The Top 5 Data Breaches of 2024
What You Need to Know
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This year has been a busy one for cybercriminals, with major breaches hitting industries across the board. Healthcare providers, tech companies, and more have suffered massive data leaks. What does this mean for small to midsize businesses? The vulnerabilities are the same, and the consequences can be just as devastating.
Let’s look at five of the biggest breaches of 2024 so far and what you can do to protect your business.
Earlier this year, hackers stole 2.7 billion personal records from a background-checking site. The data includes sensitive information like Social Security numbers and addresses. While some data is still being verified, there’s no question that many Social Security numbers were compromised.
This breach serves as a reminder to stay on top of your financial security. Freezing your credit is a smart step to prevent identity theft. You can also check if you’ve been exposed using services like HaveIBeenPwned.com.
A breach at Ticketmaster exposed the personal and financial details of over 560 million customers. Hackers gained access to names, emails, phone numbers, and payment information. Following the breach, many victims reported unauthorized transactions and identity theft.
If you’re a Ticketmaster user, check your accounts for suspicious activity and update your passwords.
In February, Change Healthcare fell victim to a ransomware attack that exposed the data of 145 million people. Names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and medical records were all compromised.
This breach was a wake-up call for the healthcare industry. If your business handles sensitive data, it’s a reminder that cybersecurity is not optional.
In March, AT&T faced a breach affecting 73 million current and former customers. Sensitive data, including Social Security numbers and account details, was exposed. This breach involved data dating back to 2019 that ended up on the dark web.
While you may not handle millions of customers, your business is still a target. Robust cybersecurity measures are crucial, no matter your size.
Dell experienced a breach in May when a hacker used a brute-force attack to infiltrate a reseller’s client portal, exposing 49 million records. Customer names, payment information, and account details were compromised. Dell is now under heavy scrutiny, with legal challenges likely on the horizon.
If Dell can be breached, so can you. Taking proactive steps to secure your network can make all the difference.
If you suspect you’ve been impacted by a data breach, take immediate action. Freeze your credit, monitor your bank accounts, and visit sites like HaveIBeenPwned to check if your email was exposed.
Small and midsize businesses are attractive targets for hackers because they often have weaker security systems. A breach could cost you in lost data, downtime, and damage to your reputation.
The best defense is prevention. Start by training your employees, securing your network, and keeping your cybersecurity strategy updated.
Concerned about your business’s vulnerabilities? We’re offering a FREE Security Risk Assessment for qualified companies to help you identify potential risks. Our experts will evaluate your system, patch vulnerabilities, and strengthen your defenses.
Don’t wait until you’re the next headline – schedule your FREE Security Risk Assessment today! Click here or call us at 505-792-2375.