November 04, 2024
This year has been particularly active for cybercriminals, with major data breaches capturing headlines and costing companies millions. From healthcare giants to project management platforms, no sector is safe from these threats. But what do these breaches signify for small to midsize businesses? The vulnerabilities are the same, and ignoring them could lead to disastrous outcomes.
Let's review five of the most notable breaches of 2024 thus far and explore how your business can safeguard itself.
1. National Public Data
A few months ago, a hacking group claimed to have stolen 2.7 billion personal records from a site specializing in background checks and public data brokerage. The stolen data includes sensitive information like Social Security numbers and addresses. Although portions of this data have surfaced on the dark web, experts are still assessing its accuracy, as the listed countries' combined populations only total around half a billion. Nonetheless, it's probable that many Social Security numbers have been compromised.
Given the extensive reach of this breach, it's crucial for everyone to vigilantly monitor their financial and online identities. A practical measure is to freeze your credit to guard against identity theft, unfreezing it only when necessary, such as for loan or credit card applications. Check if your data was exposed here!
2. Ticketmaster
A significant data breach at Ticketmaster compromised the personal and financial information of over 560 million customers. Hackers infiltrated the company's database in April and May, stealing sensitive details like names, emails, phone numbers, and payment information. This breach revealed serious security lapses at Ticketmaster, raising consumer concerns. Many victims reported unauthorized transactions and identity theft following the breach. Additionally, this incident compounded the legal troubles of 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. This breach, one of the largest in healthcare history, compromised sensitive data, including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and medical records. The incident had wide-ranging impacts on 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 breach was linked to data from as early 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 affecting 9 million users. In response, AT&T initiated an investigation to contain the malware while ensuring service continuity for current customers. The breach also exposed the company to potential class action lawsuits.
While your business may not manage millions of customers like AT&T, it is still vulnerable to 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 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, 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. Dell now faces increased regulatory scrutiny and may encounter legal challenges as more details about the breach emerge.
What Does This Mean For You Personally?
We have several blogs outlining 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 email has been exposed in a breach.
What Does This Mean For Your Business?
Although these breaches involved major companies, small to midsize businesses are not immune. In fact, SMBs are increasingly targeted because they often lack the robust security measures of larger firms. 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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