Malware
UK Government Connects 2021 Electoral Commission Cyberattack to Exchange Server Vulnerability
The UK government has connected the recent Electoral Commission data breach to Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity experts urge organizations to apply Microsoft’s security updates to protect sensitive information and prevent further cyberattacks.
Did you know that the United Kingdom’s Electoral Commission was hacked in August 2021? This breach occurred because the commission failed to patch its on-premise Microsoft Exchange Server against ProxyShell vulnerabilities. In simple terms, they didn’t update their security software and left the door wide open for hackers.
According to the U.K. National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the breach was the work of a Chinese state-backed threat actor. The hackers exploited a series of security flaws (CVE-2021-34473, CVE-2021-34523, and CVE-2021-31207) to gain access to the commission’s Exchange Server 2016 and install web shells and backdoors, which allowed them to maintain control over the system.
Even though Microsoft released security updates in May 2021 to fix the ProxyShell vulnerability chain, the commission failed to act quickly, leaving their systems exposed to attacks.
The breach was discovered on October 28, 2021, when an employee noticed that the Commission’s Exchange server was being used to send spam emails. By the time the breach was discovered, the Chinese hackers had already accessed the personal information of around 40 million people, including their names, home addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers.
While the commission tried to downplay the impact by saying “much of it is already in the public domain,” only voters’ names and addresses are publicly available in the U.K. open register.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) had some strong words for the Electoral Commission, stating that they “did not have appropriate security measures in place to protect the personal information it held” and that there were insufficient password policies in place at the time of the attack. Many accounts were still using passwords identical or similar to the ones originally allocated by the service desk.
A Wake-Up Call
Today, the ICO reprimanded the U.K. elections authority for failing to protect its systems and the personal information of millions of voters. The ICO’s Deputy Commissioner Stephen Bonner said that if the commission “had taken basic steps to protect its systems, such as effective security patching and password management, it is highly likely that this data breach would not have happened.”
However, Bonner also noted that the ICO has no reason to believe any personal information was misused since it was accessed in 2021 and has yet to find evidence that the breach has caused direct harm to impacted voters.
In August 2021, just days after the U.K. Electoral Commission breach was disclosed, Shodan revealed that it was tracking tens of thousands of Exchange servers vulnerable to ProxyShell attacks. This breach came after the U.K., the U.S., and their allies blamed China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) for widespread attacks that hit tens of thousands of organizations worldwide in March 2021. MSS is linked to state-backed hacking groups tracked as APT40 and APT31.
So, what can we learn from this incident? It’s a stark reminder that even large organizations with access to vast resources can fall victim to cyberattacks if they don’t take appropriate precautions. It’s crucial to stay up-to-date with the latest security patches, enforce strong password policies, and always be on the lookout for potential threats.
Don’t let this happen to you. Keep coming back to learn more about cybersecurity best practices, and feel free to contact us for expert advice on how to protect your valuable data from cybercriminals.
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.
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.
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.
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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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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