CONSUMER ALERT: Yahoo Notifies AG Kilmartin of Security Breach
Friday, January 31, 2014
GoLocalProv News Team
Yahoo Mail users may have had their passwords compromised through a third-party application.
The web company recently identified a coordinated effort to gain unauthorized access to Yahoo Mail accounts, and notified RI Attorney General Peter Kilmartin. Upon discovery, the Company took action, urging users to reset passwords on impacted accounts.
Based on Yahoo's current findings, the list of usernames and passwords that were used to execute the attack was likely collected from a third-party database compromise. Yahoo’s investigation shows that malicious computer software used the list of usernames and passwords to access Yahoo Mail accounts. The information sought in the attack seems to be names and email addresses from the affected accounts’ most recent sent emails.
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Yahoo is resetting passwords on impacted accounts and using second sign-in verification to allow users to re-secure their accounts. Impacted users will be prompted (if not, already) to change their password and may receive an email notification or an SMS text if they have added a mobile number to their account.
The company reported to Attorney General Kilmartin that it is working with federal law enforcement to find the perpetrators responsible for this attack.
“Data breaches are becoming more and more common as criminals recognize the treasure trove of personal information that is available online,” said Attorney General Kilmartin. “While companies need to do more to protect consumer information, it is also incumbent upon consumers to limit the type of information that put out on the Internet and be vigilant in using techniques to protect their identity.”
What you can do to help keep your accounts secure:
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In addition to adopting better password practices by changing your password regularly and using different variations of symbols and characters, users should never use the same password on multiple sites or services.
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Using the same password on multiple sites or services makes users particularly vulnerable to these types of attacks.
Find more information on the Yahoo breach and how to protect your account here
Related Slideshow: The Top 30 Highest Paid State Contractors in RI
Below is the list of the top 30 highest paid private contractors for the state of Rhode Island, ranked from least to greatest. Each contractor is identified along with a summary of services that were provided and the department or state agency that hired them. Because contractors will often be hired to offer multiple services or work on numerous projects in a given year, only a basic summary of their work is provided. In cases where a contractor worked for several departments, only a representative sample is listed. The ranking of top contractors excludes payments to other government entities, like cities and towns, as well as quasi-public agencies like the Economic Development Corporation.
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#30
Aetna Bridge Company
Total Amount Paid: $4,925,321.79
Agency: Department of Transportation
Services Provided: Infrastructure and engineering work
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#29
Tri-Town Community Action Agency
Total Amount Paid: $5,089,184.90
Agencies: Departments of Education, Health, and Human Services
Services Provided: Social, educational, health, prevention, and other services for low-income residents
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#28
Commonwealth Land Title and Insurance Co.
Total Amount Paid: $5,266,256.00
Agency: Department of Transportation
Services Provided: Infrastructure and engineering work
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#27
U.S. Bank National Association
Total Amount Paid: $6,005,396.73
Agency: Department of Administration
Services Provided: Debt service payments
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#26
Hess Corp.
Total Amount Paid: $6,053,314.22
Agency: Department of Administration
Services Provided: Facilities management
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#25
Commonwealth Engineers & Consultants, Inc.
Total Amount Paid: $6,424,070.99
Agency: Department of Transportation
Services Provided: Infrastructure and engineering work
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#24
Measured Progress, Inc.
Total Amount Paid: $6,430,828.68
Agency: Department of Education
Services Provided: School testing services
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#23
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
Total Amount Paid: $6,524,278.36
Agency: Department of Transportation
Services Provided: Infrastructure and engineering work
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#22
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp.
Total Amount Paid: $7,302,036.24
Agencies: Office of Health and Human Services
Services Provided: Management of social services programs
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#21
Adil Business Systems, Inc.
Total Amount Paid: $7,627,152.65
Agencies: Multiple departments including Corrections, Health, and Public Safety
Services Provided: IT services, temp staffing, health care staffing
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#20
Deloitte Consulting, LLP
Total Amount Paid: $9,792,452.99
Agencies: Department of Administration, Office of Health and Human Services, and Department of Business Regulation
Services Provided: Building of a new information technology platform for state health agencies, related to the health benefits exchange
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#19
Manafort Brothers, Inc.
Total Amount Paid: $9,883,340.22
Agency: Department of Transportation
Services Provided: Infrastructure and engineering work
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#18
Northern Construction Service, LLC
Total Amount Paid: $10,203,522.21
Agency: Department of Transportation
Services Provided: Infrastructure and engineering work
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#17
J. H. Lynch & Sons, Inc.
Total Amount Paid: $10,223,421.90
Agencies: Departments of Administration and Transportation
Services Provided: Construction work for capital projects
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#16
Morneau & Murphy
Total Amount Paid: $11,437,742.50
Agency: Department of Environmental Management
Services Provided: Bond counsel (legal services)
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#15
Wakely Consulting Group
Total Amount Paid: $11,780,595.16
Agency: Office of the Governor
Services Provided: Consulting services on multiple aspects of the new health benefits exchange
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#14
Delta Dental of Rhode Island
Total Amount Paid: $11,960,217.65
Agency: Department of Administration
Services Provided: Dental insurance benefits
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#13
Newport Grand Jai Alai, LLC
Total Amount Paid: $13,283,588.53
Agency: Department of Revenue
Services Provided: Lottery services
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#12
International Game Technology
Total Amount Paid: $13,696,756.41
Agency: Department of Revenue
Services Provided: Lottery services: manufacturer for gaming machines
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#11
Wells Fargo Bank NA
Total Amount Paid: $13,850,661.19
Agency: Department of Administration
Services Provided: Debt service payments
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#10
Narr. Electric Co./National Grid
Total Amount Paid: $15,613,696.50
Agencies: Multiple departments including Transporation, Administration, Environmental Management, and Public Safety
Services Provided: Electric utility
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#9
First Student Inc.
Total Amount Paid: $16,690,458.62
Agency: Department of Education
Services Provided: Busing services for state-run schools
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#8
D'Ambra Construction Co., Inc.
Total Amount Paid: $16,883,366.30
Agency: Department of Transportation
Services Provided: Infrastructure and engineering work
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#7
Noresco, LLC
Total Amount Paid: $20,198,120.59
Agency: Department of Administration
Services Provided: Facilities management (focusing on energy services)
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#6
S & R/Pihl A Joint Venture, LLC
Total Amount Paid: $21,796,515.27
Agency: Department of Transportation
Services Provided: Infrastructure and engineering work
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#5
HP Enterprise Services, LLC
Total Amount Paid: $23,038,424.72
Agency: Office of Health and Human Services
Services Provided: Fiscal agent for state Medicaid program
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#4
GTECH Corporation
Total Amount Paid: $44,079,461.35
Agency: Department of Revenue
Services Provided: Lottery technology products and services
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#3
Cardi Corporation
Total Amount Paid: $52,191,502.81
Agency: Department of Transportation
Services Provided: Infrastructure and engineering work
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#2
Bank of New York Trust Company
Total Amount Paid: $93,395,096.54
Agencies: Departments of Administration, Transportation, Public Safety, and the Office of the General Treasurer
Services Provided: Banking services including debt service payments
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#1
United Healthcare
Total Amount Paid: $257,263,386
Agency: Department of Administration
Services Provided: Administration of health insurance benefits
Note: Includes total of payments to United Healthcare and its divisions.
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