection Commissioner and the Gardai today. No other customer information is at risk.

‘This afternoon, Eircom has emailed all 20,000 registered StudyHub users, informing and advising impacted customers of the risk, encouraging them change their passwords to prevent unauthorised access to their StudyHub account.

“Eircom apologises to its customers for the inconvenience caused.”

Eircom said that customers with questions or queries who would like to be contacted should email Eircom at studyhub@eircom.net

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com