Hackers can use different techniques and methods to steal your passwords. One way they can use your stolen personal data is called credential stuffing. Read on to learn more about what credential stuffing entails and how you can help protect yourself. Credential Stuffing Defined Credential stuffing is a type of security breach in which hackers [...]
Shoulder surfing is a type of identity theft practice where someone tries to steal confidential information by spying over their target's shoulder. The objective of shoulder surfing is to steal sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers or personal identification numbers (PINs) that can later be used to access accounts for financial gain.
Check scams are staging a comeback as criminals continue to seize on the confusion the COVID-19 pandemic has created in people’s lives and finances. Recently, Wells Fargo sent a message to bank customers warning them to be on the lookout for check scammers. One age group in particular – the 18 to 24 group – [...]
This past year, most Americans were focused on the pandemic and dealing with the economic impact and disruptions to their daily life. At the same time, criminals took advantage of new economic programs, a distracted public and an increase in online activity to commit fraud in record numbers. The information released in the FBI 2020 [...]
The recent Federal Bureau of Investigations Internet Crime Report shows that cybercrime has spiked, leaving hundreds of thousands of victims and costing more than $4 billion. The FBI received a record number of reports last year totaling 791,790, a 69% growth from 2019. Moreover, losses due to internet crime increased by $700 million, growing from [...]
When your Social Security card is stolen, it can be a major cause for concern. The primary concern with a stolen Social Security card is identity theft. With just your Social Security number, identity thieves can wreak havoc in your name, negatively impacting your credit, finances and even commit crimes in your name. As soon [...]
The deep web and dark web both aren't listed by search engines such as Google and Yahoo, but the dark web can contain illegal activity.
Dark web monitoring is a service that scans the dark web for signs that your personal information is being used fraudulently. While the dark web serves many legitimate functions, the anonymity of it also attracts people who are buying and selling illegal goods and services – including stolen personal information. With so many data breaches [...]
COVID-19 brought on many unexpected consequences, including what some are calling the cyber pandemic. Cybersecurity threats soared to all new highs last year and continue to increase as many professionals move to remote work and Americans increase their online presence in an attempt to social distance. A New Threat Now, cybercriminals have their eye on [...]
On average there are three data breaches a day, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. So, that means your personal information might be at risk. If you’ve been notified you have been compromised in a data breach or suspect your personal information has been exposed, here are some concrete steps you can take to [...]
When an identity thief has purchased your personal information from a data breach, they can use it for all manner of malicious purposes. One common use is tax fraud. This means a criminal might have purchased your bank account details and tax documents online and then have authenticated access to your bank account. Then the [...]
If you’re still under the impression that hacking is restricted to hoodie-wearing individuals in darkened rooms, then you might be vastly underestimating the scale of the data breach problem. Last year alone more than 300 million consumers were impacted by data breaches, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. Let’s break down how cybercriminals [...]
You may have noticed that nestled in with baby announcements, social-distancing birthday photos and dog snaps, social media posts are now also featuring people celebrating getting their COVID-19 vaccinations. It’s natural that after a year of living under pandemic restrictions people are eager to share their experiences with the shot. One thing you should avoid [...]
Identity theft insurance is a type of insurance policy that can help victims recover from losses caused by identity theft. It may be offered as a standalone policy, or as a benefit with other types of insurance or identity protection plans. Not all identity theft insurance policies offer the same level of coverage. If you’re [...]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are trying online dating for the first time. Unfortunately, scammers are looking to take advantage of that. Especially during Valentine’s Day and the season of love, singles looking to make that special love connection via an online dating app need to be particularly aware of online romance scams. MatchGroup, [...]
Every year, tax season presents a seasonal opportunity for criminals seeking monetary gain from identity theft. There are many ways that scammers may try to obtain personal information, but the end goal is to file a falsified tax return in the taxpayer’s name and claim a tax refund. The scheme may not be discovered until [...]
News agencies are reporting a possible second data breach using flaws in the SolarWinds software, this time with suspected Chinese hackers infiltrating U.S. payroll agency systems. Sources have disclosed another cybersecurity breach in the SolarWinds software that took place last year, affecting the National Finance Center, a federal payroll agency. Officials fear the breach might [...]
