DEC Hacker Attempt Foiled
21st January 2005
An attempted hack into the Disasters Emergency Committee’s website on New Year’s Eve was foiled by BT, the DEC said today. BT hosts the secure payment page of the charity’s site. Its 24-hour fraud detection specialists immediately spotted the attempted hack and informed the Computer Crime Unit at Scotland Yard. The Metropolitan Police has arrested and are questioning a man in connection with the incident.
Commenting on the incident, chief executive of the DEC, Brendan Gormley, said: “I’d like to reassure the public that every penny donated over the Internet has arrived safely at the DEC. No money has been stolen. Our robust safeguards mean that the attempted breach of the site was detected and reported to the Police immediately.”
Confirmation of the incident came the day after the DEC announced that it has won the Guinness Book of Records world record for the fastest and largest number of donations made to a charity in a single day via the web. The DEC Tsunami Appeal is predicted to raise £200 million, which will be spent on meeting the immediate and longer-term needs of people affected by the disaster. More than £41 million has been donated via the DEC’s website.
Brendan Gormley added: “The British public have donated in their thousands to the Tsunami Appeal over the Internet. We’re thrilled that their generosity, and our vigilance, has resulted in a record breaking appeal.”
The Internet remains one of the most trusted, safe and cost effective ways to give to charity. It is also widely used to purchase goods. Last year alone, 12 million people in the UK purchased goods over the web, spending £6.4 billion.
ENDS