Hackers used stolen credentials to access Home Depot computer system

Hackers used stolen credentials to access Home Depot computer system
(Image credit: Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

Hackers who targeted The Home Depot were able to get into the company's computer system by using a username and password stolen from a contractor, and ended up accessing even more information than first thought.

Starting in April, the hackers installed malware on self-checkout registers, and took information from 56 million credit and debit cards, USA Today reports. The Home Depot announced Thursday that the hackers were also able to get 53 million e-mail addresses, although the company says that they did not include passwords, credit card information, or personal information.

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Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.