Cybersecurity News Roundup
- cyber security - news - experts - commentary
- May 29 2016
In 2016, it is estimated that cybercrime will cost the US economy $445 billion, and no one is immune. Retail, financial institutions and the government all store sensitive information that hackers can use and sell. From stealing personal and financial data to leaking sensitive information, here are some of the most well known security breaches of the past few years.
Personal Information Up For Grabs
In 2011, Sony reported that the names, home and email addresses, as well as log in information of about 77 million of its Playstation Network users had been breached. At the time, it was one of the biggest hacks in history, and led to Sony shutting down its network for more than a week.
Sony was the victim of cybercrime again in 2014 when Sony Pictures was hacked. Confidential documents such as personal information and emails, as well as copies of unreleased Sony films were stolen. It was alleged that the North Korean Government was ultimately behind the attacks, though it was never proven.
In 2015, Health Insurer, Anthem, reported that the personal information of over 78 million people, including customers and employees was hacked, while in that same year, clients of the online married dating site Ashley Madison, were in for a not-so-nice surprise. Hackers gained access to millions of its customers, and the group responsible leaked more than 25 gigabytes of company data leaving many searching for explanations.
Safeguard That Credit Card
Though stealing personal information can make for a lucrative grab, financial data can be a bigger draw. Over 83 million JPMorgan Chase accounts were compromised in 2014 when hackers got into the company’s system. Luckily, according to the company, no financial data was taken.
2013’s Target hack netted the perpetrators information from an estimated 70 million of the store’s customers, including names and credit and debit card information, while Home Depot was the victim of a similar attack in 2014 that affected approximately 53 million customers. Credit and debit card information was taken along with email addresses. Goodwill Industries, Subway, Visa and MasterCard have also all been on the wrong side of cyberspace in the past.
Government Hacks
Government agencies are also a big target for hackers, and in March of this year, thieves managed to gain access to the Philippine electoral commission’s database. More than 50 million Filipinos’ personal information, including 15.8 million fingerprints and passport numbers were taken, making it the largest government data breach in history.
The US government has had its fair share of cybercrime as well. In 2014, The US Office of Personnel Management was breached, and 20 million former and current federal workers had their information compromised, including background data, social security numbers and fingerprints. The White House network and the US Postal Service have also been among other US government breaches.
This $445 billion industry doesn’t show signs of slowing down either, leaving companies and government agencies with the big job of keeping our information safe. Consumers can help keep their data safe as well by taking advantage of credit monitoring, being aware of phishing schemes, and consistently changing their passwords. This battle can be won, but only if everyone does their part.