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Malware

Keytronic Suffers Massive $17 Million Blow in Devastating Ransomware Attack

Keytronic, a US electronics manufacturer, has reported losses exceeding $17 million due to a ransomware attack. The company faced significant production disruption, leading to delayed customer orders and additional labor costs. This highlights the increasing threat of cyberattacks on businesses, emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity measures.

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Imagine waking up one morning to find that your business has been attacked, your operations have come to a screeching halt, and sensitive information has been stolen. This nightmare scenario became a reality for electronic manufacturing services provider Keytronic, who recently revealed losses of over $17 million due to a ransomware attack in May.

A Brief History of Keytronic

Keytronic is an American technology company that started in 1969 as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of keyboards and mice. Over the years, they’ve grown to become one of the largest manufacturers of printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) worldwide. With facilities in the United States, Mexico, China, and Vietnam, the company’s global reach made it a prime target for cybercriminals.

The Ransomware Attack

On May 6, Keytronic detected disruptions at its Mexico and U.S. sites that impacted business applications supporting both operations and corporate functions. According to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the company stated that the incident led to approximately $2.3 million in additional expenses and a loss of around $15 million in revenue during the fourth quarter.

While most of these orders are recoverable and expected to be fulfilled in the 2025 fiscal year, the impact of the attack was significant. The company also reported an insurance gain of $0.7 million during the quarter to help offset some of these expenses.

The Aftermath

During the incident response, Keytronic was forced to shut down its domestic and Mexico operations for two weeks. The attackers also managed to steal personal information from the company’s systems during the breach.

Although Keytronic hasn’t attributed the attack to a specific threat group, the Black Basta ransomware gang claimed responsibility in late May and leaked what they said was all the data stolen from the company’s systems. The group stated that they were able to exfiltrate a wide range of data, including human resources, finance, engineering, and corporate files.

On its dark web leak website, Black Basta leaked screenshots of employees’ passports and social security cards, customer presentations, and corporate documents.

Who is Black Basta?

Black Basta is a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) operation that emerged in April 2022 and has since claimed many high-profile victims, including government contractors and healthcare companies. Some of their notable victims include German defense contractor Rheinmetall, government contractor ABB, U.S. healthcare giant Ascension, U.K. tech outsourcing firm Capita, the American Dental Association, Hyundai’s European division, the Toronto Public Library, and Yellow Pages Canada.

According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI, Black Basta affiliates have breached over 500 organizations and collected at least $100 million in ransom payments from over 90 victims until November 2023.

At the time of writing, Keytronic has yet to reply to a request for more information regarding the incident, including the total number of people impacted by the resulting data breach.

Don’t Let Your Business Be the Next Victim

The Keytronic ransomware attack serves as a sobering reminder that no organization is immune to the threat of cybercrime. As cybercriminals become more sophisticated and relentless, it’s essential for businesses to prioritize cybersecurity and stay informed on the latest threats and best practices.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Reach out to us at IT Services to learn more about how we can help protect your business from ransomware attacks and other cyber threats. Together, we can ensure that you stay one step ahead of cybercriminals and keep your valuable data safe.

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Shocking Cyberattack: 13,000 Devices Erased by Hacker’s Invasion of Classroom Management Platform

Imagine this: You walk into your classroom, ready for a productive day of learning. You boot up your computer, only to find that all your lessons, files, and resources have been wiped clean. That’s the nightmare scenario experienced by 13,000 users after a hacker infiltrated a popular classroom management platform.



A Wake-Up Call for Educators and Students Alike



This devastating cyberattack serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in our digital world. With schools relying more and more on technology for teaching and learning, it’s crucial that we don’t overlook the importance of cybersecurity. Just like you would protect your home from intruders, it’s time to safeguard your digital life.



Did you know? According to the 2021 Cybersecurity in Education Report by Absolute Software, 46 percent of all K-12 cybersecurity incidents are caused by students or staff unintentionally opening the door to hackers. That’s nearly half!



The Consequences of Ignoring Cybersecurity



The fallout from a cyberattack can be far-reaching and costly. In this case, the hacker responsible for the breach not only wiped devices clean but also demanded a ransom, threatening to release sensitive student information if their demands weren’t met.



Picture this: Personal data falling into the wrong hands, with the potential to ruin lives and reputations. And it’s not just financial losses at stake. The emotional toll of such an attack can be overwhelming, leaving victims feeling violated and vulnerable.



