Is it just me or do universities have down-right appalling security considering they have ALL of my financial information? I just received this letter in the mail:

Further analysis of networked computing resources at the University of Texas at Dallas indicates that all individuals employed between 1999 and 2005 potentially have had sensitive information exposed by a computer network intrusion.

The information that may have been exposed includes names and Social Security numbers, and in some cases addresses, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers.

There continues to be no indication that the information has been disclosed, disseminated or used to anyone’s detriment at this time. The approximate overall number of affected individuals has increased to 6,000.

To recap, the individuals whose information is known to be involved at this time include:

* In the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, students and faculty as well as applicants for admission dating back as far back as 1993.
* All staff and faculty of the University who were employed from January 1999 through August 2005.

To recap, the university employs morons in the IT department and there is no legal precedent that I know of to guard myself in the event that these types of break-ins result in the ruining of my credit/good name.

What the hell is wrong with the system that I can attend college, have my identity stolen (credit ruined, name sullied) and the company responsible for my information is incapable to securing it. Why should I have to give them any financial information at all?

So between Sunshine and I, we have had our personal information compromised 4 times by 3 different universities in the last 3 years. The most frustrating thing is, if my credit is ruined because of this, it will take me years to fix it and the university, who is truly responsible, has no legal obligation!

At times like this, the only action appropriate is to slam my hands on my desk and shout obsenities.