Life is hectic and it’s easy to miss details sometimes, even when that detail happens to be a bill coming due. Making your payments on time can be tough when you’re having financial troubles or simply juggling a lot of responsibilities. It’s important to pay your bills on time to protect your credit health. Late [...]
During the coronavirus pandemic, there’s been a direct correlation with the rise of online activity, data breaches and identity theft. As many Americans' personally identifiable information goes digital, it’s becoming increasingly vulnerable to hacks and theft by cybercriminals who profit from access to online accounts. This past year, in particular, internet services have experienced anywhere [...]
The news cycle has been dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the presidential election, nationwide protests and a whole lot more. With all that transpired over the last few months, and even with the SolarWinds cyberattack making headlines, it might be easy to forget that data breaches and hacks continue to expose the personal information of [...]
As the COVID-19 vaccine continues to become available to more people, be aware of potential scams related to the vaccine. It’s important to stay vigilant to certain warning signs that can help you avoid being scammed. Two vaccines to prevent coronavirus infections have now been granted authorization for emergency use. Every day thousands of more [...]
Identity theft has been around for a long time, and it continues to evolve and adapt with the times. With the variety of scams out there, it’s easy to get bogged down in rumors and half-truths. When it comes to identity theft, you need to avoid believing misinformation and spreading it to others. Here are [...]
The start of a new year is a great time to reassess your financial health and implement habits that help positively impact your credit profile. Monitoring your credit report and identity is the best place to start your financial resolutions since it can have a ripple effect in other aspects of your life as the [...]
This past year has been unlike any other. As we start a hopefully better 2021, we are taking a look back at the most searched and visited topics on the IdentityIQ blog during 2020. This list clearly shows that consumers are concerned about protecting their identity; paying down debt; learning how credit card debt impacts [...]
Cybersecurity experts are still trying to determine the scale of damage wrought by a recent cyberattack using SolarWinds software on the U.S. government and Fortune 500 companies. The attack aimed at the U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments as well as international companies continued for months until it was discovered by FireEye, a cybersecurity company that [...]
Every day, criminals scour the internet for personal information they can use to commit fraud and identity theft. In this digital age, individuals need to take steps to protect their privacy and information from fraudsters. This is as true for children as it is for adults, as kids can be victims of identity theft well [...]
The FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are investigating a cyberattack by Russian-linked hackers that have infiltrated the U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments. The cyberespionage campaign is being described at one of the largest hacks against U.S. government agencies in the last five years. Sources close to the investigation are reporting Russia is behind [...]
To use a credit card for establishing credit, you need to have at least one open card that can be reported to the credit bureaus. But beyond that, there’s no definitive number of cards you need to have in your wallet for good credit. While your credit cards directly impact your credit, the number of [...]
Home Depot officials have agreed to a $17.5 million settlement for a 2014 data breach that exposed the information of 40 million customers. The home improvement company reached the agreement with the attorney generals of 46 states and the District of Columbia. The settlement stems from a 2014 data breach where hackers were able to [...]
As unemployment numbers continue to climb, so do fake employer scams that are preying on those searching for work. In fact, there have been triple-digit increases in fake employer scams that aim to gain access to personal and financial information during the COVID-19 pandemic. Online human resources schemes where criminals pose as potential employers have [...]
Credit card fraud and identity theft are exploding as thieves prey on consumers’ COVID-19 pandemic spending habits and desire for contactless shopping. With the holidays approaching, you need to be extra vigilant. According to the Federal Trade Commission, credit card fraud has been one of the fastest-growing forms of identity theft. Reports of credit card [...]
The holidays no doubt can offer many of us some respite from this chaotic year. However, the season also creates an opportunistic time for cybercriminals to take advantage of your good cheer and deliver some real damage to your personal finance credentials. Pandemic shopping habits mean more of us are going to be online during [...]
Work-from-home jobs have always been a target of scammers. Now, amid the COVID-19 crisis, these jobs have become even larger targets. Complaints about scams for certain business and job-related opportunities have spiked this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau (BBB). This uptick comes as the United States [...]
According to the Federal Reserve, synthetic identity theft is one of the fastest growing forms of identity theft in the country. Synthetic identity theft occurs when a criminal uses a combination of real and falsified data to create a fictional identity for financial gain and other fraud. Children are particularly appealing victims for synthetic identity [...]
