Thousands of credit card numbers were stolen from a state government Web site that allows residents to register their cars and buy state permits, authorities said Friday.

The private company that runs http://www.ri.gov said that 4,118 credit card numbers had probably been taken, a state official said. All online transactions were suspended Friday until any possible security problems could be fixed.

We just cannot risk it, said Department of Administration Director Beverly Najarian.

The company, New England Interactive, originally told state officials late last month that eight credit card numbers were stolen during a security breach, but said Thursday that thousands had probably been taken, Najarian said.

Clearly this shows that adequate security on the internet is still an issue in many quarters, learn more courtesy of ap.org