November 04, 2024
This year has been a whirlwind for cybercriminals, with several high-profile data breaches capturing attention and costing businesses millions. From healthcare behemoths to project management platforms, no industry is immune to these threats. But what implications do these breaches hold for small to midsize businesses? The same vulnerabilities are present, and failing to address them can lead to disastrous outcomes.
Let's review five of the most significant breaches of 2024 so far and explore how your business can safeguard itself.
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. Some of this data has surfaced on the dark web, although experts are still assessing its authenticity, as the total population of the listed countries is only about half a billion. Nonetheless, it's likely that many Social Security numbers have been compromised.
Given the wide impact of this breach, everyone is urged to closely monitor their financial and online identities. A practical measure is freezing your credit to prevent identity theft, unfreezing it only when necessary for activities like applying for loans or credit cards. Check here to see if you were affected!
2. Ticketmaster
A major data breach at Ticketmaster exposed the personal and financial details of over 560 million customers. Hackers infiltrated the company's database during April and May, accessing sensitive information such as names, emails, phone numbers, and payment details. This breach highlighted significant security flaws at Ticketmaster, leading to consumer concerns. Many victims reported unauthorized transactions and identity theft following the breach. Additionally, this incident compounded the legal challenges facing Ticketmaster's parent company, Live Nation, which was already embroiled in a lawsuit from 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 widespread repercussions for patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies, prompting the healthcare sector to reevaluate 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 launched 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 you don't manage millions of customers like AT&T, your business is still vulnerable to 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 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, prompting the company to issue a public apology and commit to improving its security protocols. As a result of the breach, Dell is under increased regulatory scrutiny and may face legal challenges as more information about the impact emerges.
What Does This Mean For You Personally?
We offer several blogs on steps to take if you're affected by a data breach, but the most crucial actions are freezing your credit and monitoring your bank account. Websites like www.haveIbeenpwnd.com can help you determine if your email has been compromised in a breach.
What Does This Mean For Your Business?
While these breaches occurred at major corporations, small to midsize businesses are not exempt from such threats. In fact, SMBs are increasingly targeted because they often lack the robust security measures that larger companies have in place. 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
Discovery Call 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 Discovery Call today! Click here to schedule or call our office at (802) 331-1900.
