IT consultant denies 25million pound Web site blackmail

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/8/19022.html

By: Kieren McCarthy
Posted: 17/05/2001 at 15:24 GMT

IT consultant Graham Browne is to be tried at the Old Bailey in
September for attempting to blackmail an unidentified financial
institution for 25 million over weak security, Private Eye reports.

Browne denies an alleged threat to compromise the security of
Barclays' Barclaycard operation. The blackmail demands were made
between March and September last year. Barclays' online banking
service - the largest in Britain - was cracked in July last year and
collapsed again in February this year.

Customers account details were accessible through the site before the
plug was pulled. The bank claimed that no one was able to carry out
any fraudulent transactions. But then it would say that. The security
threat was thought to be so serious that eight million credit cards
would have to be recalled.

Mr Browne, 57, pleaded not guilty to a hearing at the Old Bailey at
the start of this month.



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