A malware attack is suspected in a recent Barnes & Noble data breach that exposed customer information. The attack also led to some customers not being able to access their e-reader Nook libraries and the temporary shutdown of cash registers at the bookstores’ physical locations. Barnes & Noble officials said the cyberattack took place earlier [...]
No one is completely safe from identity theft – not even after they die. In a form of identity theft known as “ghosting”, criminals can use a deceased person’s personal information to file false tax returns, claim Social Security benefits, open fraudulent loans and credit cards and more. Millions of deceased Americans have their identity [...]
A recent report by cybersecurity company GreatHorn found that companies experience an average of 1,185 phishing attacks every month. Even though the success rate of these phishing attacks is at a deceivingly low 6%, it means 71 of those are still successful and in need of remediation. The report found that 15% of organizations are [...]
E-commerce company Shopify recently disclosed the discovery of a data breach that affected customer data and transaction details for fewer than 200 merchants who use their platform. Shopify has reported the data breach to law enforcement including the FBI and other international agencies. According to the statement, two rogue employees on the customer support team [...]
Every day we use our personal information for access to online accounts, smart devices and other resources. This happens so frequently that the sensitivity of credential information can be taken for granted. A recent study by password management company LastPass found that a staggering 61 percent of business users reuse the same passwords for multiple [...]
Rise of the Gaming Industry and the Free-to-Play Model Over the past decade, the gaming industry has seen the rise of a new trend: the free-to-play (F2P) business model. While games released under this model require no upfront cost to play, game developers are making money by giving gamers the option of making in-game purchases [...]
A ransomware attack has exposed the commercial and personal employee data of Artech Information Systems, one of the largest IT staffing agencies in the nation. The data breach occurred Jan. 5 – 8 after a bad actor gained access to company servers through an employee user account. Company officials said Social Security numbers, medical information, [...]
If this year has taught us anything, it’s the importance of being flexible enough to adapt to new environments. The COVID-19 outbreak has brought about an economic downturn that has forced more than 57 million Americans to apply for unemployment insurance. Learning how to confidently navigate through this financial uncertainty is essential. The first step [...]
A former Uber executive has been charged with covering up a data breach affecting 57 million app users and drivers. Joe Sullivan, Uber’s former chief security officer, is facing obstruction of justice and other charges stemming from a 2016 data breach. The breach occurred when two men hacked a third-party server to steal the personal [...]
Medical records are a prime target for cybercriminals, and data breaches are a frequent occurrence in the health care industry. These records are valuable because they may contain a large variety of personal information, including your name, address, insurance information, Social Security number (SSN) and medical history. Medical records can be used to commit many [...]
The COVID-19 outbreak has brought a lot of uncertainty into the lives of many Americans. Over the span of just a few months, the number of unemployed individuals rose by 14 million. In response, many people have turned to the “gig economy” for supplemental income. The Labor Market The gig economy refers to the share [...]
Scammers are now targeting Google and Amazon customers the most frequently with brand phishing attacks, according to a new report. A recent study by security company Check Point found that Google and Amazon customers tie for the most phishing attempts aiming to steal their personal information at 13% of total attacks during the second quarter [...]
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act temporarily placed federal student loans in forbearance, pausing payments and interest accrual through Sept. 30 of this year. Without further federal intervention, payments resume in a few short months. While it’s possible the forbearance might be extended, borrowers should start preparing to resume payments this October. If [...]
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the unemployment rate to surge. As those facing unemployment worry about their loss of income, finding a new job and even unemployment scams, they also may have concerns on how unemployment affects their credit. Luckily, your current employment status does not appear on your credit report or directly affect your [...]
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently issued a warning on a popular new cryptocurrency scam that tricks victims into sending money. The FTC warning comes after high-profile celebrities’ and national leaders’ Twitter accounts were hacked earlier this month with scammers sending out fake tweets telling followers to send money using the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Victims ranged [...]
This fall, college students are returning to school or logging on from a distance during a time of deep economic insecurity. While the coronavirus pandemic may have devastated some job opportunities, there are still ways for college students to work on establishing financial independence before they graduate. Having a strong credit history can help students [...]
An MGM Resorts data breach that exposed the personal information of hotel guests, including high-profile celebrities and business leaders, has affected millions more guests than originally thought, according to new reports. The MGM Resorts data breach was first reported early last year with more than 10.6 million guests affected. However, this month, a hacker placed [...]
