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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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Justice Breyer's Records Leaked in File-Sharing Snafu

Investment firm staffer leaked data with music

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(Newser) – An employee at an investment firm made much more than music available when he used a company computer to access the file-sharing site Limewire, reports the Washington Post. He also made it possible for users to access records of 2,000 of the firm's clients—including Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. Users as far away as Colombia downloaded the data, which can be used to open lines of credit.

"This may explain why two weeks ago I got a $9,000 cellphone bill," said one lawyer affected by the data breach. An expert called in to clean up the mess warned that leaks involving file-sharing sites are very common, although high-profile targets make this case exceptional.

Justice Stephen Breyer, seen here in a 2007 file photo, was among the 2,000 victims of a data breach at an investment company.
Justice Stephen Breyer, seen here in a 2007 file photo, was among the 2,000 victims of a data breach at an investment company.   (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)
An employee at an investment firm accidentally shared the records of the company's high-profile clients when he used the Limewire file-sharing site.
An employee at an investment firm accidentally shared the records of the company's high-profile clients when he used the Limewire file-sharing site.   ((c) Kriston Lewis)
Experts warn that users who don't play close attention to their default settings on file-sharing software could end up sharing more than they expected.
Experts warn that users who don't play close attention to their default settings on file-sharing software could end up sharing more than they expected.   (Getty Images)
File-sharing software allowed Limewire users to download a client list from an investment firm, the kind of leak experts warn is becoming increasingly common.
File-sharing software allowed Limewire users to download a client list from an investment firm, the kind of leak experts warn is becoming increasingly common.   ((c) Locutis)
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