November 04, 2024
This year has been particularly active for cybercriminals, with several major data breaches capturing headlines and costing companies millions. From healthcare giants to project management platforms, no industry is safe from these threats. But what do these breaches signify for small to midsize businesses? The same vulnerabilities apply, and failing to address them can have devastating consequences.
Let's review five of the most significant breaches of 2024 so far and explore how your business can remain protected.
1. National Public Data
A few months ago, a hacking group claimed to have stolen 2.7 billion personal records from a background checking and public data-brokering site. The data includes sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and addresses. While portions of this data have surfaced on the dark web, experts are still assessing its accuracy, as the populations of the listed countries only total about half a billion. Nonetheless, it's likely that many Social Security numbers have been compromised.
Given the widespread impact of this breach, everyone is urged to closely monitor their financial and online identities. An effective measure is to freeze your credit to guard against identity theft, unfreezing it only 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 exposed the personal and financial information of over 560 million customers. Hackers infiltrated the company's database in April and May, stealing sensitive details such as names, e-mails, phone numbers, and payment information. This breach highlighted significant security flaws at Ticketmaster, raising consumer concerns. Many victims reported unauthorized transactions and identity theft following the incident. Furthermore, 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. 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 wide-reaching effects on patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies, prompting many in the healthcare industry to rethink their cybersecurity strategies to prevent future attacks.
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 dating back to 2019, which appeared 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 initiated 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 do not manage millions of customers like AT&T, your business can still be targeted by cyber-attacks. It's vital to secure 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 encountered 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, e-mail addresses, payment information, and account details. The incident raised serious concerns about Dell's cybersecurity practices, prompting the company to issue a public apology and commit to strengthening its security protocols. In response to the breach, Dell faces 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 crucial steps are to freeze your credit and monitor your bank account. Websites like www.haveIbeenpwnd.com can help you determine if your e-mail has been compromised in a breach.
What Does This Mean For Your Business?
While these breaches affected major companies, small to midsize businesses are not exempt from risk. In fact, SMBs are increasingly targeted because they often lack the comprehensive 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 reputational damage.
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