Windows Blamed for Home Depot Hack; Execs Get Macs

The Home Depot recently revealed that its systems had been hacked, leaving approximately 56 million customer credit cards and 53 million email addresses vulnerable to cybercriminals. Now, the retailer is apparently blaming Microsoft's Windows operating system (OS) for its security vulnerabilities, and has reportedly switched many top-ranking employees to Macintosh computers and iPhones.

The Home Depot announced additional findings of its security breach on November 6, 2014. In the days that followed, customers whose data was affected received an email from the company, which read: "Criminals used a third-party vendor's user name and password to enter the perimeter of Home Depot's network ... The hackers then acquired elevated rights that allowed them to navigate portions of Home Depot's network and to deploy unique, custom-built malware on its self-checkout systems in the U.S. and Canada." (Source: homedepot.com)

Home Depot Alerted by Secret Service

The Home Depot did not learn of the security breach until notified by the U.S. Secret Service, which told the retailer that hackers were selling stolen credit card numbers on the black market. The Home Depot then initiated an investigation which revealed that malware had been installed on a store computer, and then later deleted it. (Source: bgr.com)

Now, new reports suggest the hackers behind the attack gained access to the retailer's systems by exploiting a security flaw in Microsoft Windows. Although that vulnerability has reportedly since been patched, The Home Depot has taken recent action to ensure its highest-ranking employees are no longer using Windows. According to The Wall Street Journal, The Home Depot's IT department recently purchased several dozen secure iPhones and MacBooks for senior-level executives.

Experts Skeptical About iOS, OS X "Invulnerability"

But experts, including Network World's 'Ms. Smith', point out that a switch to iOS and Mac devices won't guarantee the safety of The Home Depot's data. "It's not like OS X and iOS are invulnerable," Smith says. "Windows may be used by more businesses, making it low-hanging fruit targeted by more attackers, but it's now a myth to claim that increasingly popular Apple products are exempt from exploitation. OS X and iOS malware is here to stay." (Source: networkworld.com)

Smith points to Wirelurker, a type of malware created specifically for OS X and iOS, as evidence that Apple systems are not invulnerable to attack. (Source: paloaltonetworks.com)

Home Depot Hack Still Under Investigation

The hack on Home Depot is said to have happened in April of this year, but wasn't widely reported in the media until September. (Source: cbc.ca) The incident is still under investigation and follows a similar case involving Target, which was infiltrated by hackers in December 2013. In the latter case, payment and personal data from an expected 70 million customers was stolen.

What's Your Opinion?

Do you believe that all corporate executives and those responsible for sensitive data use non-Windows systems? Have you ever purchased an Apple device because you believed it was less likely to be hacked? Is it about time that people start believing that the days of iOS and OS X "invulnerability" are over?