As headlines focus on coronavirus-related scams, the related healthcare industry also continues to be a top target for cybercriminals. This year alone more than 3 million patient records have been exposed. Here are the top-five healthcare data breaches so far this year. 1. Health Share of Oregon More than 654,000 patients had their records breached [...]
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, a record 32 million adult Americans lived with their parents or grandparents as of April. The pandemic is one likely culprit, but other factors – including housing costs and high student debt – have contributed to this phenomenon for years. Moving back in with your parents may [...]
There’s no surprise that COVID-19 has impacted people and businesses in all kinds of negative ways within the past couple of months. Unemployment rates have risen quickly, and many businesses have had to close due to inactivity. To help those looking for additional income, here is a list of survey-taking jobs that are easy to [...]
How expensive is a data breach for a big company? A recent report by Audit Analytics provides insight to this question in a study that sampled 639 cybersecurity breach incidents at public companies in the last nine years. The report, “Trends in Cybersecurity Breach Disclosures,” found the cost of a data breach directly relates to the life cycle of an incident and on the sensitivity of the compromised customer information. According to the study, the longer the life [...]
The coronavirus pandemic has canceled travel plans across the globe, and it’s likely to disrupt normal travel for some time. For the time being, there’s a good chance your vacation plans are canceled, and you’ll be stuck at home instead. If you have a travel rewards credit card, you may be wondering how to get [...]
The coronavirus continues to upset the economy, and the housing market is no exception. As of last month, around 4 million homeowners have already requested mortgage forbearance with their lenders through the CARES Act forbearance program. Mortgage lenders are responding to the economic uncertainty by tightening credit requirements and making borrowers jump through more hoops [...]
As social life continues to move into the online sphere, it becomes increasingly important to monitor and protect our online data. The average consumer has more than 27 online accounts and that number approaches 100 for millennials with only a handful of passwords being shared throughout all of them. Given that passwords are the first line of defense to protect personally identifiable [...]
Whether you’re giving money to help those in need during the coronavirus pandemic or supporting political activism, donating to charity is a worthy endeavor. If you’re donating to charity for the first time or you’ve been supporting your favorite causes for years, it’s a good idea to ensure your donation is safe and the charity [...]
Business clients applying for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans with Bank of America may have had their personal and business information exposed in a data breach, according to a letter the bank sent to affected customers. The data breach occurred on April 22 as Bank of America uploaded customers’ PPP loan applications to the Small [...]
The hacktivist group Anonymous has taken credit for a cyberattack that took down the Minneapolis Police Department website to protest the death of George Floyd while in police custody. Before the cyberattack, hacktivist group members allegedly released a video on Facebook saying they were targeting the police department in order to seek justice for Floyd. [...]
The coronavirus pandemic has left us with many unknowns, including concerns over our personal financial future. In fact, if COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s that we need to budget for an emergency savings fund to plan for the unexpected. One way to make sure your financial future, including an emergency savings fund, is on [...]
Illinois residents filing for coronavirus-related unemployment using the state’s new online system might have had their personal information exposed. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, D, announced the Illinois Department of Employment Security experienced a system “glitch” after launching this week. The system, a new online portal, has been set up for contractors and self-employed residents filing for [...]
The FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have issued a warning that China is attempting to hack the networks of U.S. organizations, pharmaceutical companies and health care professionals working on coronavirus research and vaccines. The federal agencies called research institutions, companies and others working on the COVID-19 response “prime targets” for Chinese cyberattacks. Federal [...]
Zoom has acquired Keybase, a social networking service startup with encryption expertise, as part of the videoconferencing service’s plan to increase security during the coronavirus pandemic. Zoom CEO Eric Yuan recently announced the acquisition, calling it “another milestone in Zoom’s 90-day plan to further strengthen the security of our video communications platform.” Zoom did not [...]
Cybercriminals are targeting research labs working on COVID-19 treatments and vaccines. Three research firms have recently experienced data breaches, including the Wuhan lab at the epicenter of the pandemic. Hackers attacked the Wuhan Institute of Virology to gain access to employee email credentials. The credentials have been leaked online. The Wuhan Institute of Virology attack [...]
Scammers have been registering coronavirus-related domain website names daily in order to commit fraud, according to new reports. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, cybercriminals have been registering malicious sites with names that include “coronavirus” and “COVID-19”. They also are using combinations of the pandemic names and the word “vaccine”. Reports are showing malicious [...]
