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Library Consortium security breach may affect some Connecticut College library patrons

July 25, 2008

NEW LONDON, Conn. - Connecticut College has learned that two computer servers containing a database of Connecticut College, Wesleyan University and Trinity College library patrons were accessed by a hacker or hackers. The database includes the names, addresses and social security or driver´s license numbers of approximately 2,800 Connecticut College library patrons. Twelve library patrons from Wesleyan University and three from Trinity College were also affected.

As soon as the security breach was discovered, all social security and driver´s license numbers were deleted from the database, and steps were taken to secure the servers. The breach was limited to these two servers, which belong to the CTW library consortium and are housed at CTW´s headquarters at Wesleyan. The CTW Consortium gives library users access to the resources of all three member colleges´ libraries.

CTW Consortium staff members have investigated the incident and determined the security breach was likely focused on getting access to servers to set up chat rooms, attack other sites and possibly send spam emails. While there is no evidence that any personal information was stolen, affected individuals are being notified by mail.

"We are taking this matter very seriously," Patricia Carey, vice president for College Relations, said. "We are encouraging those affected to take preventative measures to protect their identity, and as an added precaution, we are offering those affected one year of identity protection services from Debix Identity Protection Agency at the expense of the CTW Consortium."

Individuals whose personal information was stored in the database will receive a letter in the mail that provides information about how to enroll in the Debix identity protection services.

"While this is an extremely regrettable situation, I want to assure visitors to the library that this is an isolated incident, and the problem has been addressed. Fortunately, it did not involve the Connecticut College computer network in any way," W. Lee Hisle, Connecticut College´s vice president for Information Services and librarian of the college, said.

Hisle added that most of the information was collected several years ago when Connecticut College, like many other institutions, used social security numbers to identify individuals. That policy was changed in 2005.

Individuals with questions may contact Ruth Seeley, manager of computer support services, between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays eastern time. Seeley can be reached at ruth.seeley@conncoll.edu or (860) 439-2052.

Among the most selective private liberal arts colleges in the nation, Connecticut College enrolls 1,900 men and women from 41 states, the District of Columbia and 71 countries. The college is known for putting the liberal arts into action through interdisciplinary studies, international programs, funded internships, student-faculty research and service learning. Founded in 1911, the college operates under an 86-year-old honor code. The college is located at 270 Mohegan Ave, New London, about two hours by car from Boston and New York. The 750-acre campus is an arboretum overlooking Long Island Sound. For more information, visit www.connecticutcollege.edu.

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For more information contact: Amy Martin (860) 439-2526; a.martin@conncoll.edu