Prevention: The Best Defense Against Cyberattacks



It’s time to take action. As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” The key to preventing cyberattacks is education and vigilance. Here are a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your digital information:




  1. Keep your software up-to-date. This includes your operating system, web browsers, and any applications you use. Updates often include security patches that can protect you from known vulnerabilities.

  2. Use strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts. Don’t reuse passwords, and consider using a password manager to help you keep track of them all.

  3. Be cautious with email attachments and links. Before clicking, verify the sender and check for any suspicious signs, such as misspellings or odd email addresses.

  4. Implement two-factor authentication whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts, making it more difficult for hackers to gain access.

  5. Educate yourself and others about the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices. Knowledge is power!



The Time to Act Is Now



Don’t wait until it’s too late. Take control of your digital security today, and ensure a safer tomorrow for yourself, your students, and your colleagues.



Are you ready to join the fight against cybercrime? I invite you to contact us and keep coming back to learn more. Together, we can create a more secure digital landscape for everyone.

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Malware

Massive Data Breach Hits Payment Gateway: 1.7 Million Credit Card Users Impacted

A data breach at Indian payment gateway provider Juspay has exposed the personal information of 17 million credit card owners. The compromised data includes names, email addresses, and phone numbers, putting users at risk of phishing attacks. Juspay has assured customers that full card numbers, order information, and passwords remain secure.

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A person wearing a hooded jacket holds a glowing rectangular device in a dark, futuristic environment with neon red and blue digital graphics in the background, hinting at a massive data breach among credit card users.

Imagine this: you’re enjoying a lovely dinner at your favorite restaurant, and when it’s time to pay, you hand over your credit card without a second thought. What you don’t know is that a cybercriminal has been lurking in the shadows, just waiting for the opportunity to snatch your personal and credit card information. That’s exactly what happened to nearly 1.7 million individuals when payment gateway provider Slim CD suffered a data breach.

The Slim CD Data Breach: What Happened?

Slim CD is a company that provides payment processing solutions for businesses, allowing them to accept electronic and card payments through various platforms. Unfortunately, hackers were able to access Slim CD’s network for almost a year, from August 2023 to June 2024. The company first detected suspicious activity on June 15, 2024, and during their investigation, they discovered the unauthorized access had begun back in August 2023.

According to the notification sent to the impacted individuals, the threat actor had viewed or obtained access to credit card information for just two days, between June 14th and 15th, 2024. The types of data that may have been accessed include:

  • Full name
  • Physical address
  • Credit card number
  • Payment card expiration date

Is Your Credit Card Information Safe?

While the exposed information doesn’t include the card verification number (CVV), there’s still a risk of credit card fraud. Nowadays, cybercriminals have become increasingly sophisticated and may use the stolen information to piece together enough data for fraudulent transactions. It’s important to remain vigilant and monitor your credit card statements for any suspicious activity.

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?

Slim CD has taken measures to strengthen its security to prevent future incidents like this, but it’s crucial for you to take charge of your own cybersecurity. Here are some steps you can take to stay ahead of cybercriminals:

  • Regularly monitor your credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.
  • Report any suspicious activity to your card issuer immediately.
  • Be cautious when providing your personal and credit card information online or over the phone.
  • Consider using a credit monitoring service for added protection.

Don’t Let Cybercriminals Win: Stay Informed and Protected

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, so do the threats posed by cybercriminals. Staying informed about cybersecurity risks and taking proactive steps to protect your personal information is more important than ever before. We’re here to help you navigate the complex world of cybersecurity and ensure your personal data remains secure.

So, don’t let cybercriminals get the upper hand. Keep coming back to learn more about the latest threats and how you can stay protected in the digital age. Together, we’ll make sure that your personal information stays safe and out of the hands of cybercriminals.

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Malware

Massive Avis Data Breach Exposes 299,000+ Customers: Protect Yourself Now

Car rental company Avis has suffered a data breach impacting over 299,000 customers. The compromised information includes names, addresses, and driving license numbers. The breach affected Avis Australia and New Zealand, with the company stating that no financial data has been accessed.

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A car rental facility with an illuminated "AVIS" sign at night. Several vehicles are parked outside, and light trails from passing cars are visible in the foreground. Join our community of 000+ customers who trust us for their travel needs!

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Update: The Avis data breach impacted over 299,000 customers. 

