The biggest data breaches in 2024 so far!

In 2024, the escalating threat of data breaches has reached unprecedented levels, with over 1 billion records compromised so far. This year has witnessed some of the most significant and damaging incidents, in recent history. Despite efforts to mitigate these risks, the situation continues to deteriorate, with vast quantities of sensitive personal information—including extensive medical records across the United States—being illicitly obtained and disseminated. 

Here are some of the biggest data breaches of 2024!

AT&T

7.6 million current records breached and 65.4 million former customers!

Earlier this year, AT&T disclosed a significant data breach in which hackers gained access to the personal information of both current and former customers. The compromised data includes highly sensitive details such as Social Security numbers, account numbers, and passcodes. According to AT&T, the breached data likely originates from 2019 or earlier and was discovered on the dark web in mid-March 2024. This incident follows a previous cyberattack in January 2023 that impacted 9 million users.

Ticketmaster Entertainment, LLC

560 million records breached!

In May 2024, over 560 million customer records, including order history, payment information, name, address, and email data, were leaked online and offered for sale by hackers who infiltrated Ticketmaster’s systems. The company has sent emails to their customers, advising users to monitor their accounts and credit statements.

Change Healthcare

The breach is expected to affect 45% of the US population!

Change Healthcare, one of the world’s largest health payment processing companies was compromised in a ransomware attack by a prolific cybercriminal group. The breach, which exploited a critical system lacking multi-factor authentication, resulted in the theft of vast amounts of sensitive health data. The company processes approximately 15 billion medical claims annually, and the stolen data includes health insurance information, medical records, billing data, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license information.

Tile

450,000 Records breached!

In June 2024, Life360, the company behind the Tile tracker device, reported a significant data breach. The compromised information includes names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and purchase order details. Additionally, hackers gained access to tools used for processing location requests by law enforcement and are now extorting Life360 for a ransom.

Dell

49 Million records breached!

In May 2024, Dell faced a major cyberattack potentially affecting 49 million customers. The hacker infiltrated Dell’s systems by creating authorized partner accounts and then launched a brute-force attack, sending over 5,000 requests per minute for nearly three weeks without detection. Sensitive customer data, including home addresses and order details, may have been compromised, although financial details were not breached. Reports indicate that the stolen data is now being sold on hacker forums.

The consequences of data breaches

The consequences of similar data breaches can be severe and far-reaching, impacting individuals, businesses, and society at large. Here are some key consequences:

• Financial Losses: Individuals may suffer identity theft and fraud, while companies face fines, legal costs, and lost revenue.

• Reputational Damage: Companies lose customer trust, leading to reduced sales and business opportunities.

• Legal Issues: Breaches can result in lawsuits and regulatory fines for failing to protect data.

• Operational Disruption: Businesses may experience downtime and increased costs to restore systems.

• Privacy Violations: Exposed personal data leads to long-term risks for individuals, like identity theft.