Education Department working to fix software after student loan data breach

[lyger <lyger () attrition org>]

http://www.startribune.com/484/story/631186.html

Associated Press
Last update: August 23, 2006 . 11:54 AM

WASHINGTON. The Education Department was working to fix a software glitch 
in its student loan Web site after users complained that they could see 
other people's personal data.

The department said Wednesday that only a "limited number'' of the 
program's 6.4 million borrowers were believed to be affected after the 
problem began Sunday, since not all use the online system. It did not 
specify how many.

The program involves holders of federal direct student loans, not those 
who have loans managed through private companies.

The department blamed the data breach on a routine software upgrade, 
conducted by Dallas-based contractor Affiliated Computers Services Inc., 
that appeared to mix up data for different borrowers when they accessed 
the Web site. Since Sunday, four borrowers have complained, a spokeswoman 
said.

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