Tag: cybersecurity

Dangers of the Quora data breach

The dangers of the Quora data breach cannot be understated, especially when the incident reportedly affected up to 100m users!

Just yesterday we wrote about the issue of reusing passwords and user credentials across multiple sites. Doing so can put you at far greater risks than you may even realise. One of the key things it means is that your credentials breached in an attack could be used to break into other platforms you use. Facebook is a prime example with billions of users and a feature that lets you log into other platforms using your Facebook credentials.

On that basis, the dangers of an incident like this Quora one simply cannot be understated.

The risks of reusing passwords

Thousands of people have contacted us for help with data breach claims. Victims can be entitled to make a claim for compensation. The risks of reusing passwords is one of the first things people may need to consider.

The advice is to never reuse the same passwords and user credentials across different platforms. Despite this, people still do it. It means that being the victim of one simple breach could lead to several accounts being accessed. In fact, it could even mean those credentials are used to hack into a business you are employed with.

There’s a great deal that many people may not consider when it comes to reusing passwords and usernames. The mindset needs to change!

Latest in the Marriott data leak

Posted by Matthew on March 08, 2019 in the following categories: Claims Cybersecurity Group Action Hacking News Security and tagged with compensation | cybersecurity | Group Action | personal data

We can help you make a claim for compensation as a victim of the massive Marriott data leak. Here’s a little about the latest since news broke of the incident.

OK, so we have some 500 million customers across the world who are potentially affected by the leak. The leak stems from a breach of their Starwood reservation systems since 2014 and has resulted in a wealth of data being exposed. As well as personal information, account details and bank card information has also been exposed.

Marriott has taken a number of steps in the aftermath of the breach, and legal actions have been initiated.

Coffee Meets Bagel data breach revealed on Valentine’s Day

The Coffee Meets Bagel data breach was unfortunately revealed on Valentine’s Day. I.e. a dating app revealed a breach on the day of love and romance…

With the data breach reportedly having happened on 11^th February 2019, I suppose its just a case of bad timing that notifications ended up being on Valentine’s Day. Either way, the American-based dating service that is used in the UK has suffered a breach.

This isn’t the first dating website that has been targeted for a data breach. We doubt it will be the last as well.

Huge 500px data breach

There’s been another huge security incident announced. This time it’s the 500px data breach that may have affected all 15 million of its worldwide users.

The Canada-based online photography networking platform (that also has an app) is understood to have identified security issue last year. However, it’s taken some six months for the organisation to discover that they’ve been breached.

The length of time that’s passed is particularly worrying. It means that victims of the 500px data breach may have already been targeted by criminals. Victims may have had no idea that their data had been exposed given that news of the breach has only just hit the headlines.

Is your phone recording you?

Posted by Matthew on February 28, 2019 in the following categories: Cybersecurity Hacking News Mobile Data Scammers Security and tagged with apps | cyber crime | cybersecurity | online security | personal data

The typical answer as to the popular question “is your phone recording you?” is often “no”, according to many. However, you may not be aware that some things can be recorded, and you may not be aware of it.

According to a recent investigation by TechCrunch and The App Analyst, some popular apps may be recording user data without proper – or more explicit – permission or understanding. The investigation reportedly looked at a range of apps and found ways in which the companies or the developers could record and store data they may not have permission for.

That’s worrying; especially in the era of continual breaches linked to apps, and ongoing concerns as to how much the likes of Siri or Alexa are taking in when they’re waiting for our commands…

Airbus data breach

Posted by Matthew on February 27, 2019 in the following categories: Cybersecurity Hacking News Latest Security and tagged with cyber attack | cybersecurity | database security | personal data

News of the Airbus data breach has hit the headlines over the last few weeks. As yet another aviation sector breach, the news is incredibly worrying.

It’s understood that some form of cyber incident has taken place. Airbus’ information systems for their commercial aircraft business appears to have been hit. As a result of the Airbus data breach, it’s understood that some personal data has been accessed, according to the company’s statement on the incident.

With Airbus not only being in the civil sector but also the military sector, this kind of breach is worrying. News of this breach comes just months after the monumental British Airways data breach we’re running an action for. The aviation sector is clearly being targeted.

Concerns raised over Anglesey Council data breach threats

Posted by Matthew on February 26, 2019 in the following categories: Council Cybersecurity and tagged with council | council data breaches | cybersecurity | data controllers

warning about employees stealing data for personal contact with customers

A recent report has highlighted concerns over the threat of an Anglesey Council data breach incident after risks were identified as part of an internal audit.

The audit results indicated a need for improvement when it comes to Anglesey Council’s IT network. At least two risks identified as “major” were also reported, and the report is said to have confirmed that there was only “reasonable assurance” that their systems were safe from potential breach incidents.

With council data breach compensation claims being one of the more common types of cases we help people with, the growing numbers of threats and actual breaches local authorities are facing is a problem that needs to be resolved.

Hackers selling stolen medical records online

It’s true that there’s an issue with hackers selling stolen medical records, normally on the dark web. The problems this can cause for victims can be huge.

Some people may not even be aware that their medical data has been stolen. Even the organisation(s) the data has been stolen from may not (yet) even be aware. Some victims of medical record hacks find out because of an instance of online exposure, or even successful or attempted cases of identity theft.

Claims for medical data breach compensation are some of the most common types of cases we deal with. The healthcare sector is a target, so know your rights if you end up being the victim of hackers selling stolen medical records related to you.

Deliveroo data breach incident reported to ICO

A Deliveroo data breach “incident” is said to have been reported to the ICO who have confirmed that they’re making inquiries.

Back in 2016, the food delivery company faced scrutiny after customers complained of fraudulent transactions on their accounts. In some cases, it appeared the issues were down to people’s credentials being stolen in hacks completely separate to Deliveroo. Criminals had used stolen credentials to access accounts in cases where credentials were reused.

Deliveroo were subsequently criticised over what some customers felt was a failure to spot and stop fraudulent transactions. In this latest incident, it appears that history may be repeating itself.