REDMOND, WA - According to new data released by IT services data protection and security company N-able, 2024 so far has seen a huge uptick in hacking and cyberattacks targeting Microsoft 365 domains, with a 56 percent increase in the number of disaster recovery events among the service’s clients and a large uptick in the number of backups among its partners. Critical Start’s Cyber Research Unit (CRU) issued a report that states the number of cyber alerts in the first … [Read more...]
Google to Phase Out Call & Chat Reporting on Google My Business Profiles
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - In a recent announcement Google revealed that it will discontinue the call and chat history features in Google Business Profiles by July 31, 2024. This move appears to be part of a broader effort to streamline Google's services and shift its focus elsewhere. While these changes will affect how businesses interact with their leads, it also presents an opportunity to enhance marketing efforts with proper planning and the right tools. What’s Changing in … [Read more...]
AT&T Discloses Major Data Breach Affecting Approximately 70+ Million Accounts
DALLAS, TX - AT&T recently revealed a cybersecurity incident that exposed call and text message records for a significant portion of its customer base. The breach impacted nearly all of AT&T's cellular customers, along with customers of mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that utilize AT&T's network. Even some landline customers who interacted with AT&T cellular users during the timeframe are included. While the compromised data doesn't contain the … [Read more...]
Data Leak Impacts Snowflake Customers, Including Advanced Auto Parts, LendingTree
BOZEMAN, MT - In a significant data breach, several major companies have been impacted due to vulnerabilities in their Snowflake cloud storage accounts. The breach, which came to light in early June 2024, has affected companies like Advanced Auto Parts and LendingTree, among others. Details of the Breach: The breach involved unauthorized access to Snowflake's cloud storage, leading to the theft of vast amounts of data. The hacker, known by the alias "Sp1d3r," has … [Read more...]
Ticketmaster Faces Massive Data Breach, Affecting Millions of Users
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - Ticketmaster, the ticketing giant, is reeling from a major data breach that may have exposed the personal information of over half a billion users. The notorious hacking group ShinyHunters is claiming responsibility for the attack and is demanding a ransom of $500,000 to prevent the data from being sold. While Ticketmaster has yet to confirm the breach officially, security experts are taking the claims seriously. According to reports, the stolen data … [Read more...]
Unstoppable Domains & Secret Network Launch “.Secret” Top-Level Domain (TLD)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Digital identity provider Unstoppable Domains (UD) and Secret Network, the confidential computing layer of Web3, officially announced on Thursday, May 30 that they have launched the ".Secret" Web3 top-level domain (TLD), which will offer enhanced digital privacy and communication for users within the blockchain community. The .Secret TLD – which will function as both a web address and digital identifier – represents a huge leap in terms of privacy for … [Read more...]
49 Million Customers Data Affected After Dell Technologies Data Breach
ROUND ROCK, TX - A security incident has come to light, prompting concerns among users. Dell Technologies, a prominent player in the tech industry, disclosed a data breach affecting a substantial number of customers, totaling 49 million. While the breach does not involve sensitive financial or payment data, it nonetheless exposes personal information, including full names, cities, postal codes, and purchase details. Despite seeming innocuous, this data can be exploited by … [Read more...]
Fake TD Bank Website Email Scam Steals Username, Password, Text-Message Code
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - I've been writing about scam emails and phishing attempts for a number of years now and although I don't have as much time at my disposal as I used to, I still like to detail their processes when I can so people can learn how to avoid these scams while seeing and understanding how clever these little sneaks are when plotting to steal your information (and money). Past features have includes similar scams targeting customers of Facebook, GoDaddy, FedEx, … [Read more...]
Omni Hotels & Resorts Suffers Breach, Potentially Impacting Millions
DALLAS, TX - Last month, Omni Hotels & Resorts, a prominent hotel chain, experienced a cybersecurity breach that resulted in the theft of customer information. In an update on their website, Omni confirmed that the stolen data includes customer names, email addresses, postal addresses, and guest loyalty program information. However, financial information and Social Security numbers were not compromised. The breach was detected on March 29, prompting Omni to shut down … [Read more...]
Hackers Take Control of Computer Network At Missouri Hospital; Demand Ransom
KANSAS CITY, MO - Liberty Hospital in Missouri fell victim to a grim cyber assault Tuesday when a menacing blackmail message from a hacker resulted in a disruption of its computer systems. A message from an anonymous source targeting the hospital warned, “We have hacked you and downloaded all confidential data of your company. Your reputation will be ruined. Save your business. Contact us within 72 hours.” This message itself was uncovered exclusively by KMBC-TV, an ABC … [Read more...]
Recently Discovered October 2023 Xfinity Hack Affects Nearly 36 Million Customers
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Leading internet service provider, Xfinity, recently released information regarding a major data breach that is expected to have affected millions of customers. The offenders exploited a vulnerability left by a patch, causing unauthorized access to software provider Citrix, a system used by Xfinity. It is important for Xfinity users to amend their usernames and passwords in response to this breach, even if their data has not been directly exposed. While … [Read more...]
Experts: 23andMe Hack Is DNA Catastrophe; Leaked Millions of Genetic Profiles
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Earlier this week, in a startling revelation, 23andMe conceded that a hack in October was significantly worse than initially reported. Affecting nearly 6.9 million people, the scale of this data breach was shockingly larger than the initially stated figure of 14,000 users. Regrettably, the stolen data contained not only sensitive information such as full names, but genetic profiles. Yet, the severity of the situation was met with indifference by some … [Read more...]
Report: Domain Squatting, Brand Hijacking Presenting Increased Threat Across Internet
PALM BEACH, FL - “Domain squatting” – AKA cybersquatting – and “brand hijacking” are two internet-based threats that present unique dangers to both businesses and end users, opening up some to cybersecurity threats and brand/trademark damage including potential phishing and malware attacks. Domain squatting is registering or using a domain name to profit from a trademark belonging to a well-known brand, typically by registering a misspelled version of their URL to … [Read more...]
Managed Care Confirms Serious Breach of Nearly 9 Million Patients’ Critical Info
ATLANTA, GA - Managed Care of North America, Inc. (MCNA), a major insurance company, suffered a data breach that exposed the personal information of nearly 9 million patients. The Atlanta-based company claims to be the largest dental insurer in the nation. According to reports, Hackers had access to MCNA systems from February 26 to March 7, 2023, compromising confidential patient information such as full names, addresses, birthdates, driver’s license numbers, phone … [Read more...]
PharMerica Discloses Data Breach That Exposes Info of Nearly 6 Million People
LOUISVILLE, KY - PharMerica, a national pharmacy network owned by BrightSpring Health, has informed nearly 6 million of their members that Social Security numbers, names, birthdates, medical information, and more was exposed in a data breach. The information was stolen between March 12 and March 13. If exploited, cybercriminals can use this information to commit identity theft. On March 14, 2023, we learned of suspicious activity on our computer network. Upon discovering … [Read more...]