The Associated Press is reporting a security glitch in Contour Software which rendered at least 700 mortgage applications visible over the Internet.
California-based Contour claims its software is used to process one in three US mortgage applications. The breach was discovered by a computer security firm conducting a routine audit at a Pennsylvanian bank, reports AP. The report quotes homeowner Ronald Johnson, who comparison-shopped for mortgages online and learned that his application was visible on the Internet. It included his and his wife's Social Security numbers, lists of assets and work history.
A Contour Software spokesman called the problem "a rarity" and said the application would be difficult to locate on the Internet. AP quotes Contour spokesman Scott Cooley, who blames a disgruntled former employee for turning off security settings for a computer directory where the loan applications were stored.
He told AP that the problem has been rectified and appears to have involved details of 700 customers from 27 mortgage brokers who use the company's software.