Cyber Incident Victim: Wireless Emporium
Date:
Dec 2013
Location:
United States of America
Summary
A malware infection on Wireless Emporium's e-commerce server compromised customer payment card details, including names, addresses, account numbers, expiration dates, and security codes. The breach impacted purchasers over a several-week period before detection, prompting the company to implement a new firewall, update website code, and notify affected individuals while taking steps to prevent recurrence.
| CIA Posture | Motives | Tactics, Techniques & Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Available to members | 1 motive | 1 technique |
| Threat Actors | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0 actors | Available to members | Available to members |
Description
Malware was discovered on the computer server hosting the Wireless Emporium website (wirelessemporium.com) on July 1, 2014, prompting an investigation into potential data compromise. The malicious software had been operational between December 24, 2013, and January 19, 2014, potentially exposing payment card information of customers who made purchases during this 27-day window. Compromised data included full names, billing addresses, payment card account numbers, card expiration dates, and security codes – sufficient information to facilitate fraudulent transactions. The company did not publicly disclose the number of affected individuals despite external inquiries, leaving the breach's scale undefined in public records. The malware specifically targeted the website's transaction environment, though technical details about its operation or delivery mechanism were not specified in breach notifications.
Wireless Emporium initiated containment measures immediately upon discovering the intrusion, though specific remediation timelines were not detailed publicly. The company implemented a new firewall and updated the website's operational code to prevent recurrence of similar incidents. Notifications to impacted individuals commenced by August 4, 2014, advising them to monitor financial statements for unauthorized charges. No evidence suggested misuse of exposed data at the time of disclosure, though the breach created inherent risks of financial fraud for affected customers. The California Attorney General's office received a sample breach notification letter as required by state law, constituting the primary public documentation of the incident.