Welcome To The Data Leak Lawyers Blog

FTC prove that cyber-hackers can access and use breached data within 9 minutes of it being posted

I’m sure many are curious to find out where and how their data is used after hackers gain access to their information. According to a recent study, hackers are reportedly able to use leaked data within 9 minutes of it being posted.

Mr Salsburg, chief counsel and acting chief of research and investigation project at the FTC (Federal Trade Commission), reiterated the mysteriousness of what happens to data when it’s publicised:

“…there’s a real mystery of what happens to consumer data when it becomes public.”

But the dangers of how quickly it can be used are evident.
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Data leaks caused by mobile phone devices

Many people forget the associated risks that portable digital devices come with. Many may have a false sense of security that computers are the main source of data breaches, but some may be quick to disregard mobile phones as a huge danger for leaking data.

Security researchers note the increased dangers of data leaks as more employees bring their own devices to work. If employees bring their own devices to the workplace, you can count this as an additional avenue for a breach to happen. Mobile devices are easily connected and employees are often allowed to connect mobile devices to their work servers to assist when working in or outside of the office.

You can see it either as another door for a data breach to happen or an opportunity to get inside as the door has been left open or is now weak enough to break in to…
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OneLogin’s data breach – Just how serious was it?

There’s a big demand for cyber security globally as the rise of the digital age continues to pave the way for data breaches, leaks and hacks on an almost continual basis.

Yet despite the rise in cyber security that goes hand in hand with the rise of cybercrime, it seems multiple companies and organisations are still failing in their obligations to protect data securely. In recent news, one of San Francisco Bay area’s most established companies has been hacked, potentially affecting thousands worldwide.
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Peyta ransomware originating in Ukraine has crippled production in Australia as it spreads across the globe.

New malicious software is feared to be highly virulent creating international chaos and disrupting businesses and companies across the globe.

First reports of the cyber-attack originated from the Ukraine; their Government, banks, power and major public transport systems were all affected.

In Australia at 9:30pm on Thursday 27 June 2017, owner of Cadbury chocolate Mondelez was hit by the ransomware with employees faced with a threatening note demanding payment for the safe return of files in an attack similar to the recent WannaCry attack earlier this May.
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77 million user account details hacked from popular education platform Edmodo

Reports of the recent Edmodo data breach inform us that around 77 million unique user account details were stolen from the popular education platform.

This online platform is widely used throughout U.S. and Canadian schools to support learning by allowing students, teachers and parents to access learning plans and homework. Media outlet Motherboard reported that nearly 77 million users account details were for sale on the dark web.
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Work-assigned mobile devices are increasing cyber security risks for organisations

Laptops, phones and tablets are more and more common inside the workplace and out, allowing employees to present information easily, or work outside of the workplace. Company directors are also aware that it’s very common for employees to use such devices for other things like watching videos, reading news, entertainment purposes and accessing social media.

Whether these devices are used for professional or personal use, one thing remains the same: “an enterprise’s security is only as strong as its weakest link”.

These devices can often be the weakest link…
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Unprotected database containing 10 million U.S. vehicle owners’ personal details leaked

Approximately 10 million U.S. vehicle owners’ personal data was left exposed after a massive database containing their information was leaked.

Security researchers from Kromtech Security found the unprotected database split into three main sections which is thought to contain ‘critical and sensitive information’. The first section includes names, addresses, home and work numbers, dates of birth, gender and the number of children over 12 years old.

This information is thought to have been extracted from numerous U.S. based car dealerships.
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Members of Parliament and Peers fall victim to brute force hacking attack

A cyber-attack on the U.K Parliament has prompted concerns over national security as rumours are pointing the finger-of-blame towards a hostile state for the hack.

On the 23^rd June 2017, a “sustained and determined cyber attack” was carried out. The hacker(s) attacked MP and Peer IT systems to reportedly get into their email accounts, and were successful in gaining access into 90 accounts.

Although this is only 1% of the 9,000 accounts on the same system, it’s nevertheless worrying in terms of exactly what information hackers may have obtained…
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Most sensitive and personal data breach in Australia’s history?

In what is being described as “one of the worst data breaches” in Australian history, naked photos and medical records of hundreds of women have been published online.

The Cosmetic Institute in Bondi was hit by the breach where sensitive data of hundreds of patients who undertook cosmetic surgery at the clinic was accessible outside the clinic. The leaked data is thought to include a wealth of very personal data about the affected victims, so this is a very serious breach indeed.
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AA’s data breach: recovery may not be enough this time…

Leading U.K. motoring company the AA is the latest to be involved in a data breach scandal that could end up crippling for customers.

AA President, Edmund King, finally confirmed they were informed of the potential vulnerability of the AA Shop data on 22^nd April 2017.

The motoring company reportedly misled customers by denying they had any knowledge of the leak and tried to reassure customers that their information was very secure. Researchers weren’t convinced this was the case and so decided to dig deeper, and it has since transpired that AA knew about the vulnerability in their database systems back in April.
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