Downloads prompt call for computer security upgrades BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer MATAWAN - A borough hall computer was used to download photos of young women, an act described as a "security breach" that is causing alarm at the municipal complex. On the evenings of July 24, two separate incidents occurred in the construction department's office at borough hall: an envelope filled with $25 in petty cash was stolen and someone used a computer to download inappropriate photos, according to Borough Administrator Fred Carr. "Somebody left their computer on," Carr said. "They didn't log off when they left." The mystery man or woman then used the computer to download and print photos, leaving two behind in the printer box. Carr said the woman in the photos was fully dressed. On Friday, Detective Sgt. Ben Smith said the incident was reported on July 24, but the theft could have occurred anytime between June 13 and July 24. Smith said the report does not contain any mention of the computer downloads and/or pornography of any kind. Smith, who just returned from vacation, said the report states the missing money was taken from a box located in a common area. That box is currently being processed, he said. Also, there was no indication of a forced entry, according to the report, Smith said. Councilman Paul Buccellato is vexed by the situation, saying he has heard conflicting stories about what happened at the construction department. Buccellato noted construction officials reported to him that the computer showed access to a pornographic Web site. On July 30, just a few days after the incident, Assistant Construction Code Officer Lynn Kramer said she was unable to comment on the nature of the computer downloads. Still, Carr was adamant in his assertions. "Whoever said it was porn is an idiot and a liar," Carr said, adding the woman in the photos wore "regular clothes." Carr added that the woman may be some sort of model but he was unsure of this, having stopped keeping tabs on the subject of models sometime after the era of Raquel Welch. "Never allow the truth to interfere with a good rumor," Carr added. But Buccellato is also concerned about the missing petty cash, which he says is being ignored. "Everything's being downplayed as if it's no big deal," Buccellato said. "I consider it something serious, but I guess they don't." Carr said the real issue is the security of the borough's computer system. The incidents demonstrated a need for better safeguards that can protect private information and disallow access to inappropriate subjects. "It was a security breach," Carr said. "Somebody didn't turn their computer off. That person has been castigated firmly. I talked to him sternly. ... He's an adult. He knows he made a mistake. He made a boo-boo." Still, things could have been worse, Carr said. Instead of a few downloads, a hacker could easily have done serious damage by erasing files or downloading viruses, he said. Some of the sensitive data on file in the system includes payroll information, Social Security numbers and everything supplied to the registrar's office, Carr said. Although it's gathered in different offices, the data is all contained within the same computer network. "So if you can hack into the Pentagon or NORAD, you can probably hack into Matawan, too," Carr said, referring to the North American Aerospace Defense Command. To counterattack the problem, borough officials are considering various computer upgrades and blocking devices, specifically, products that can filter pornography and other Internet sites. Buccellato said he would like to see funds from a Cablevision grant secured two years ago used for upgrading computers in the finance department. Blocking certain Web sites can be done for free, Buccellato said, just by calling the Internet provider.