A data breach could have compromised the payment information of 4,600 motorists who paid city-issued parking tickets in Ames — using a software application also implicated in at least 18 municipal breaches nationally since early 2017. Affected motorists who paid Ames parking tickets using the Click2Gov application from Aug. 10 to Nov. 19 may have had personal information breached, the city reported in a Friday afternoon press release, including first
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City of Ames data breach hits drivers who paid city parking tickets
A data breach could have compromised the payment information of 4,600 motorists who paid city-issued parking tickets through the city of Ames’ online payment system, the city announced in a press release. Ames information technology staff discovered a potential compromise in the city’s link to third party vendor Click2Gov on Nov. 18, and took the system offline for assessment; the payment system was brought back online on Nov. 20, the
Office Depot retools empty storefronts into coworking spaces
Office Depot is counting on formerly empty storefronts to make a big impact on its new business model: the company’s new Workonomy Hubs offer coworking desks and private offices are part of a catchall location of business services, reports Fast Company. Nationally, Office Depot has closed around 300 locations in two years, so if successful, the Workonomy Hub model might be a viable solution to all that sitting commercial space. IN OTHER
A response road map to cyber attacks
“Herman” comes back from vacation over Veteran’s Day weekend to a mess. Herman, who leads the HR department at his company, doesn’t know that a salesperson opened an infected Excel document from an email claiming to be a client over the weekend; on this day, all he knows is that $100,000 of payroll has been redirected from employees to mysterious cyber criminals, who are now threatening to withhold or destroy
Iowa City police request bids for cell phone mapping technology
The Iowa City Police Department is seeking vendor bids for cellphone tracking technology, reports the Daily Iowan. The department is seeking software with the ability to research mobile phone numbers, map phone records received, analyze records for call-frequency lists and other services that provide location data. Iowa City police have not previously had access to the software, but cellphone mapping technology was used by investigators in the murder case of Mollie

AppLink.io launches new app analytics system
From left: Founder and CEO Adam Hass, Head of Business Development Rob Hugen, Head of Marketing Michael Dunn. Photo provided. Des Moines software analytics startup AppLink.io is launching a new web and mobile application platform to offer app developers and marketers full-view insights into the app’s performance and engagement. Based in Johnston, AppLink.io’s App Growth Platform will bring tools for developers and marketers into one toolbox, founder and CEO Adam Hass said. “If you
Developing ‘duck and cover’ in the age of cybersecurity
In the 1950s, the threat was nuclear, and even the school children were prepared. The U.S. Civil Defense Administration enlisted the help of animators to create “Duck and Cover,” a short film featuring Bert the turtle to teach children how to protect themselves in case of a nuclear explosion. “If you duck and cover, you will feel much safer,” the voiceover advises as Bert jumps for safety inside his shell.
New app uses IBM blockchain to protect your right to your data
VENTUREBEAT: Imagine opening your mailbox and receiving a paper deed, proclaiming your legal ownership to every piece of digital, medical and locational data you have ever generated. Now imagine that paper deed has the blockchain technology behind it to allow you to protect or lease that data to any organization seeking its use. A new app out by Hu-manity.co is claiming to do just that for users who download the #My31
ISU-based forensic data center earns top award from American Statistical Association
A forensic evidence center led by Iowa State University faculty received top honors from the American Statistical Association, the university announced last week. Based at ISU, the Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence (CSAFE) received the Statistical Partnerships Among Academe, Industry and Government (SPAIG) award in a presentation in Vancouver, British Columbia. CSAFE was selected along with its three-year partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology