The Charity Commission has warned charities to protect themselves against
internet risks after hackers attacked the online security systems of a
Christian charity, Aid to the Church in Need, and stole details of over
2,000 online donors.

The Charity Commission has warned charities to protect themselves against
internet risks after hackers attacked the online security systems of a
Christian charity, Aid to the Church in Need, and stole details of over
2,000 online donors.

In some cases, the fraudsters have used these details to contact benefactors
directly, trying to extract more money.
The charity closed its website temporarily, warned those affected and
reported the breach to the police.
"We are all in a state of shock," said Neville Kyrke-Smith, National
Director at Aid to the Church in Need UK. "Apart from the obvious distress
to benefactors, we're concerned that our charity identity has been
stolen.However it's the beneficiaries, those who need the money the most,
who will
ultimately suffer. I urge all charities to regularly review their website
security and make sure all software is up-to-date."
According to Andrew Hind, Chief Executive at the Commission:
"This charity already used a secure encrypted connection to transfer and
store data and the organisation's website should have been safe. However
it's a sad fact of modern times that charities, like businesses, have to
make sure their websites are protected. All charities need to regularly
review website security and make sure they stay ahead of the hackers and
fraudsters."
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/12/12/charity_hack/
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UK Ministry of St Luke