This Week in Cybersecurity News: A storm of ransomware rocks companies around the world, unsecured databases spell trouble, and our new growth-focused eBook is here.
Cybersecurity News: Dark Web ID’s Top Threats
- Top Source Hits: ID Theft Forums
- Top Compromise Type: Domain
- Top Industry: Hospitality
- Top Employee Count: 501+
Cybersecurity News: United States
United States – Department of Education
Exploit: Unsecured Database
United States Department of Education: Federal Government Agency
Risk to Small Business: 2.077 = Severe
A large number of Americans may have had their personally identifiable data compromised by the United States Department of Education. According to reports, the agency left the Social Security numbers of tens of thousands of people seeking student debt relief unprotected and susceptible to a data breach for at least six months. While the information was stored securely enough to prevent an external breach, any users of the agency’s systems could freely access the information in a simple shared folder, including outside contractors.
Individual Risk: 2.316 = Severe
The breached information was collected from complaints filing for student debt relief after paying for years of education of dubious value from for-profit colleges. Personally identifiable information, including Social Security numbers, was not secured correctly. The information was easily obtained by anyone with access to agency or contractor systems. Those who suspect that they may be at risk should watch their credit reports and be on alert for spear phishing attacks.
Customers Impacted: 240,000
How it Could Affect Your Customers’ Business: Failure to secure a customer’s information briefly is bad enough but allowing that information to stay unsecured for more than 6 months shows indicates an overall lack of concern regarding cybersecurity that may make future clients think twice about starting a business relationship.
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United States – Healthcare Fiscal Management
Exploit: Ransomware
Healthcare Fiscal Management: Payment Solutions Provider
Risk to Small Business: 2.429 = Severe
Maze ransomware has claimed another victim. Healthcare Fiscal Management in North Carolina was hit, exposing private data for thousands of patients of St. Mary’s Healthcare System in Georgia, including names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, account numbers, medical record numbers, and dates of service. The company was able to restore data from backup storage the same day to a different hosting provider and a forensic investigation firm was brought on board to investigate the breach.
Individual Risk: 2.393 = Severe
Investigators do not believe that any of the stolen data is available on the internet or currently in the hands of the attackers, but that can’t be confirmed. Customers of St. Mary’s Healthcare System who suspect that they may be affected should monitor their credit reports for identity theft attempts. This information could also be used for blackmail or spear phishing attempts.
Customers Impacted: 58,000
How it Could Affect Your Customers’ Business: Ransomware is an ongoing threat to every business, and it’s primarily delivered via phishing. Failure to stop a ransomware attack can not only cost a fortune in recovery, it can also incur huge fines from regulators. Companies that deal with particularly sensitive data should have constantly updated training in place for every user to prevent phishing attacks from landing.
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United States – CNY Works
Exploit: Ransomware
CNY Works: Employment Assistance Non-Profit
Risk to Small Business: 1.803 = Severe
Job seekers who used CNY Works as part of their search were recently informed that their personal information may have been compromised in a data breach caused by ransomware in December 2019. The agency noted that it had only begun notifying potentially affected clients in June 2020 because it did not discover that any personal information was affected until May 2020.
Individual Risk: 2.227 = Severe
Personally identifiable data including names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and Social Security numbers was compromised. CNY Works is offering all potentially affected clients a one-year membership in a service that helps prevent identity theft by detecting possible misuse of personal information.
Customers Impacted: 56,000
How it Could Affect Your Customers’ Business: By taking so long to investigate the incident and warn potential victims, CNY Works has left them at risk for identity theft. Data that enables identity theft is a valuable commodity in Dark Web markets and travels quickly, enabling bad actors to open credit accounts with the stolen information.
ID Agent to the Rescue: Dark Web ID uses 24/7/365 human and machine monitoring and analysis to find information like stolen employee passwords that puts data at risk in Dark Web markets, enabling companies to learn about a breach and mitigate the damage fast. Learn more>>
United States – V Shred
Exploit: Unsecured Database
V Shred: Fitness and Nutrition Brand
Risk to Small Business: 1.345 = Extreme
An unsecured Amazon S3 bucket is once again the cause of a data breach. This time, fitness and nutrition company V Shred failed to secure 606 GB of customer data that is now in the hands of cybercriminals. The huge haul of information includes the full name, age, gender, date of birth, spouse names, email address, phone numbers, home addresses, health conditions, citizenship status, Social Security number, social media accounts, username, and password for clients and fitness trainers throughout the US. It’s also suspected that potentially revealing fitness journey “before” and “after” photos were included in the files.
Risk to Small Business: 1.341 = Extreme
All U.S. clients and trainers who were associated with V Shred should be cautious about potential threats to their credit as well as blackmail, identity theft, and spear phishing attempts using the stolen data, and conclude that any personally identifiable information that was stored by the company has now been exposed.
Customers Impacted: 100,000+
How it Could Affect Your Customers’ Business: Failure to secure this database could be catastrophic for this company. It entered an agreement with trainers and clients when it collected such personal information, and it failed to keep up its end, creating distrust that will linger. This information has already been seen on the Dark Web and includes extremely sensitive data.
