Defender Marine got hacked

Dr. D

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Nov 3, 2018
279
Beneteau Oceanis 35.1 Herrington Harbour North
Today I received an email from Defender Marine. They found malware on their servers which was sending to somewhere customer data. They are sending snail mail and contacting the banks (so credit card information was taken).

The email didn't say, but I changed my password.
 
Jul 7, 2004
8,481
Hunter 30T Cheney, KS
Thanks for the heads up! I always try to tell online vendors not to keep my CC info. Not as convenient, but more secure.
 
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Likes: jssailem
Oct 1, 2007
1,865
Boston Whaler Super Sport Pt. Judith




Dear Defender Customer –

We’re writing some of our customers because we recently learned of a problem on our e-commerce platform. We immediately took steps to investigate the issue. Malware was discovered on our platform that put some customer card information at risk. We immediately removed the malware and notified the credit card companies so that they could take action on possibly affected cards.

This is exactly why I never open "accounts" on line.

 
Jul 19, 2013
388
Pearson 31-2 Boston
Thanks, I changed my Defender password. FWIW, their website says they do not retain your CC info and as far as i can see, they dont have mine...
 

AndyBC

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Dec 31, 2020
13
Catalina 34 1394 Toronto
Thanks for the heads up! There is always some risk with online data these days. I bought from defender recently, I don't think they saved my cc info. But even if a fraudster were able to obtain my cc info, I have zero liability for fraud on my cc anyway.
 
May 17, 2004
5,569
Beneteau Oceanis 37 Havre de Grace
Sorry to hear it. I got the email too, as I shopped from them not long ago.
To be fair to Defender (and every other online retailer), it’s not like this doesn’t happen to brick and mortar stores too. Target and Home Depot for example both lost card data because of malware in their in-store payment processing infrastructure.
 
Oct 1, 2007
1,865
Boston Whaler Super Sport Pt. Judith
Even if they don't lose your card, they lose your email address, home address, and telephone. Valuable intoday's world. Never will I buy from Defender again.
 

Bob S

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Sep 27, 2007
1,797
Beneteau 393 New Bedford, MA
Defender doesn't keep your card on file. You have to enter it for each transaction. I too got this email today. I'll have to keep a close eye on my CC account.
 

NYSail

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Jan 6, 2006
3,136
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
Defender for me has been a great resource. I will continue to shop and buy from them..... sure they will get this all straightened out. Like was said, not just on-line vendors get caught with a bug....

Greg
 

Dr. D

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Nov 3, 2018
279
Beneteau Oceanis 35.1 Herrington Harbour North
Defender for me has been a great resource. I will continue to shop and buy from them..... sure they will get this all straightened out. Like was said, not just on-line vendors get caught with a bug....

Greg
I agree. They need to raise the level of their security, but a lot of companies need to do the same.
 

bb2021

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May 28, 2021
3
beneteau oceanis 45 Annapolis
It seems to me if Defender never keeps card info on file, they wouldn't send a message saying, "put some customer card information at risk". That said, if I boycotted everyone who put my information at risk due to hacking, eventually I'd boycott everyone (Target and Home Depot already mentioned). I'd start with the U.S., state and local governments. Several federal agencies, cities and state agencies have had significant (millions of individuals) data thefts from hacking. The best thing to do is keep your own computer clean, don't give information to anyone without thinking twice and never (NEVER!!!) click on a link you're not sure is safe. I'm not sure there is anywhere that is completely safe but most malware can be prevented by paying attention to what you click.
 
Nov 22, 2011
1,250
Ericson 26-2 San Pedro, CA
Thanks for the heads up! There is always some risk with online data these days. I bought from defender recently, I don't think they saved my cc info. But even if a fraudster were able to obtain my cc info, I have zero liability for fraud on my cc anyway.
Just to reinforce your point: I've had my debit/credit cards hacked several times over the (many) years, and the bank has always made good on it; I've never been out any money. And some of these happened even before I was buying stuff online, i.e., from purchases made at brick and mortar stores. The only hassle for me is that I've had to cancel out the old cards and wait for new ones--a fairly minor inconvenience.