From high-profile data breaches to cyber attacks that took down entire systems, 2020 was a year of big security incidents. Here’s a look at some of the most notable hacks and cyber attacks of the past year.
Hacks timeline
Some of the most recent high-profile hacks include:
- July 2017: Equifax, a credit reporting agency, announced that hackers had accessed the personal information of 143 million people. This included social security numbers, addresses, and driver’s license numbers.
- September 2017: Experian, another credit reporting agency, announced that 15 million people had their personal information hacked. This included names, addresses, birthdates, and social security numbers.
- November 2017: The United States Department of Homeland Security revealed that the personal information of nearly 200,000 people had been hacked. This included social security numbers, addresses, and dates of birth.
These hacks have affected millions of people and have led to concerns about the safety of personal information.
Who’s been hacked?
There have been a number of high-profile hacks in recent years. In 2016, the Democratic National Committee was hacked, and sensitive information about Hillary Clinton and her campaign was leaked. In 2017, Equifax, a major credit reporting agency, was hacked, and the personal information of over 145 million people was exposed. In 2018, several major social media platforms were hacked, including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. And just last year, the hotel chain Marriott was hacked, and the personal information of over 500 million guests was exposed.
These hacks have had a major impact on the companies and individuals involved. The Democratic National Committee saw a sharp decline in support after the hack. Equifax’s stock price plummeted after the hack was made public. And Marriott is facing lawsuits from guests who had their personal information exposed.
Hacks can have a major impact on businesses and individuals. They can cause financial damage, reputation damage, and even physical harm. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect yourself from hackers.
Methods of attack
There have been a number of recent hacks incidents where sensitive data has been stolen. In most cases, the attackers have used one of two methods to gain access to the data.
The first method is known as phishing. This involves sending an email that looks like it is from a legitimate company or website. The email will usually contain a link that leads to a fake website. Once on the fake website, the user is asked to enter their login details. Once the attacker has these details, they can gain access to the account and any sensitive data that is stored there.
The second method of attack is known as SQL injection. This involves injecting malicious code into a website’s database. The attacker can then access the data that is stored in the database. This method can be used to steal login details, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information.
Both of these methods are becoming increasingly common. It is important to be aware of them and take steps to protect yourself from them.
Protecting your business
There have been a number of high-profile hacking incidents in recent years. This has led many businesses to reassess their security measures.
There are a number of steps that businesses can take to protect themselves from hackers. Firstly, they should ensure that their software and systems are up to date. Hackers often target out-of-date software as it is easier to exploit. Businesses should also have strong passwords and security measures in place. They should also educate their employees about the importance of cyber security and what they can do to keep their systems safe.
By taking these steps, businesses can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of a hacking incident.
Conclusion
Despite the efforts of security teams around the world, hacks are becoming more and more common. As we have seen in 2020, no organization is safe from these incidents. The best we can do is to be aware of the risks and take steps to minimize them. By staying informed and up-to-date on the latest security threats, we can all play a part in keeping our organizations and data safe.
