← DSW Shoe Warehouse

2005 — DSW Shoe Warehouse: Hackers compromised 108 stores across 25 states, 1.4M records

2005 1.4M records affected Share on X

Data compromised

Payment cards, names, checking accounts, driver's licenses

Technical writeup

Apr 2005. Hackers compromised 108 stores across 25 states; theft from Nov 2004–Feb 2005 (one Miami store from 2003). Stole 1.4M credit/debit card numbers, cardholder names; 96k with checking account and driver's license data. Unencrypted files, weak wireless security. FTC settlement; 20-year security audit requirement.

Root cause

Unencrypted storage; weak wireless access; inadequate detection.

References