Imagine renting a car, expecting a smooth and secure experience, only to find out later that your personal information was exposed in a data breach. That’s precisely what happened to over 299,000 customers of American car rental giant, Avis.

What happened in the Avis data breach?

Unknown attackers managed to breach one of Avis’s business applications last month, stealing some customers’ personal information in the process. According to data breach notification letters sent to impacted customers, Avis took action to stop the unauthorized access, launched an investigation with the help of external cybersecurity experts, and reported the incident to relevant authorities after learning of the breach on August 5.

The investigation revealed that from August 3 to August 6, the attacker accessed Avis’s business applications. The company was able to evict the malicious actor from its systems and block their access on August 6. On August 14, it was discovered that the attacker had stolen some customers’ personal information, including their names and other undisclosed sensitive data.

How many people were affected?

In a separate filing with Maine’s attorney general, it was revealed that the personal information of 299,006 Avis customers was stolen in the breach. This number represents less than 1% of their customer base, but it’s still a significant number of people whose data is now at risk.

What has Avis done since the breach?

Since the breach, Avis has worked with outside experts to strengthen security measures for the affected application and implemented additional safeguards across its systems. The company is also actively reviewing security monitoring and controls to bolster security defenses.

Avis warned customers of identity theft and fraud risks following the data breach, advising them to remain vigilant by regularly reviewing and monitoring their account statements and credit history for any signs of unauthorized transactions or activity. The car rental company also offered those affected a free one-year membership to Equifax’s credit monitoring service, which assists with identity theft detection and resolution.

Why is this important for you?

Data breaches like the one at Avis serve as a reminder of the ever-present risks we face in our increasingly digital world. Cybersecurity is not just a concern for large corporations; it affects all of us. It’s essential to stay informed and take steps to protect our personal information.

As your trusted IT Services provider, we’re here to help you navigate the complex world of cybersecurity. We’ll keep you up to date on the latest threats and offer guidance on how to keep your personal and business information safe. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns about your cybersecurity or need assistance in protecting your data.

In the meantime, stay vigilant and keep coming back to learn more about the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity.

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Malware

Avis Reveals Massive Data Breach: Customer Information Compromised in Car Rental Empire

Car rental company Avis recently disclosed a data breach affecting customer data. The breach exposed sensitive information such as names, addresses, and phone numbers. Protect your personal information by staying vigilant and monitoring your accounts for any suspicious activity.

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Image: Midjourney

Did you hear the news? American car rental giant Avis recently informed customers that cybercriminals breached one of its business applications last month and stole some of their personal information.

According to data breach notification letters sent to impacted customers and filed with California’s Office of the Attorney General, Avis took action to stop the unauthorized access and launched an investigation with the help of external cybersecurity experts after learning of the breach on August 5th.

What did the investigation uncover?

The investigation revealed that the attacker had access to Avis’s business application from August 3rd to 6th. The company managed to evict the malicious actor from its systems and blocked its access on August 6th. On August 14th, it also discovered that the attacker stole some customers’ personal information, including their names and other undisclosed sensitive data.

Since the breach, Avis says it has worked with outside experts to strengthen security measures for the affected application and implemented additional safeguards across its systems.

What has Avis done to protect its customers?

Avis has been actively reviewing security monitoring and controls to bolster security defenses and warned customers of identity theft and fraud risks following the data breach. The company advised those whose personal information was stolen to remain vigilant against threats of identity theft or fraud. They suggested customers do this by regularly reviewing and monitoring their account statements and credit history for any signs of unauthorized transactions or activity and contacting credit reporting agencies if they suspect any unauthorized activity.

Moreover, Avis offered those affected a free one-year membership to Equifax’s credit monitoring service, which provides assistance with identity theft detection and resolution.

About Avis and its global presence

Avis is a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group, a leading global mobility solutions provider that also owns Zipcar, the world’s leading car-sharing network. Its Avis and Budget car rental brands operate over 10,000 rental locations in 180 countries across North America, Europe, and Australasia. Avis Budget Group has reported more than $3.0 billion in revenues for the second quarter of 2024.

We reached out to Avis for more information about the attack’s nature, the number of affected customers, and the other personal information stolen in the breach, but the company has not responded yet.

Stay informed and protected

Cybersecurity is more important than ever, and we at IT Services are dedicated to helping you stay informed and protected. We encourage you to keep coming back to learn more about the latest cybersecurity news and trends. Together, we can make the digital world a safer place for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us!

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