Labour Party in Web security gaffe

Launches hi-tech crime unit, tells people to email credit card details

By John Leyden, 18th April 2001

Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Backup/Recovery

The yolk was on the Labour Party when it fell fowl on the most basic laws of common sense and Internet security in a jokey piece on its site attacking the Tories "eggstreme" right-wing policies.

An item on New Labour's site called "Tory egg cups expose the Tories' hard-boiled policies" invited supporters to order a range of micky-taking merchandise that depicted Michael Portillo as "uneggonomic" and Anne Widdecombe as "eggscruciating".

But the invitation to buy goods in the article contained seriously cracked security advice. Anybody wanting the tacky trinkets (who wants an eggcup with William Hague is "eggstreme" on it anyway?) was invited to "send an email with all your credit card details to shop@new.labour.org.uk"

This (from a party in government that wants to make Britain the safest place in the world to do ecommerce) is just about the silliest advice we're heard in months.

Considering New Labour Home Secretary Jack Straw launched a multi-million pound Hi-Tech Crime Unit this morning you think it might realise that it's a good idea to protect credit card information sent over the net. To do otherwise is the same as writing your credit card number on a postcard that anyone can see.

As it is, Labour's rotten online security leaves surfers scrambling for safety. It's just as well the kit on sale is so naff... ®