The 5 Scariest Data Breaches of 2024

5 scariest data breaches 2024

It’s that eerie time of year when we embrace the spooky, the haunted, and the downright terrifying. But what’s scarier than ghosts and goblins? For businesses and individuals alike, it’s data breaches. In 2024, several major breaches left a trail of chaos, with millions impacted by exposed sensitive data. Let’s explore the five most frightening data breaches of the year and the horrors they unleashed.

#1 AT&T

In July 2024, AT&T revealed a massive data breach that impacted nearly 110 million customers. The breach was caused by poor security on a third-party cloud platform, Snowflake, allowing hackers to download sensitive customer data.

Information such as phone numbers, call duration, location data, and even cell site IDs were stolen. While no names were compromised, attackers could still identify individuals using online tools.

The lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA) on Snowflake’s systems left millions vulnerable to privacy risks. Despite efforts to improve security, AT&T’s breach exposed the real dangers of inadequate third-party protection.

#2 Ticketmaster

In May 2024, Ticketmaster faced another public relations disaster, this time due to a data breach that compromised users’ personal information. ShinyHunters, a notorious hacking group, exploited weak security on Ticketmaster’s third-party cloud storage.

The hackers exfiltrated sensitive data, including names, emails, and payment information. Though official reports claimed fewer than 1,000 users were affected, hackers boasted of having data from 560 million customers. Some of this data was sold on the dark web for $500,000.

Once again, the absence of MFA made this breach possible, proving that even tech giants can fall victim to basic security oversights.

#3 National Public Data

In early 2024, National Public Data, a background check company, disclosed one of the largest breaches in history. Over 2.7 billion personal records were leaked onto the dark web, impacting nearly 170 million people.

Much of the data came from public sources, but the breach also exposed sensitive background check details. Hackers tried to sell the data for $3.5 million, but some of it was later released for free on hacking forums.

Lax security around the company’s data collection process made it easy for cybercriminals to access their systems, creating a nightmare for those affected.

#4 Change Healthcare

In February 2024, Change Healthcare, a major health payment processing company, was hit by a ransomware attack from the ALPHV/BlackCat group. The attack caused widespread disruption, leaving hospitals and doctors’ offices with a backlog of unpaid claims.

Despite paying a $22 million ransom, millions of patients’ sensitive health data ended up on the dark web. The breach highlighted vulnerabilities in outdated systems, as Change Healthcare had been slow to implement MFA.

To make matters worse, a second ransomware group attacked after the company’s initial recovery, further deepening the chaos.

#5 CDK Global

In June 2024, CDK Global, a software provider for car dealerships, suffered a breach that halted operations at nearly 15,000 dealerships across the U.S. and Canada. Attackers likely gained access through phishing campaigns, stealing sensitive data like Social Security numbers, bank accounts, and credit card information.

As if one attack wasn’t enough, CDK Global was hit by a second breach during recovery. Without proper backups and redundancies, the breach was especially devastating, causing dealerships to lose an estimated $605 million in just two weeks.

The Evil Lurking Behind the Breaches

While these five data breaches impacted different industries, they share a haunting common thread. The main culprits behind these breaches were:

  • Lack of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): From AT&T to Ticketmaster, the absence of MFA made it easy for attackers to gain access to sensitive data without much resistance.
  • Outdated Systems: Change Healthcare’s reliance on outdated technologies was a ticking time bomb, and once cybercriminals found a way in, the damage was enormous.
  • Phishing and Human Error: In cases like CDK Global, employees were tricked into giving away credentials through phishing emails, highlighting how human error remains a leading cause of cyberattacks.

These breaches prove that both large corporations and small businesses are vulnerable. But basic cybersecurity practices, like implementing MFA, updating systems, and training employees on phishing prevention, can prevent similar incidents.

Don’t Wait for the Nightmare to Become Real

The scariest part of cybersecurity breaches is how preventable they often are. This Halloween season, take control of your business’s security before the ghouls of the internet find their way in.

Schedule a network security assessment with Just Solutions today and let us help you identify any gaps or “open doors” in your IT infrastructure. Together, we’ll ensure your business stays safe from the real nightmares lurking online.

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