A Child Tracker Website, uKnowKids, Admits Data Breach

Child Tracker Website, uKnowKids, Admits Data Breach

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Feb 25, 2016

A misconfigured database at uKnowKids, a child-tracker website, has exposed the data of 1,700 children, their person messages, social media profiles and images. More than 6.8 million private text messages, nearly 2 million images and more than 1,700 detailed child profiles were left exposed. These profiles include last names, email addresses, date of birth, GPS coordinates, social media credentials and more.  

The insecure MongoDM installation was online for seven weeks before a security researcher, Chris Vickery, discovered it and reported the issue to uKnowKids. The company responded promptly to tighten the security of its systems.

Steven Woda, chief executive of uKnowKids, admitted to the issue in an advisory to the customers while criticizing the motives of the researcher.

“The hacker claims to be a ‘white-hat’ hacker a ‘security researcher’ or ‘white hat hacker’ or ‘ethical hacker’ which means he tries to obtain unauthorized access into private systems for the benefit of the ‘public good,’” Woda said. “Although we do not approve of his methods because it unnecessarily puts customer data and intellectual property at risk, we appreciate his proactive, quick notification as it was helpful to our team.”

Woda explained that any data breach affecting the subscribers was a very serious issue and the company would not plan to minimize the breach. Woda is also at battle with Vickery who is reluctant to comply with uKnowKids and delete any extracted information he obtained from the database.

“I securely wiped it within 48 hours and notified uKnowKids of this fact,” Vickery said. “However, the few retained screenshots are completely redacted of all Personally Identifiable Information and are being kept for purposes of credibility and to keep uKnowKids (minimally) honest in their claims."

uKnowKids is now working with the FTC to help make their databases more secure.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Accelerating a Pathway

    There is a new trend touting the transformational qualities of AI’s ability to deliver actionable data and predictive analysis that in many instances, seems to be a bit of an overpromise. The reality is that very few solutions in the cyber-physical security (CPS) space live up to this high expectation with the one exception being the new generation of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) software – herein recategorized as PIAM+. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

  • The Progress of Biometrics

  • Next-Gen AI for Smart Cities

    The future of smart city technology is not being shaped in Silicon Valley — it is taking root in Dubuque, Iowa. With a population of about 60,000, this mid-sized city has become a live testbed for AI-driven traffic management thanks to a unique public-private collaboration led by Milestone Systems. Project Hafnia demonstrates how cities can transform urban mobility and safety through Responsible Technology—without costly infrastructure overhauls. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.