2024 has been a bad year for cybersecurity. So far, we have seen some of the worst data breaches in history. Hackers have managed to gain access to millions of records, including personal information and credit card numbers. In this blog post, we will look at the biggest data breaches of 2024. We will also discuss how you can protect yourself from these attacks. Stay safe out there!
1. In January, a data breach at Marriott International exposed the personal information of over 500 million guests
Marriott International, one of the world’s largest hotel chains, suffered a data breach in January 2024. The hackers gained access to the personal information of over 500 million guests, including credit card numbers and passport details. Marriott has since offered free credit monitoring to all affected guests.
If you have previously stayed at a Marriott hotel, it is important to check your credit report for any suspicious activity. You should also consider changing your passwords and security questions for all online accounts.
By encrypting their guest’s passport numbers and credit card information, Marriott International could have prevented these. Marriott is not the only company to suffer a data breach this year. In May, retailers such as Forever 21, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Lord & Taylor suffered data breaches that exposed the personal information of millions of customers.
2. In February, the City of Atlanta was hit with a ransomware attack that crippled many online services
When it comes to cybersecurity, it’s not just big companies that are at risk. In February, the City of Atlanta was hit with a ransomware attack that crippled many online services. The hackers demanded $51,000 in Bitcoin to decrypt the city’s files.
Fortunately, the City of Atlanta did not give in to the hackers’ demands. However, many other organizations have not been so lucky. Ransomware attacks have become increasingly common and are only getting more sophisticated.
If you are a victim of a ransomware attack, it is important to contact law enforcement immediately. Please do not give in to the hackers’ demands, as this will only encourage them to target other victims.
Ransomware attacks can be devastating for any organization. Be sure to have a robust backup system in place so that you can quickly recover your files in the event of an attack.
3. In February, a hacker group known as “Dark Overlord” leaked sensitive data from several major U.S. companies, including Boeing, insurer Aetna, and law firm Greenberg Traurig
In February, a hacker group known as “Dark Overlord” leaked sensitive data from several major U.S. companies, including Boeing, insurer Aetna, and law firm Greenberg Traurig. The leaked data included social security numbers, financial records, and confidential business documents. Dark Overlord claims to have hacked into these companies’ systems using “spear-phishing” attacks, which involve sending targeted emails to employees to gain access to corporate networks.
In a statement, Dark Overlord said it would continue releasing additional documents unless its financial demands were met. The incident highlights companies’ need to protect their data, particularly when working with third-party vendors. While the full extent of the data leak is unknown, it is clear that sensitive information has fallen into the wrong hands and could be used to blackmail or otherwise exploit the affected companies.
This is not the first time that Dark Overlord has leaked sensitive data; in 2016, the group released medical records from a U.S. hospital and personal information from Oprah Winfrey’s production company. The February leak is just the latest example of the growing problem of corporate cyber-security breaches. As more and more businesses store sensitive data electronically, they become increasingly vulnerable to attacks by hackers looking to exploit this information for financial gain. To protect themselves from such attacks, companies must invest in strong cyber-security measures, such as employee training on spot spear-phishing attempts and multi-factor authentication for all corporate accounts.
4. On May 12, 2024, the Behavioral Health Partners of Metrowest (BHPM) was hit by a cyberattack
The attackers were able to gain access to the organization’s confidential client data, including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and treatment information. In addition to causing extensive damage to BHPM’s IT infrastructure, the attack caused a major disruption to the organization’s operations and profoundly impacted its clients. While it is still too early to know the full extent of the damage, it is clear that this incident will have a lasting impact on BHPM and its clients. As the organization works to recover from this attack, it will need to take steps to ensure that its confidential client data is better protected in the future.
BHPM could have avoided this by implementing better security measures, such as two-factor authentication and data encryption. However, even the most well-protected systems can fall victim to cyberattacks. This is why it is so important for organizations to have a robust incident response plan to quickly and effectively respond to such attacks.
5. On May 8, 2024, the popular NFT marketplace OpenSea was hacked, with over $6 million in crypto assets stolen
The hackers accessed the Discord server used by OpenSea staff and were able to gain control of the OpenSea Twitter account. They then used these platforms to post fake announcements about new partnerships and giveaways. These Announcements lured users to a fake website where they were asked to input their private key information. Once the hackers had access to these keys, they could transfer the funds to their wallets. OpenSea has since taken down their Discord server and reset all user passwords, but the damage has been done. This hack is a major blow to the credibility of NFTs as a secure investment, and we will likely see similar attacks in the future.
To protect themselves from such attacks, NFT marketplaces must implement strong security measures, such as two-factor authentication and data encryption. They also need to be more transparent with their users about the risks involved in investing in NFTs.
6. On May 15, 2024, the personal information of over 100 million people was leaked in a data breach at Experian
The breached data included names, addresses, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers. This is one of the largest data breaches ever recorded, and it has had a profound impact on those who are affected. Many of these people are now at risk of identity theft and fraud and will need to take steps to protect themselves.
The breach was discovered by a security researcher who noticed that the Experian website was vulnerable to an attack known as an SQL injection. The researcher notified Experian of the issue, but it was too late by that time. The damage had already been done. Experian has not released any information about how the breach occurred or how it plans to prevent future breaches. This incident highlights the importance of data security and the need for companies to take measures to protect their customers’ information. Experian is currently facing multiple lawsuits due to the breach, and this incident will have a lasting impact on the company.
7. On May 22, 2024, the social media platform Twitter was hacked, and over 32 million user accounts were compromised
Over 32 million user accounts were compromised, and sensitive information like addresses and phone numbers leaked. The hackers also gained access to direct messages, which they then used to spread malware and phishing scams. In the wake of the attack, Twitter took measures to improve its security, including two-factor authentication and a new password hashing algorithm. However, the damage was already done, and many users decided to delete their accounts or take a break from the platform. The Twitter hack was a wake-up call for social media companies, who now face increased pressure to protect their users’ data. It also highlights the importance of good cyber security practices for everyone who uses the internet.
These are just a few cybersecurity breaches that have occurred this year. As we become increasingly reliant on digital technologies, we must take steps to protect our data. by implementing strong security measures and partnering with an IT security firm like MyTek and being aware of the risks involved in using these technologies. Otherwise, we leave ourselves open to attack by hackers looking to exploit our vulnerabilities for their gain.