Hackers break into charity website

The Charity Commission is warning its members to shore up their defences against online fraud, after hackers broke through the online security systems of a Christian charity and stole donors' personal details. 

The Commission said that 2,000 contact details of donors to Aid to the Church in Need were exposed by the hack, and that some donors were subsequently contacted in a bid to steal money.

As a result the charity has shut down its website, warned its benefactors and reported the incident to the police.

Neville Kyrke-Smith, national director at Aid to the Church in Need UK, said: "We are all in a state of shock. Apart from the obvious distress to benefactors, we are concerned that our charity identity has been stolen."

Andrew Hind, chief executive at the Charity Commission, added: "This charity used a secure encrypted connection to transfer and store data, and its website should have been safe.

"All charities need to regularly review website security and make sure that they stay ahead of the hackers and fraudsters."

Charities concerned about web security should view the online guidance (PDF) found on the Department of Trade and Industry website.

Aid to the Church in Need is an international charity providing funds for over 8,000 global projects.

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