November 04, 2024
This year has been particularly active for cybercriminals, with several high-profile data breaches making headlines and costing companies millions. From healthcare giants to project management platforms, no sector is immune to these risks. But what do these breaches mean for small to midsize businesses? The same vulnerabilities exist for you, and failing to address them can have catastrophic consequences.
Let's review five of the most significant breaches of 2024 so far and explore how your business can remain secure.
1. National Public Data
Recently, a hacking group claimed to have stolen 2.7 billion personal records from a background checking and public data-brokering site. This data includes sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and addresses. Some of this information has already appeared on the dark web, although experts are still assessing its accuracy, as the populations of the affected countries total only about half a billion. Nonetheless, it's likely that many Social Security numbers have been compromised.
Given the widespread impact, it's crucial for everyone to monitor their financial and online identities closely. A practical step is to freeze your credit to guard against identity theft, unfreezing it as necessary for activities like applying for loans or credit cards. Check if you were affected here!
2. Ticketmaster
A major data breach at Ticketmaster exposed the personal and financial information of over 560 million customers. Hackers accessed the company's database in April and May, stealing sensitive details like names, emails, phone numbers, and payment information. This breach revealed 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 issues of Ticketmaster's parent company, Live Nation, which was already facing a lawsuit from the US Department of Justice for anticompetitive practices.
3. Change Healthcare
In February 2024, Change Healthcare suffered a massive ransomware attack that exposed the personal information of over 145 million people. This breach, one of the largest in healthcare history, compromised sensitive data, including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and medical records. The incident had widespread effects on patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies, prompting many in the healthcare industry to rethink their cybersecurity strategies to prevent similar attacks in the future.
4. AT&T
In March, AT&T experienced a data breach that compromised 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 breach was linked to data from as far back as 2019, which surfaced on the dark web in March 2024. This incident is part of a series of attacks on AT&T, following a 2023 breach that affected 9 million users. In response, AT&T launched an investigation to contain the malware while maintaining services for current customers. The breach has also exposed the company to potential class action lawsuits.
Even if you don't manage millions of customers like AT&T, your business can still be targeted by cyber-attacks. It's vital to protect your network by implementing strong security measures, training employees on password and phishing prevention, and maintaining an active cybersecurity strategy.
5. Dell
In May, Dell suffered 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, leading 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 what to do if you're affected by a data breach, but the most important action is to freeze your credit and check your bank account. Websites like www.haveIbeenpwned.com can tell you if your email has been exposed in a breach.
What Does This Mean For Your Business?
While these breaches have occurred at major companies, small to midsize businesses are not off the radar. In fact, SMBs are increasingly targeted because they often lack the robust security measures that larger companies have. Cybercriminals are aware of this, and the stakes couldn't be higher: a single breach could cost your business thousands in downtime, lost data, and damaged reputation.
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