November 04, 2024
This year has seen a surge in cybercriminal activities, with several high-profile data breaches capturing attention and costing businesses millions. From healthcare giants to project management platforms, no sector is exempt from these threats. But what implications do these breaches have for small to midsize businesses? Similar vulnerabilities exist, and failing to address them can lead to disastrous outcomes.
Let's review five of the most significant breaches of 2024 so far and explore how your business can safeguard itself.
1. National Public Data
Recently, a hacking group claimed responsibility for stealing 2.7 billion personal records from a background checking and public data-brokering site. The stolen data includes sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and addresses. Although the data has been partially released on the dark web, experts are still verifying its accuracy, as the total population of the affected countries is only about half a billion. Nevertheless, it's probable that numerous Social Security numbers have been compromised.
Given the widespread impact of this breach, it's crucial for everyone to closely monitor their financial and online identities immediately. A practical measure is to freeze your credit to guard against identity theft, and unfreeze it when necessary for activities like applying for loans or credit cards. Check if your information was exposed here!
2. Ticketmaster
A major data breach at Ticketmaster compromised the personal and financial details of over 560 million customers. Hackers infiltrated the company's database in April and May, accessing sensitive information such as names, emails, phone numbers, and payment details. This breach highlighted significant security flaws at Ticketmaster, raising consumer concerns. Many victims reported unauthorized transactions and identity theft following the incident. Additionally, this breach compounded the legal challenges faced by Ticketmaster's parent company, Live Nation, which was already embroiled in a lawsuit with the US Department of Justice over anticompetitive practices.
3. Change Healthcare
In February 2024, Change Healthcare suffered a massive ransomware attack that exposed the personal information of over 145 million individuals. As one of the largest breaches in healthcare history, it compromised sensitive data, including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and medical records. The incident had widespread repercussions for patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies, prompting many in the healthcare sector to reevaluate their cybersecurity strategies to prevent future attacks.
4. AT&T
In March, AT&T experienced a data breach that exposed the personal information of approximately 73 million current and former customers. This extensive breach included sensitive data such as Social Security numbers, account details, and passcodes. The compromised data, dating back to 2019, appeared on the dark web in March 2024. This breach is part of a series of attacks on AT&T, following a 2023 incident affecting 9 million users. In response, AT&T initiated an investigation to contain the malware while continuing to serve current customers. The breach has also exposed the company to potential class action lawsuits.
Even if your business doesn't handle millions of customers like AT&T, it can still be targeted by cyber-attacks. Protecting your network with strong security measures, training employees on password and phishing prevention, and maintaining an active cybersecurity strategy is essential.
5. Dell
In May, Dell fell victim to a security breach when a hacker known as Menelik used a brute-force attack to infiltrate one of their resellers' client portals. This breach exposed 49 million records containing sensitive data, including customer names, email addresses, payment information, and account details. The incident raised significant concerns about Dell's cybersecurity practices, prompting the company to issue a public apology and commit to enhancing its security protocols. In response to the breach, Dell has faced increased regulatory scrutiny and may encounter legal challenges as more details about the impact emerge.
What Does This Mean For You Personally?
We have several blogs on steps to take if you're affected by a data breach, but the most crucial action is to freeze your credit and monitor your bank accounts. Websites like www.haveIbeenpwnd.com can help you determine if your email has been compromised in a breach.
What Does This Mean For Your Business?
While these breaches impacted major corporations, small to midsize businesses are not immune. In fact, SMBs are increasingly targeted because they often lack the robust security measures of larger companies. Cybercriminals are aware of this, and the stakes are high: a single breach could cost your business thousands in downtime, lost data, and reputational damage.
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