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Big gaps found in Japanese cyber security

TOKYO, July 27 (UPI) -- A research project in Japan has shown large security gaps in corporate computer security programs, putting personnel information at risk.

The research by NRI Secure Technologies Ltd., a subsidiary of Nomura Research Institute Ltd., showed that half of 167 Web Sites examined could be entered by hackers and personnel information lifted using common hacking methods, the Asahi Shimbun reported Thursday.

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The information gathered by the NRI examiner, an expert in computer security, included names, addresses, contact information, credit card numbers and other personal data of customers and users.

The 167 sites, the report said, were run by 55 financial and telecommunications companies. One government institute also participated in the project. Ninety percent of the institutions are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange or its affiliates.

According to the report, the NRI examiner utilized user ID information at 30 percent of the sites to gain access to other people's personal data. He also was able to enter areas restricted to Web administrations at 22 percent of the sites.

The experiment was conducted from April 2005 until March of this year.

A similar test of 101 Web sites a year earlier showed 43 percent with security gaps.

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