It seems that information security is never high up on anyone’s list… until it is way late.
Malware has hot Starwood hotels in a nasty way – with it collecting credit card information from payment points and cash terminals at some of its hotels in the USA and Canada.
The malware spread to 54 hotels including Sheratons, St Regis W and Westin brand hotels – the full list is at http://www.starwoodhotels.com/Media/PDF/Corporate/Hotel_List.pdf with dates that the malware outbreak affected the hotels
Starwood Hotels hit by the malware incident – Starwood – http://www.starwoodhotels.com/Media/PDF/Corporate/Hotel_List.pdf
Data theft can include customer names, credit card numbers, card security codes, and expiration dates. Data such as addresses, reservation information and Starwood Rewards information should not have been exposed in the breach.
The malware has been isolated and removed according to Starwood.
If you’ve been to these hotels, keep an eye on your credit card/banking statements and check for suspicous charges.
A full apology from Starwood has been published.
However, if you think this is the end of this brand of theft and malware, you’d be wrong. Other chains such as Trump Hotels and Hilton have been hit – event the Hard Rock Cafe Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas have felt malware impacting point of sale equipment.
Keep your eyes peeled out there!
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