Getting The Word Out – Dr. Pruitt Discloses Data Breach
“Apparently Protected Health Information (PHJ), including the social security numbers of up to 11,000 Williamsport, Pennsylvania dental patients, have been available online for 3 years due to an unreported data breach from a HIPAA-covered dentist.” http://thepiratebay.sx/torrent/5374693/
“”Here is a short list of seeders’ computers which are currently sharing the identities of Williamsport residents with anyone interested”:
“Following an unreported data breach from a dental office over 3 years ago, up to 11,000 Williamsport, Pennsylvania patients’ protected Health Information (PHI), including the social security numbers, have been made available by Piratebay “seeders” under the title, “Dentrix XI Dental Practice Management Software.”
“Here is a short list of seeders’ computers which are currently sharing the identities of Williamsport residents with anyone interested”:
70.112.83.223 AustinTX
222-adsl.ntc.net.np Nepal
117.197.136.142 India
217.21.147.176 Albania
117.197.136.142 IP University of Pittsburgh, PA
Frightening.
D. Kellus Pruitt DDS
cc: American Dental Association
UPDATE:
Williamsport data breach: Failure of leadership in the dental profession
Today, Piratebay reports that there are 14 “seeders” and 1 “leecher” who are showing interest in the “Dentrix XI Dental Practice Management Software” file – the Piratebay “torrent” containing Protected Health Information (PHI) of 11,000 Williamsport, Pennsylvania dental patients.
http://thepiratebay.sx/torrent/5374693/
“Seeders” – like the IP addresses I shared yesterday from Austin, Nepal, India and Albania – have downloaded the complete file, and in turn, join other seeders in helping to speed the distribution of personal information. The more seeders a torrent attracts, the faster Albanians and others can download dental patients’ social security numbers, birthdates, medical information and other private items.
“Leechers” are those who share what they have, while downloading what others have to offer.
To appreciate the vast, lasting harm that resulted from only one unreported Pennsylvania data breach, the number of seeders and leechers changes daily. This means that after three years, owners of hundreds, if not thousands of computers in some of the seediest parts of the world may already know more about Williamsport residents better than their own neighbors.
What we need is leadership from the American Dental Association.
D. Kellus Pruitt DDS
cc: American Dental Associaton
