Imagine going to the doctor, only to find out that your private information has been leaked to third-party companies. That’s exactly what happened to millions of people in the United States when healthcare service provider Kaiser Permanente disclosed a data security incident.

Kaiser Permanente is a huge name in the world of healthcare, operating as an integrated managed care consortium and one of the largest nonprofit health plans in the U.S. With 40 hospitals and 618 medical facilities across the nation, it’s a big deal when they report a security breach.

So, just how many people were affected by this breach? Approximately 13.4 million current and former members and patients had their information leaked to third-party trackers installed on Kaiser’s websites and mobile applications.

What Information Was Leaked?

According to Kaiser Permanente, the leaked data may include IP addresses, names, information that could indicate a member or patient was signed into a Kaiser Permanente account or service, details showing how a member or patient interacted with and navigated through the website and mobile applications, and search terms used in the health encyclopedia.

Now, you might be thinking, “That doesn’t sound too bad.” But here’s the thing: information collected by online trackers is often shared with an extensive network of marketers, advertisers, and data brokers. So, your private health information could be in the hands of people you never intended to share it with.

Thankfully, the data exposed in this incident does not include usernames, passwords, Social Security Numbers (SSNs), financial account information, or credit card numbers.

What Is Kaiser Permanente Doing About It?

After discovering the trackers through a voluntary internal investigation, Kaiser Permanente removed them and implemented additional measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

While they are not aware of any cases of the exposed information being misused, they will notify individuals who accessed their sites and used their mobile apps out of an abundance of caution.

This isn’t the first time Kaiser Permanente has dealt with a data breach. In June 2022, they disclosed a breach that exposed the health information of 69,000 people, caused by unauthorized access to an employee’s email account.

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?

Data breaches are becoming more and more common, and it’s essential to stay informed and proactive in protecting your personal information. If you’re concerned about your data privacy, consider reaching out to us at IT Services. We’re here to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity and ensure your private information stays private.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact us today and let us help you safeguard your digital life.

Imagine this: you’re a patient in Los Angeles County, home to the most populous county in the United States. You rely on your local hospitals and clinics for your healthcare needs. One day, you receive a letter informing you that your personal and health information has been exposed in a data breach. How would you feel?

A Massive Phishing Attack in L.A. County

This frightening scenario recently unfolded for thousands of patients in L.A. County. The Department of Health Services, which operates the public hospitals and clinics in the area, had to disclose a data breach after a phishing attack impacted over two dozen employees. These mailboxes contained sensitive information for about 6,085 individuals, making this a significant incident.

How Did This Happen?

It all started with a phishing email. A hacker duped 23 employees into clicking a link that appeared to be a legitimate message from a trustworthy source. This simple action gave the attacker access to the employees’ mailboxes, and ultimately, to patients’ personal and health data.

Among the compromised information were patients’ names, dates of birth, home addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, medical record numbers, client identification numbers, dates of service, medical information (such as diagnosis, treatment, test results, and medications), and health plan information. Thankfully, no Social Security Numbers or financial information were exposed in this breach.

Responding to the Breach

Upon discovering the breach, the L.A. County Health Services took swift action. They disabled the impacted email accounts, reset and re-imaged the compromised employees’ devices, and quarantined suspicious incoming emails. The health system also sent out awareness notifications to all employees, reminding them to be vigilant when reviewing emails, especially those containing attachments or links.

In addition, the health system plans to notify the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights, the California Department of Public Health, and other relevant agencies about the data breach. While no evidence was found that the attackers accessed or misused the exposed information, L.A. County Health Services advises affected patients to contact their healthcare providers to verify the content and accuracy of their medical records.

A Call to Action: Let’s Protect Our Data Together

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of cybersecurity in the healthcare sector. As patients, we trust our healthcare providers with our most sensitive information, and we must demand that they take every measure to protect it.

As an IT Services company, we understand the challenges healthcare organizations face in safeguarding personal and health information. We encourage you to reach out to us, learn more about our services, and take proactive steps to protect your data. Together, let’s create a safer digital world for all.

Imagine waking up one day and realizing that your top-secret defense technologies have been stolen by hackers. That’s exactly what happened to several South Korean defense companies recently. So, let’s dive into what happened and how we can learn from these incidents to protect our own sensitive information.

The National Police Agency in South Korea sent out an urgent warning about North Korean hacking groups targeting defense industry entities to steal valuable technology information. These hackers, known as Lazarus, Andariel, and Kimsuky, have successfully breached the defenses of multiple South Korean companies by exploiting vulnerabilities in their networks or those of their subcontractors.

Following a special inspection conducted earlier this year, authorities discovered that some companies had been compromised since late 2022 but were completely unaware of the breach. This highlights the importance of being proactive with cybersecurity measures and staying vigilant for potential threats.

Let’s take a closer look at the attacks

These reports detail three cases involving each of the hacking groups, showing how diverse their attack methods can be when targeting defense technology.

In one case, Lazarus hackers took advantage of poorly managed network connection systems designed for testing. They penetrated the internal networks of a defense company and gathered critical data from at least six of the firm’s computers, transferring it to a cloud server abroad.

The Andariel group’s attack was even more insidious. They stole account information from an employee of a maintenance company that serviced defense subcontractors. Using this stolen account, they installed malware on the servers of these subcontractors, leading to major leaks of defense-related technical data. This situation was made worse by employees using the same passwords for personal and work accounts.

Lastly, Kimsuky hackers exploited a vulnerability in the email server of a defense subcontractor. This allowed them to download and steal substantial technical data from the company’s internal server without authentication.

What can we learn from these incidents?

The Korean police recommend several steps companies can take to protect themselves from similar attacks. These include improving network security segmentation, periodic password resets, setting up two-factor authentication on all critical accounts, and blocking foreign IP accesses.

But let’s take this a step further. As individuals and businesses, we must recognize the importance of safeguarding our sensitive information. This means investing in robust cybersecurity measures, staying informed about potential threats, and taking proactive steps to protect our data.

Don’t wait until it’s too late

These incidents serve as a stark reminder that cyber threats are ever-present and constantly evolving. With an increase in remote work and reliance on digital systems, it’s more important than ever to take cybersecurity seriously. Don’t wait until you’re the next victim – be proactive in protecting your valuable information.

For more information on cybersecurity and how to protect yourself or your business, keep coming back to our IT Services website. We’re here to help you stay informed and secure in an increasingly digital world.