ID Agent to the Rescue: Digital risk protection is a necessity for any organization that handles and stores sensitive data. In this economy, no one can afford a breach. Be sure that companies have all of their cybersecurity bases covered with our digital risk protection platform. Learn more>>
Cybersecurity News: Canada
Canada – Heartland Farm Mutual
Exploit: Email Account Compromise
Heartland Farm Mutual: Insurance Company
Risk to Small Business: 2.335 = Severe
An unknown actor gained unauthorized access to an employee email account and all of the information it contained. Heartland Farm Mutual, a provider of agricultural insurance, announced that a small number of clients may have had their personal data exposed in the incident. The company has announced that the incident was contained quickly and that they’re bringing in an outside firm to investigate the breach.
Individual Risk: 2.717 = Moderate
Customers who corresponded with the affected account had personal information exposed. The company claims to have notified everyone who may have had information compromised, offering them credit monitoring for a year.
Customers Impacted: Unknown
How it Could Affect Your Customers’ Business: Email compromise is often the result of a successful phishing attack. Phishing is the top menace of 2020 and is, unfortunately, more effective against remote workers. Cybercriminals are using a huge variety of means to attempt phishing attacks and constantly changing tactics.
ID Agent to the Rescue: Remote workforce security must be a top concern for any company. Make sure that cybersecurity training and protection are up to speed with our Remote Work Cybersecurity package, including a free eBook outlining potential risks. Get it now>>
Cybersecurity News: United Kingdom
United Kingdom – BMW UK
Exploit: Unauthorized Database Access
BMW UK: Automobile and Truck Manufacturer, UK Division
Risk to Small Business: 2.203 = Severe
A customer database containing information for BMW owners in the UK was recently discovered for sale by cybersecurity researchers, The database was offered in an underground forum by the KelvinSecurity Group, a well-known hacking group responsible for several major data sales in the last few months. The available information included customer names, emails, addresses, vehicle numbers, dealer names, and other information. The data was purportedly obtained from a corporate call center and includes records from 2016 to 2018. The database is also reported to contain data for some UK customers of other car companies including Mercedes, Honda, and Hyundai.
Individual Risk: 2.616 = Moderate
No financial information or highly sensitive personal data was reported stolen in the breach. BMW owners in the UK should be aware that this information could be used for spear phishing.
Customers Impacted: 500,000
How it Could Affect Your Customers’ Business: One stolen credential can lead to a world of trouble. Data like this is always popular on the Dark Web. While highly coveted information like credit card numbers or other financial data isn’t included in this database, the information that is available could prove useful for bad actors who are looking for ammunition to mount spear phishing and whaling attacks.
ID Agent to the Rescue: Dark Web ID monitors the Dark Web for stolen or compromised credentials, and alerts businesses fast when one is found, giving companies time to deal with the problem before it becomes a catastrophe. Learn more >>
Cybersecurity News: South America
Brazil– Light SA
Exploit: Ransomware
Light SA: Energy Provider
Risk to Small Business: 2.133 = Severe
REvil ransomware is to blame again, this time in an attack that has encrypted data at a Brazilian energy company. The attackers have asked for a $14 million ransom to release the impacted data. Hackers purportedly encrypted the data through a known vulnerability in Windows software that allows them to encrypt Windows system files. The ransom has increased to $14 million after the company failed to pay the initial demand of $7 million in equivalent Monero by the original deadline imposed.
Individual Risk: No individual data was reported as compromised.
Customers Impacted: Unknown
How it Could Affect Your Customers’ Business: Even cybercriminals are working overtime these days. Ransomware attacks have increased since the beginning of 2020 and that shows no signs of slowing down. Most ransomware is delivered through phishing, making phishing resistance training a crucial component of an effective defense against ransomware.
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Cybersecurity News: Asia/Pacific
India – Limeroad
Exploit: Unauthorized Database Access
Limeroad: Apparel Marketplace
Risk to Small Business: 2.655 = Moderate
Approximately 1.29 million customers of popular Indian social shopping site Limeroad had their personal data compromised last week in a database break-in, and the stolen information is already up for sale on the Dark Web. Cyber researchers report that the database contained the full names of users, phone numbers, and email addresses of users. No financial data was noted as compromised.
Risk to Small Business: 2.702 = Moderate
While some personal information was compromised in the breach, no financial data or sensitive identity information was stolen. Limeroad users should be on the lookout for potential spear phishing attempts using this data.
Customers Impacted: 1.29 Million
How it Could Affect Your Customers’ Business: Unauthorized access to a database can often be traced to a compromised password. While this was a minimally damaging breach, it makes customers wonder about the rest of a company’s cybersecurity strategy – and how safe their more sensitive data might be.
ID Agent to the Rescue: Employee passwords and other login credentials could be circulating in Dark Web markets right now. With Dark Web ID, companies find out about compromised credentials fast to know when it’s time for a credential update for everyone. Learn more >>
The Week in Breach’s Cybersecurity News Risk Levels
1 – 1.5 = Extreme Risk
1.51 – 2.49 = Severe Risk
2.5 – 3 = Moderate Risk
1.51 – 2.49 = Severe Risk
2.5 – 3 = Moderate Risk
Risk scores for The Week in Breach are calculated using a formula that considers a wide range of factors related to the assessed breach.
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