The year 2020 did not only present us with the Covid-19 pandemic but also a surge in the number of cyber attacks. Hackers have made the utmost use of the pandemic to steal information from various sites during this time.
One of the biggest reasons for the spurt of cyber attacks is the work-from-home options provided to almost all organizations. This has caused companies to lose valuable and confidential information of their customers.
The high number of data breaches in the past year is likely due to the security gap between the office network and the home. According to a study conducted, 81 countries reported cyber attacks from 81 global firms in the first half of the year itself.
Let us now have a look at the Top 5 Data Breaches in 2020
1. Telegram
Valuable cryptocurrency data like email and other information was hacked from the Telegram network in September 2020. Signalling System 7 (SS7) was the way hackers gained access to the network. SS7 is used for the connection of mobile networks all over the world.
As cyber security experts claim that the hackers had originally targeted two factor authentication login codes. The hackers spoofed SMSC that was used to send a location update to 20 high profile targeted victims. The experts believe that this attack was done to gain cryptocurrency information.
2. Carnival Corporation
Carnival Corporation is the world’s largest cruise line operator that reported of a data breach in the month of August 2020. It is believed that the hackers stole valuable information from employers, customers, and crew members during the cyber attack.
The company detected a ransomware attack on August 15, 2020. The attack is believed to have gained access to confidential information. After the attack, the company then hired cyber security experts and legal counsels to keep such breaches away.
3. Seyfarth Shaw
Seyfarth Shaw LLP is a leading Chicago based global legal firm that encountered a fierce malware attack. It was later confirmed to be a ransomware attack. According to the firm, the attack took place on October 10, 2020.
As a result, it also caused a down in the company’s email system. Many of the firm systems were encrypted which is why the company took them down just to be on the safer side. An FBI investigation was also conducted for the same.
4. Toll Group
Toll Group is the worst hit in the scene of cyber attacks. The group was attacked by ransomware twice in a span of 3 months. However, it was found that both of these attacks were not connected to one another and had different ransom ware.
As a precautionary measure, Toll Group decided to shut down many of their systems to safeguard data. Due to the attack, a number of customer-facing applications were affected.
5. MGM Hotel
The details of 10.6 million guests were hacked in the month of February 2020 who stayed in the hotel. Apparently, the data was leaked in a hacking forum that left confidential data of the guests exposed.
The data included phone numbers, emails, names, birth dates, and more of guests that included government employees, celebrities, tourists, and CEOs. However, the credit card details were not tampered with.
There are many cyber-attacks taking place on a daily basis in various business sectors. This is why it is important to update software and systems on a regular basis. Doing so makes it easy to access your present security posture, detect vulnerabilities and finally fix them as well.
