Friday, August 15, 2014

Albertson's stores hacked for credit card data

albertsons hack Albertson's and Shop 'N Save became the latest companies to experience a data breach of its debit and credit card data. NEW YORK (CNNMoney) Hackers have broken into the credit and debit card payment networks at two of the nation's most popular supermarket store chains: Albertson's and SuperValu.

The chains announced the data breach Friday morning. The massive hack impacts their umbrella of stores, as well.

That includes Albertson's Acme, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's and Star Market supermarkets, as well as SuperValu's Cub Foods, Hornbacher's, Farm Fresh, Shop 'N Save and Shoppers Food & Pharmacy.

The extent of the damage isn't yet clear, and the grocery chains haven't yet said how many customers might be affected. SuperValu said it knows hackers broke into the computer network that processes card payments, but it's unsure whether they managed to take the data.

If they did, hackers made off with the typical information stored on a credit card's magnetic stripe: your name, card number, expiration date and the three-digit security code.

Related story: 'Smart credit card' terminals can be hacked too

SuperValu said the virtual break-in affected credit cards swiped at 228 stores between June 22 and July 17. Albertson's did not say how many of its 1,060 locations were affected by the hack. But it believes more than 700 were affected.

That includes every Acme, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's and Star Market -- plus all Albertson's stores in Southern California, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming and Southern Utah.

Flappy Bird... on a payment terminal?   Flappy Bird... on a payment terminal?

SuperValu and Albertson's share the same technology system that was attacked. It's unclear which store or stores was hit first.

Cybersecurity: How safe are you? -- a custom Flipboard magazine

SuperValu said the security hole has been plugged and customers can now safely use card swiping terminals at its stores.

This event will only add to this sobering statistic: Half of American adults have been hacked this past year.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Elon Musk's SpaceX sued for labor violations

musk space x Elon Musk's commercial space launch company SpaceX is being sued by former workers alleging the company violated California labor laws. NEW YORK (CNNMoney) Elon Musk's SpaceX, the private space launch provider, is being sued by former employees who say they weren't allowed to take breaks, weren't paid overtime, and that the company failed to give them enough warning before a big round of layoffs.

Two lawsuits, seeking class action status, were filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court within the past week.

SpaceX, or Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, designs, manufactures and launches spacecrafts for commercial purposes. It also has a $1.6 billion contract with NASA to fly supplies to the International Space Station.

The company was founded in 2002 by Musk, who is also the founder and CEO of electric car maker Tesla Motors (TSLA).

In one suit Joseph A. Smith, alleges that SpaceX broke California state wage and hour laws by failing to provide required meal and rest periods.

California labor law requires a half hour break after five hours of work, and a second half hour break after 10 hours of work.

Smith also alleges that SpaceX cheated him out of pay by making him work "off the clock" and rounding his time entries to reflect "fewer total hours than were actually worked," when he was a tool maker at the company's rocket making plant in Hawthorne, Ca.

Smith is seeking unpaid wages, compensation for missed rest periods, and any penalty fees.

In the other suit, Bobby R. Lee and Bron Gatling, both former structural technicians at SpaceX, allege that the company failed to give proper warning about layoffs involving 200 to 400 workers last month.

California labor law requires companies to warn workers with a written notice 60 days before layoffs that involve 50 to 499 workers.

Lee and Gatling are seeking back pay and the value of any benefits they would have received. They are also seeking any legal penalties applicable in the case.

A call made to the firm representing Lee and Gatling was not returned.

Elon Musk courts politicians with SpaceX   Elon Musk courts politicians with SpaceX

A spokesperson for James Hawkins, the lawyer representing Smith, also had no comment on the case.

SpaceX declined to comment on the ! matter.