Many Americans are depending on stimulus check payments to help them through unemployment, decreased hours and other financial hardships during the coronavirus pandemic. While the IRS has begun distributing stimulus check payments, there are still about 60 million people who are eligible for stimulus payments who have yet to receive their checks. What can you [...]
A data breach in the Small Business Association (SBA) loan application portal may have exposed the personal information of thousands of businesses last month as they submitted emergency loan applications during the COVID-19 pandemic, officials recently announced. The SBA has seen a large influx of applications from struggling businesses seeking emergency loans due to the [...]
With hackers and scammers going to unprecedented lengths to steal information during the coronavirus pandemic, it’s important to know about tools you can use to help make it more difficult for criminals to access your information. While data security and identity theft are complicated issues, taking steps to reduce your exposure doesn’t have to be. [...]
From fake coronavirus vaccines to scammers targeting stimulus checks and small businesses seeking financial assistance, fraud involving COVID-19 fears is rampant. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported from January to April 15 it has received more than 18,000 complaints regarding coronavirus-related scams with about $9 million in losses. The complaints include sellers claiming to have [...]
As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us, having an emergency savings fund is important for handling unexpected expenses. From job loss to reduced income to other unplanned issues, it is important to save up a few months’ worth of expenses to weather financial storms. Building a strong emergency savings fund takes more than slipping a [...]
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched the Paycheck Protection Program – part of the $349 billion COVID-19 economic stimulus package – to provide up to 100% forgivable loans to eligible businesses so they can keep workers on the payroll. Here’s helpful information for small businesses on the Paycheck Protection Program. 1. What are the [...]
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused enormous financial insecurity across the country, with more than 10 million Americans applying for unemployment last month alone. If you’ve been financially affected, you’re probably worried about how you’re going to pay your bills. Timely bill payments aren’t just important to maintain your housing, services and other essentials. You [...]
The coronavirus pandemic has already dealt a severe blow to the American economy and has caused financial insecurity for countless citizens. The situation seems poised to get worse before it gets better. If you’re experiencing financial hardship – such as a job loss or reduced income – because of COVID-19-related circumstances, there are local, state [...]
Cruise lines Princess Cruises and Holland America Line recently revealed they suffered a data breach, another hit to the cruise line industry that has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. Officials for the cruise lines, both owned by parent company Carnival Corp., said in May 2019 they identified suspicious activity on their servers and launched an [...]
The coronavirus (COVID-19) has already caused major disruption in the United States. The economy is suffering, businesses are reducing services or closing their doors and Americans are hunkering down to avoid spreading a global pandemic. The turmoil can put an enormous strain on the finances of millions of people. Many Americans may experience job loss, [...]
Federal officials say the goal of a recent cyberattack on the U.S. Health and Human Services Department was to spread disinformation and disrupt the agency’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. The cyberattack aimed to overload the agency’s servers by using automated users, or bots, to create millions of hits over a short period of time [...]
After doing your taxes, you might find out you owe a hefty tax bill to the IRS. Millions of people owe the IRS every tax season and coming up with the money all at once can be a big financial burden. While you probably won’t be able to get out of paying the IRS, you [...]
T-Mobile has once again been hacked in a data breach. Company officials are alerting customers to a recent data breach that has put their personal information at risk. The newest data breach comes after the company experienced two data breaches in the last two years. T-Mobile reported a data breach exposing personal information of about [...]
When you receive a tax refund, it simply means that you've overpaid on your taxes for the previous year and the government is returning your money. But receiving a lump sum all at once can still feel like found money, and you may be tempted to splurge on something you’ve had your eye on, like [...]
When you’re looking for a home to buy, you’re probably focused on two big numbers: the sale price of the home and the amount of your monthly mortgage payment. But these numbers only tell part of the story. There are many other upfront and ongoing costs – or hidden costs – that you may be [...]
Tax season can sometimes be stressful — even when things go according to plan — but what happens when you are the victim of tax identity theft? Unfortunately, if your identity is stolen and used for tax-related fraud, you might never receive that tax refund. If someone used your personal information to file a fraudulent [...]
Tax season is officially here with Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week, Feb. 3 – 7. While it’s important to be on high alert and protect your identity all year long, tax season is an especially vulnerable time. Every tax season, identity thieves run a variety of scams to get their hands on taxpayers’ personal information. [...]
