November 04, 2024
This year has been particularly active for cybercriminals, with significant data breaches making headlines and costing companies millions. Industries ranging from healthcare to project management platforms have been affected, highlighting that no sector is immune to these risks. But what implications do these breaches have for small to midsize businesses? The vulnerabilities are similar, and failing to address them can lead to disastrous consequences.
Let's review five of the most impactful breaches of 2024 so far and explore how your business can stay protected.
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. The stolen data includes sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and addresses. Portions of this data have appeared on the dark web, although experts are still assessing its accuracy, as the combined populations of the countries listed total only about half a billion. Nonetheless, it is likely that many Social Security numbers have been compromised.
Given the scale of this breach, everyone is encouraged to closely monitor their financial and online identities. Freezing your credit is a practical step to protect against identity theft, and it can be temporarily lifted 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 accessed the company's database in April and May, stealing sensitive details such as names, e-mails, phone numbers, and payment information. This breach revealed significant security flaws at Ticketmaster, causing concern among consumers. Many victims reported unauthorized transactions and identity theft following the incident. Additionally, this breach exacerbated 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 individuals. 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 sector to reevaluate 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 significant 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 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 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. It's essential to protect your network by implementing strong security measures, training employees on password and phishing prevention, and maintaining a proactive cybersecurity strategy.
5. Dell
In May, Dell experienced 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 significant concerns about Dell's cybersecurity practices, prompting the company to issue a public apology and commit to enhancing its security protocols. Following 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 actions are to freeze your credit and monitor your bank accounts. Websites like www.haveIbeenpwnd.com can help you determine if your e-mail has been exposed 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 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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If these stories have you thinking about your own vulnerabilities,
that's a good thing. The best defense is a proactive one. We're offering a FREE
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