IRS Leaves Taxpayer Data Largely Unprotected

LogError writes "Two weeks ago, Department of Treasury received a D-minus grade in the Federal Computer Security Report Card for 2005, down from a D-plus grade in 2004. The majority of Treasury systems are those belonging to IRS. The government-wide computer-security grade for 2005 was D-plus, while Homeland Security and Defense both received an F. Grades are based on reports submitted to Congress by the agencies; the reports are required under the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002.8 The scores are meant to reflect whether departments meet federally mandated security standards."

See!

[Average_Joe_Sixpack]

This is why I refuse to pay income taxes!

IRS Hacking

[jimbolauski]

Who in their right mind would hack into the IRS sure it would be nice to add a zero to my return but you don't f*** with the IRS.

Is A Pleasure To Have In Class

[American AC in Paris]

Hey, a D- is a passing grade--what's wrong with that?

I mean, wouldn't you much rather have a national government that was more like you, instead of some kind of intellectual-elite government scoring all "A"s? Better to have a government that understands people like you than a government that is out of touch with mainstream American values, I say!

(Break out the hookers and blow! Party at Treasury!)

Careful...

[JeanBaptiste]

This is why I refuse to pay income taxes!

Careful, they got a D- in protecting data, but they have an A doubleplus in 'tracking your ass down and throwing you in jail'. ask Al Capone.

Re:Security, the Gold Standard

[Xiroth]

There are some things money can't buy. For everything else, there's the American taxpayer.

Re:IRS Hacking

[Alias777]

This is the Internet. You can say "fuck" here.

Old News

[lynxpardinus]

We all knew this already. If a chick like Trinity could hack into the IRS... how good could their security be?

zerg

[Lord Omlette]

In 2004, the Department of Commerce got an F.
In 2005, the Department of Commerce got a D+.

Clearly, they must have improved slightly. Why didn't anyone highlight these improvements to show the DOJ, NRC and Treasury that, even if you're completely retarded, you can still make some improvement?

Did any one pass?

[sirnuke]

Did any department pass?

In other news, the department of agriculture passed with flying colors. Though they haven't figured it how to plug in their 486 yet, so it's not entirely a fair fight.

Re:Is A Pleasure To Have In Class

[multisync]

Don't you mean nucular?

A literalist hacker helps you today!

[Valdrax]

...it would be nice to add a zero to my return...

I decided to help you out there. Here you go.
Instead of getting a return of $237.13, you will now receive $237.130.

Have a nice day!

Taking a jab...

[wuffalicious]

It's good to know that when other government agencies are starting to become increasingly paranoid, there is one that values keeping their records available to the public.

Re:Careful...

[Swanktastic]

I know you're joking and all, but I still feel like pointing out for those who modded you Insightful why this isn't so simple.

The rod up your butt must have a rod up it's butt.