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Hackers raise security alarm

Security concerns have been raised after a successful hack by Dutch researchers allowed them a day's free travel on the London Underground.

According to the Times, Dutch scientist Bart Jacobs, of Radboud University exposed a security flaw in the Mifare smartcard, which is used by thousands of organisations in the UK including the government.

Some 17 million London Underground Oyster cards as well as millions of identity cards use the electronic security system which was easily hacked into using an ordinary laptop.

So serious was the breach that the Dutch government has decided to review the smartcard system that secures its buildings, according to Wired.

"We're in the process of replacing the cards of all 120,000 civil servants at central government level," said a spokesman for the Dutch Interior Ministry.

There are concerns now that criminals may have already hacked into the system.

Hacking is a major headache for governments worldwide and the UK is especially worried about their activities.

Last week a government minister warned the country was more vulnerable to attacks from hackers and cyber terrorists now that internet use in the government had increased.

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