Audit shows agency destroyed computers, keyboards, mice over virus fear

[Firefox]

I couldn't believe this story when I read it..... Extreme measure to get ride of malware.....

Too much? Audit shows agency destroyed computers, keyboards, mice over virus fear

In an almost cartoonish response to a relatively minor problem, employees at the obscure Economic Development Administration took a hammer to their computers, keyboards and mice in an effort to destroy all of the agency’s tech-related hardware after incorrectly believing their network had been hacked.

Not only was the reaction unorthodox and unnecessary, it cost $2.7 million in damages -- more than half the agency’s annual technology budget, according to a recently released inspector general report.

The scathing audit also reveals that employees and contractors hired by the agency, which operates under the Commerce Department, repeatedly broke protocol and embarked on a series of bizarre blunders based on faulty information. Among them was the apparent assumption that a computer mouse can carry a virus.

An EDA spokesperson told FoxNews.com that the IT disruptions did not affect the agency’s work.

Here’s how it went down:

On Dec. 6, 2011, the U.S. Computer Emergency Response Team, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security, notified the Commerce Department that it detected a potential malware infection within the department’s computer system. Malware is software intended to damage or disable computer systems.

There is more to the story......

To read on click on the image below for FoxNews below or just click on Source under the image....

Source

[Guest masterblokz]

They should've known malwarebytes was here ready to help, instead of smashing their computers and mice and keyboards to bits [Why the mouse? lol..]

It might be possible to infect/corrupt a driver for a mouse, but that's about it. Why do these people get hired

[David H. Lipman]

It's a US DoC subordinate Federal Agency.  Thus they would have to have a license under FARs terms to be able to use MBAM.

[CWB]

yer tax dollar hard at ...errr ... ummm ... make that "down the drain"

never underestimate the extent of human stupidity and ignorance .

 

so , did anybody get the ax over such a grand display of short bus mentality ?

[David H. Lipman]

I think it a case of indirect planned obsolescence. 

 

They needed new hardware and they were jealous of other agencies who have all the latest toys so they used a a malware scare and used an improper application of DoC CIRT procedures in a way that gets them new toys.  

 

 

 

 

 

{ all tongue in cheek }

[mountaintree16]

ohhh emmm geeee

 

::facepalm::

[Firefox]

Must be nice to get paid that kind of money to consult even if you got it wrong.....

[GT500]

so , did anybody get the ax over such a grand display of short bus mentality ?

Of course not. They're Federal employees, why would they get in trouble for wasting money?