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.
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.