November 04, 2024
This year has presented significant challenges in the realm of cybercrime, with numerous high-profile data breaches capturing attention and costing companies millions. Industries ranging from healthcare to project management have been affected, underscoring that no sector is immune to these threats. But what do these breaches imply for small to midsize businesses? They face similar vulnerabilities, and neglecting these can lead to severe repercussions.
Let's examine five major breaches of 2024 so far and discuss strategies to protect your business.
1. National Public Data
A hacking group recently claimed to have stolen 2.7 billion personal records from a site specializing in background checks and public data brokering. The compromised data includes sensitive details like Social Security numbers and addresses. Though portions have been released on the dark web, experts are still verifying its accuracy since the affected countries' combined populations are only about half a billion. It's likely, however, that many Social Security numbers have been compromised.
Due to the breach's extensive impact, everyone should immediately monitor their financial and online identities. A practical measure is to freeze your credit to prevent identity theft, unfreezing it only when necessary for activities like applying for loans or credit cards. Check if you were affected here!
2. Ticketmaster
A significant data breach at Ticketmaster exposed the personal and financial details of over 560 million customers. Hackers accessed the company's database in April and May, stealing sensitive information such as names, emails, phone numbers, and payment details. This breach revealed substantial security weaknesses at Ticketmaster, raising consumer concerns. Many victims reported unauthorized transactions and identity theft following the incident. Additionally, this breach exacerbated legal issues for 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 was hit by 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 consequences for patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies, prompting many in the healthcare industry to reevaluate their cybersecurity strategies to prevent future attacks.
4. AT&T
In March, AT&T suffered a data breach that compromised the personal information of about 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 emerged 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 is still susceptible to cyber-attacks. It's essential to protect your network by implementing robust security measures, training employees on password and phishing prevention, and maintaining an active cybersecurity strategy.
5. Dell
In May, Dell experienced a security breach when a hacker known as Menelik used a brute-force attack to access 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 what to do if you're affected by a data breach, but the most crucial action is to freeze your credit and monitor your bank account. Websites like www.haveIbeenpwnd.com can tell you if your email has been exposed in a breach.
What Does This Mean For Your Business?
While these breaches occurred at major companies, small to midsize businesses are not immune to 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 couldn't be higher: 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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experts will assess your system's vulnerabilities, help you patch the holes and
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