A massive database of terrorists and "heightened-risk individuals and entities" containing more than 2.2 Million records has reportedly leaked online.
Researcher Chris Vickery claimed on Reddit that he had managed to obtain a copy of 2014 version of the World-Check confidential database, which is being used by banks, governments, and intelligence agencies worldwide to scope out risks including suspected terrorists.
The mid-2014 version of the database contains some 2.2 million records and is used by 49 of the world's 50 largest banks, along with 300 government and intelligence agencies. Access to its contents is granted via a strict vetting process and the signing of NDAs.
Banks have used this data in whole or in part to shutter accounts, effectively locking people out of vast swathes of the global banking system.
The leaked database contains more than 2.2 Million records of people with suspected terrorist, organized crime, money laundering, bribery, corruption links, and "other unsavory activities."
According to Thomson Reuters, who run World-Check, its service is used by 4,500 institutions, including 49 of the world's 50 largest banks, more than 300 government and intelligence agencies, and law firms.
Although the access to the World-Check database is supposed to be strongly restricted under European privacy laws, Reuters says an unnamed third-party has exposed an outdated version of the database online.
Vickery does not reveal exactly how he came across the data, but he says:
Meanwhile, he told BBC that the database was not using any protection like username or password to see the records. However, he clarifies that "this unprotected database was not directly hosted by Thomson Reuters itself."
Vickery also told media outlets that even after disclosing its location to Thomson Reuters, the database is still available online.
Along with the number of categories, the World-Check database also contains individuals' dates and places of birth in an effort to help banks and government entities check they are looking into the right people.
Vickery also gained access to the World-Check database in February. It found terrorist profiles including the Council on American-Islamic Relations executive director Nihad Awad, joined former US President George W. Bush in a post 9/11 press conference, and the organisation itself.
Former World Bank and Bank of England advisor Mohamed Iqbal Asaria awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire award in 2005 was also listed as a terrorist.
Vickery has reported recent large-scale breaches including information on 93 million Mexican voters in April. The records were exposed thanks to a configuration error in a MongoDB database.
He also earlier revealed the exposure of 13 million records of MacKeeper, Zeobit, and Kromtech, and some 1700 records of children from website uKnowKids. ®
Source : TheRegister, Reddit,
Researcher Chris Vickery claimed on Reddit that he had managed to obtain a copy of 2014 version of the World-Check confidential database, which is being used by banks, governments, and intelligence agencies worldwide to scope out risks including suspected terrorists.
The mid-2014 version of the database contains some 2.2 million records and is used by 49 of the world's 50 largest banks, along with 300 government and intelligence agencies. Access to its contents is granted via a strict vetting process and the signing of NDAs.
Banks have used this data in whole or in part to shutter accounts, effectively locking people out of vast swathes of the global banking system.
The leaked database contains more than 2.2 Million records of people with suspected terrorist, organized crime, money laundering, bribery, corruption links, and "other unsavory activities."
According to Thomson Reuters, who run World-Check, its service is used by 4,500 institutions, including 49 of the world's 50 largest banks, more than 300 government and intelligence agencies, and law firms.
Although the access to the World-Check database is supposed to be strongly restricted under European privacy laws, Reuters says an unnamed third-party has exposed an outdated version of the database online.
Vickery does not reveal exactly how he came across the data, but he says:
"No hacking was involved in my acquisition of this data. I would call it more of a leak than anything, although not directly from Thomson Reuters. The exact details behind that can be shared at a later time."
Meanwhile, he told BBC that the database was not using any protection like username or password to see the records. However, he clarifies that "this unprotected database was not directly hosted by Thomson Reuters itself."
Vickery also told media outlets that even after disclosing its location to Thomson Reuters, the database is still available online.
"As far as I know, the original location of the leak is still exposed to the public internet," said Vickery. "Thomson Reuters is working feverishly to get it secured."
Along with the number of categories, the World-Check database also contains individuals' dates and places of birth in an effort to help banks and government entities check they are looking into the right people.
Vickery also gained access to the World-Check database in February. It found terrorist profiles including the Council on American-Islamic Relations executive director Nihad Awad, joined former US President George W. Bush in a post 9/11 press conference, and the organisation itself.
Former World Bank and Bank of England advisor Mohamed Iqbal Asaria awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire award in 2005 was also listed as a terrorist.
Vickery has reported recent large-scale breaches including information on 93 million Mexican voters in April. The records were exposed thanks to a configuration error in a MongoDB database.
He also earlier revealed the exposure of 13 million records of MacKeeper, Zeobit, and Kromtech, and some 1700 records of children from website uKnowKids. ®
Source : TheRegister, Reddit,