FICO® has announced its newest credit score models – the FICO Score 10 and FICO Score 10T – with a focus on consumer personal loans and credit trends. The new FICO Scores aim to reward those who pay lenders on time and give lenders more precision and predictability powers when making lending decisions, said Jim [...]
Planning a debt-free vacation is ideal. But traveling is costly, and the expenses can really stack up when it comes to vacations. Many people end up piling debt onto their credit cards just to travel to exciting destinations or get some rest and relaxation. If you want to plan a vacation this year without going [...]
Hackers are becoming more and more sophisticated in their phishing email attempts to steal personal and company data. The number of data breaches caused by phishing is increasing with hackers finding their way into a company’s network using phished information such as employees’ stolen credentials, according to a recent report from cybersecurity organization Crowdstrike. In [...]
A federal court has approved a $380.5 million Equifax settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit stemming from the credit-reporting firm’s 2017 massive data breach that put almost half the U.S population’s personal information at risk. In the approved agreement, Equifax officials are placing $380.5 million into a fund for consumers affected by the data breach. [...]
A Texas school district is out $2.3 million after falling victim to a phishing email scam. The Manor Independent School District recently announced it is working with the Manor Police Department and FBI to track down a scammer who siphoned about $2.3 million from the district after a single employee responded to a phishing email. [...]
If you went into debt shopping for the holidays, you’re probably not alone. Many American consumers plan to put at least some of their holiday spending on their credit card to pay off later. But putting too much holiday debt on your credit card can be bad for your wallet and your credit. Large credit [...]
There is a general lack of awareness surrounding credit, as American consumers’ knowledge about credit scores has been on a steady decline since 2012. And when you aren’t informed about your credit, it can be easy to believe misinformation and even spread it to others. Unfortunately, believing falsehoods about your credit can lead you to [...]
Landry’s Inc., the parent company of more than 600 restaurants, hotels and casinos, has announced a data breach exposing customers’ card payment information. Company officials reported a hacker accessed and installed malware to their network supporting payment processing, which is used by servers to swipe and charge customer credit cards. They said encryption technology made [...]
Want to enhance your finances in 2020? Practicing better credit habits should be a key part of your strategy. Responsible use of credit is reflected on your credit report and affects how creditors view your ability to effectively manage debt. Any financial wellness plan for the new year should include a credit plan. Here are [...]
The year 2019 saw thousands of data breaches of all types and sizes. Billions of personal records were exposed, caused by malicious hacks and organizational incompetence. The public has had their payment information stolen, personal data leaked and private messages exposed. Data breaches have been on an upward trend since the early 2000s, and the [...]
Facebook is ending the year with another data breach, this time with 267 million users’ personal information exposed. The monumental data breach comes after cybersecurity firm Comparitech and researcher Bob Diachenko found a database with the names, phone numbers and Facebook IDs for about 267 million users open on the web. The database was not [...]
Officials at LifeLabs, the largest diagnostics and testing services laboratory in Canada, recently announced they paid hackers an undisclosed ransom to retrieve more than 15 million stolen patients’ records. The laboratory was breached last month with hackers removing patient data and requiring a ransom in order for the company to regain the records. Personal information [...]
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro recently announced a $110,000 settlement with the traveling websites Orbtiz and Expedia after a data breach that put the credit card information of almost 21,000 state residents at risk. Shapiro lead an investigation into the data breach that discovered a hacker was able to add malware to steal credit card [...]
The Cucamonga Valley Water District, a water district in Southern California, is informing customers of a data breach that might have put their credit card information at risk. Water district officials said a server operated by outside vendor Central Square, which the water district uses to collect one-time credit card payments, was breached by an [...]
The highest profile data breaches and cyberattacks often involve big businesses with millions of customers. But private companies aren’t the only organizations that are vulnerable to cybercrime – local governments are also popular targets for criminals. According to Verizon’s 2019 Data Breach Investigation, 16% of all 2018 data breaches involved public sector entities including state [...]
SMS communications company TrueDialog left millions of text messages exposed and unprotected in an online database that security researchers discovered last month, according to reports. TrueDialog is a communications company that enables clients, including private businesses and universities, to send text messages to customers, students and other individuals. The service allows message recipients to respond [...]
