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Famous Data Breaches

Data breaches have been a major concern in the last few years, as they can lead to serious harm to the private information of users. Some of the most famous data breaches, such as the ones experienced by eBay, Home Depot, Yahoo, and Equifax, have been widely reported, and have served as a stark reminder of how easily user data can be accessed. These data breaches have highlighted the risk of not properly protecting sensitive data, making it essential to ensure your data is secure by using encryption techniques and other cyber security measures.

1. Data Breaches – The Dark Side of the Net

Data breaches are on the rise – what began as a trickle of malicious attacks on digital systems in the 1990s has become a torrent, with hackers targeting companies, governments, and private citizens for profit, espionage, and political gain. As individuals, we can no longer take the security of our personal information for granted. Here’s what you need to know

  • They Can Be Devastating For Individuals: Breaching a system’s defenses can result in stolen data, efforts to extort victims or disrupt services, and worse, with personal information at great risk.
  • The Causes Are Ever-Evolving: Some data breaches are the result of hackers breaking into systems, while other breaches are due to insecure practices on the part of companies and organizations. In both cases, the impact on individuals can be severe.
  • It’s Not Just About Credit Cards: While identity theft is a common consequence of a data breach, it’s not the only one. From healthcare to banking, friendship networks to online purchases, data breaches are putting all facets of our lives at risk.

The threat of data breaches is real and growing, and you can’t assume you’re safe. Knowing what to look for and understanding how to properly protect yourself is more important than ever in today’s digital age. Being aware of the risks can help keep your personal information safe, and your peace of mind intact.

2. Notable Data Breaches – Past and Present

2020 Equifax Breach – In 2020, a massive data breach occurred on Equifax, one of the three largest credit bureaus in the U.S. Exposed were the personal data of 147 million people, including names, birthdays, social security numbers, addresses and drivers license numbers. It is one of the largest data breaches of its kind in history. Credit card and tax information were not part of the breach.

Target Breach of 2013 – In 2013, Target, one of America’s biggest retailers, experienced a data breach that affected up to 70 million customers. Following a data breach, much of the information taken was used to create counterfeit credit cards, which were used to buy high-priced goods at Target stores.

  • Impacted data included names, addresses, phone numbers and email, credit and debit card numbers, and encrypted PIN numbers.
  • It is estimated that hackers obtained between $60 million and $800 million in Target’s payment card data.
  • Target agreed to settlement of $39.4 million relating to the breaches.

3. Famous Data Breaches You Should Know About

Equifax – In 2017, the credit reporting giant experienced one of the largest data breaches to date. Hackers were able to breach Equifax’s system and gain access to over 145 million United States customers’ personal information like names, social security numbers and home addresses. This data breach caused severe reputational and economic damage to the company.

Yahoo! – In 2016, the popular search engine suffered a data breach that compromised over 500 million user accounts. Hackers were able to access usernames, passwords, email addresses and telephone numbers of Yahoo!’s customers. Also, the security questions and answers designed to protect user accounts were exposed. This breach resulted in an $80 million settlement from Yahoo! to its customers impacted by the incident.

Target – In 2013, the retail giant experienced a data breach that impacted over 41 million customers. Hackers were able to gain access to Target’s payment systems, which yielded names, credit card numbers, expiration dates, and three-digit security codes of its customers. This breach caused a drop in Target’s profits for that year and likely cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars.

4. Taking Action Against Data Breaches – Protected Your Data Now!

Create an IT Security Policy

Having a well-defined IT security policy is essential to protect your data from breaches. It should cover the management of passwords, access rights, and the secure disposal of data. Make sure to get your policy agreed upon and documented by all personnel and reviewed periodically.

Run Regular Security Audits and Mock Attacks

Nobody is immune to cyber-attacks. Having regular security audits and mock attacks can help you identify potential threats and weaknesses in your security system. This is especially important if the nature of your business involves handling sensitive data such as credit cards and customer information. These tests should be done routinely to keep your system secure and up-to-date.

Stay Up-to-Date with Security Solutions

Technology is changing rapidly, and security solutions must keep up with the pace. Installing the latest hardware and software patches as soon as they are released, using a secure firewall, and configuring access control systems are some of the ways to stay ahead of data breaches.

Protect Internet Activity

Take steps to protect your data online by regularly scanning your computer for viruses and malware, using a VPN for secure remote access, and using email encryption to protect email communication.

Backup Your Data

Regularly backing up your data allows you to quickly restore files if they are ever compromised or lost. It’s always good to have multiple backups stored on separate systems, as this makes it harder for attackers to gain access to the data.

Q&A

Q: What is a data breach?
A: A data breach is when someone accesses or steals information without permission. It usually happens when a hacker breaks into a computer system.

Q: What are some famous data breaches?
A: Some famous data breaches include the Equifax breach in 2017, Yahoo’s data breach in 2013, and Target’s breach in 2013.

Q: What are the risks of a data breach?
A: A data breach can expose confidential and/or sensitive information, leading to identity theft, financial losses, and other risks. After reviewing the history of most notable breaches, it is evident that our personal data isn’t only vulnerable to external attackers but internal mismanagement as well. It’s essential to have a plan in place to protect digital identities and information. LogMeOnce provides users an all-in-one identity security solution, with Identity Theft Protection and Dark Web Monitoring, to guarantee users the utmost protection from data breaches. Visit LogMeOnce.com to create a FREE account and take a crucial step in safeguarding against famous data breaches.

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