Make Sure Your Router is Secure
There’s a good reason why browsers such as Edge have incorporated notifications for compromised passwords. Unfortunately, data breaches are a reality and can severely impact individuals, such as identity theft and hacked bank accounts.
With form jacking code, cybercriminals can compromise about 4,800 websites each month. It is increasingly common to hear news of data breaches affecting large hotel chains or social media companies, putting their customers’ information at risk.
Cyberattacks can result in unauthorized access to your personal information and passwords without you even realizing it. The time frame between the breach and the infringement notification can be substantial. As a case in point, CafePress, a well-known online retailer that specializes in custom printed items, experienced a data breach.
CafePress experienced a data breach in February 2019, which exposed millions of names, addresses, security questions, and unencrypted social security numbers. However, notification to impacted consumers was delayed until the late summer. The Federal Trade Commission took action against the company due to its lack of proper security measures.
The reality is that you may be unaware of data breaches for months or even years. Unless you actively check the right websites, you may never know your information has already been compromised. While browser features that alert you of breached passwords are helpful, they only address part of the problem. What if there’s more to the breach than just your password?
It’s advisable to arm yourself with information to safeguard against potential threats. Protect yourself from the aftermath of data breaches by being aware of recent incidents. We will give you a list of these breaches, and if you have interacted with the affected companies, it’s essential to safeguard your personal information.
Recent Breaches of Personal Information That May Impact You
Microsoft Customer Data Breach
Microsoft disclosed a data breach on October 19, 2022, resulting from a misconfigured server. The breach impacted customer data, including business transaction information, potentially affecting over 65,000 entities globally.
2.5 Million Individuals Affected by Student Loan Data Breach
Did you obtain a student loan from EdFinancial and the Oklahoma Student Loan Authority (OSLA)? If so, you may be impacted. The organizations informed individuals affected by the breach through a letter in July 2022.
Your sensitive personal data, such as your social security number, email address, home address, and phone number, could have been exposed in the breach that impacted over 2.5 million loan recipients.
Possible Data Leak of 69 Million Neopets User Accounts
The online gaming site Neopets was hit by a data breach, much to the surprise of its users. An estimated 69 million accounts were affected, with leaked information including emails and passwords. The entire stolen Neopet database and a copy of the source code were even sold for a hefty $94,500.
3.7 million Medibank Australia customer’s data leaked
Medibank Australia, one of the largest health insurance providers in the country, suffered a major data breach in October 2022, affecting over 3.7 million customers. The company reported that a hacker claimed to have stolen 200GB of data, including sensitive information such as customer names, addresses, dates of birth, and Medicare numbers.
One Employee Computer Causes a Marriott Breach
In July 2022, hotel giant Marriott was hit with yet another data breach. The cause was traced back to an unsecured employee computer. Approximately 300-400 individuals had their sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, leaked.
Unfortunately, this breach is just the latest in a string of poor cybersecurity incidents for Marriott. The company has suffered three separate breaches over the past four years. These repeated incidents highlight the importance of being cautious and considering alternative payment methods, such as paying in cash or using a pre-paid card, when staying at Marriott properties.
Optus breach may have impacted 10 Million Australians
On September 22, 2022, Australian telecommunications company Optus suffered a cyber attack. The company confirmed that customers’ personal information, including names, dates of birth, phone numbers, email addresses, driver’s license numbers, passport numbers, and addresses, was potentially exposed in the breach. The exact number of affected individuals remains unknown, but Optus stated that the incident impacted anyone who had been an Optus customer since 2017.
8.2 million Current and Former Customers of Block Compromised
In April of 2022, Block, formerly known as Square, announced a data breach that occurred in December of the previous year. An unauthorized former employee accessed customer names and brokerage account numbers, and some accounts had additional stock trading information compromised. This breach affected approximately 8.2 million current and former customers.
Crypto.com Breach Nets Hackers Over $30 Million
The popularity of cryptocurrency has made it a prime target for cybercriminals. In January 2022, Crypto.com, a cryptocurrency wallet provider, experienced a breach affecting 483 users. The attackers bypassed two-factor authentication, which is typically a reliable security measure. As a result, approximately $18 million in Bitcoin and $15 million in Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies were stolen.
How Secure Are Your Passwords?
Take control of your online security by implementing password management solutions. The Qamba team can provide expert guidance on protecting your personal information from potential data breaches. Contact us to learn more about safeguarding your sensitive data.
