November 04, 2024
This year has been a whirlwind for cybercriminals, with major data breaches making headlines and costing companies millions. From healthcare giants to project management platforms, no industry is safe from these threats. But what do these breaches mean for small to midsize businesses? You face the same vulnerabilities, and ignoring them can have disastrous consequences.
Let's review five of the most significant 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 data includes sensitive information like Social Security numbers and addresses. Portions of this data have been leaked on the dark web, though experts are still assessing its accuracy, as the combined populations of the countries listed total only about half a billion. Nonetheless, it's likely that many Social Security numbers have been compromised.
Given the scale of this breach, everyone should closely monitor their financial and online identities and take immediate action. A practical step is to freeze your credit to guard against identity theft, unfreezing it 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 like names, emails, phone numbers, and payment information. This breach highlighted significant security flaws at Ticketmaster, alarming consumers. Many victims reported unauthorized transactions and identity theft following the incident. Additionally, this breach compounded the legal challenges 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 wide-ranging effects on patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies, prompting many in the healthcare industry 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 like 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 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.
While you may not manage millions of customers like AT&T, your business 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 an active cybersecurity strategy.
5. Dell
In May, Dell faced 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 monitor your bank account. Websites like www.haveIbeenpwnd.com can help you check if your email has been compromised in a breach.
What Does This Mean For Your Business?
While these breaches impacted major corporations, small to midsize businesses aren't exempt from cyber threats. 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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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
Consultation to evaluate your network for potential risks. Our
experts will assess your system's vulnerabilities, help you patch the holes and
ensure your business is fortified against attacks.
Don't wait until you're the next headline - get your FREE Consultation today! Click here to schedule or call our office at 800-626-3223.
