Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation, recently revealed that a cyber attack had occurred and compromised user data. In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Live Nation revealed it had discovered an "unauthorized activity within a third-party cloud database." The ShinyHunters hacking group is threatening to sell the stolen data on the dark web unless their ransom demand is met.
Worried about your personal data? Check your private info is safe.
Which companies have been hacked in 2024?
On May 9th, Dell experienced a data breach and notified their customers via email about the potential compromise, following an attack on the customer portal. According to Dell, no financial information was accessed, but it is estimated that details of 49 million customers, including home address and order information, may have been exposed and are now being offered for sale on hacker forums.
In April, a hacker claimed to have stolen records of almost three million Giant Tiger customers, with data including email addresses, names, physical addresses, and phone numbers.
And back in January, 15 million Trello users were warned that their data may have been leaked on the dark web. Although the company did not suffer a direct breach, hackers managed to scrape the data from Trello and then post it for sale on a popular hacking forum.
How do you know if your data has been breached?
Discovering that your data has been breached can be a troubling experience, but recognizing the signs early can help you mitigate the damage and take appropriate action. Some common indicators that your data may have been compromised include:
1. Unusual account activity
One of the most immediate signs of a data breach is unusual activity in your online accounts. This could include:
- Unauthorized transactions or withdrawals from your bank accounts.
- Unexpected password reset emails or changes to your account settings.
- New accounts or subscriptions that you didn’t sign up for.
2. Unexpected communications
Receiving unexpected communications can be a red flag. Watch out for:
- Emails or messages from unfamiliar sources, especially if they contain attachments or ask for personal information.
- Notifications from services about login attempts from unknown devices or locations.
- Emails about password changes, account verifications, or purchases you did not make.
3. Increased spam and phishing attempts
A sudden increase in spam emails or phishing attempts can indicate that your email address and other personal information have been leaked. Be cautious of:
- Emails requesting sensitive information such as passwords, Social Security numbers, or credit card details.
- Messages containing suspicious links or attachments.
4. Alerts from security software
If you have antivirus or identity theft protection services, they may alert you to potential breaches. Pay attention to:
- Notifications about malware or unauthorized access attempts.
- Alerts from identity monitoring services about your personal information appearing on the dark web.
5. Unauthorized devices or sessions
- Many online services allow you to check the devices and locations from which your account has been accessed. Look for:
- New or unknown devices have logged into your accounts.
- Sessions from unfamiliar locations or IP addresses.
6. Loss of access
Being locked out of your accounts can be a clear sign of a breach. This might include:
- Being unable to log in using your usual password.
- Receiving messages that your account has been suspended due to suspicious activity.
7. Credit report changes
Unexpected changes in your credit report can indicate identity theft. Watch for:
- New credit inquiries or accounts you did not open.
- Unexplained changes to your credit score.
8. Strange computer behavior
Your computer or devices may behave strangely if they've been compromised. This can include:
- Sudden slowdowns or crashes.
- Pop-up ads or applications you didn’t install.
- Files or programs you didn’t download appear on your device.
Are you the victim of a data leak? Check your personal info is secure by running a free scan.
Data breach: What to do next
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to take immediate action:
- Change your passwords: Update passwords for all potentially affected accounts, using strong, unique passwords for each one.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security to your accounts by enabling 2FA where possible.
- Monitor financial accounts: Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions.
- Contact your bank and credit card companies: Inform them of any suspicious activity so they can take appropriate measures.
- Check your credit report: Review your credit report for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze.
- Use security software: Run antivirus and anti-malware scans on your devices to identify and remove any threats.
- Report the breach: Notify the relevant authorities and organizations of the breach. This might include your email provider, financial institutions, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the U.S.
Data Breach alert? Respond quickly with Online Security
Staying vigilant and recognizing the signs of a data breach can help you act quickly to protect your personal information and minimize potential damage. With Online Security, users can protect their online data with the following features:
- Real-time threat detection: Scans websites and online platforms for malicious content, phishing attempts, or suspicious activities that could affect user data.
- Secure browsing: Provides warning and blocks access to risky websites with known security vulnerabilities or a history of data breaches.
- Privacy protection: Offering tools to manage cookie preferences and block tracking scripts, reducing the likelihood of data collection by advertisers or third-party entities.
- Identity protection: Users can scan their email addresses with the dark web monitoring feature to check for any leaks on the dark web.
Defend against data breaches with the new personal data monitoring feature from Online Security
Online Security has added a new feature to its browser extension - the ‘Personal Data Monitoring’ feature. In the wake of a data breach, this new data monitoring feature will serve as an invaluable line of defense, allowing users to identify compromised websites or possible credential data leaks, and take prompt action to secure their accounts and mitigate potential damage.
Data monitoring allows users to enter their personal data and scan for any data breaches using different forms of personal data, including:
- Social security number
- Driver’s license
- Credit card number
- Phone number
- National ID
- Passport
The data will be scanned to see if any data leaks have occurred - specifically if any of the entered data has appeared on the dark web. This allows users to take positive action to repair the damage if any has occurred.
Don't wait to find out if your information has been exposed! Take control of your online security with a quick email scan.
For more information on Online Security or RAV Endpoint Protection, and how they help consumers in the event of a customer data breach, visit www.reasonlabs.com.
