Malicious Hacker Goes Phising on eBay..AGAIN

Company says Security Breach has not affected customer database

A persistent hacker has apparently breached the security defenses of eBay once again, causing concern in customers and investors alike. According to reports on numerous web sites, including SecurityFocus.com, which termed this latest breach a "security crisis," a Romanian hacker has for the third time in as many months gotten past Ebay's barricades, causing havoc and concern that is leaving the company red-faced in terms of its security and public relations departments.

The abundance of listings that are posted by the hacker, who goes by the name Vladuz, and later removed by Ebay has significantly affected Ebay's listing numbers. This has irked some customers and shareholders due to Ebay's impotence in dealing with the problem. Those postings are not merely Vladuz's toying with eBay; they are apparently a result of a security hole in eBay's system that allows cyber-crooks to take over established accounts at will and post a flurry of fraudulent auctions. Once eBay's security team catches wind of the scams, the postings are removed, creating the sudden decline in listings.

Citing MSNBC's The Red Tape Chronicle blog by Bob Sullivan, CNet.com's Dawn Kawamoto notes that Vladuz's shenanigans include posting notices on eBay's Trust & Safety forums in pink - a color reserved for company employees. These posts take some unflattering shots at eBay.

Despite Vladuz hacking another Ebay employee's account and the continuation of the appearance of high quantities of scam listings from hackers, Ebay maintains that its security is safe. The company says that its database of sensitive customer information is still secure.

The Short News site has a posting with links to some related and useful resources that might keep you abreast of this.