The 21st century has seen a massive increase in the amount of data that companies collect and store. However, with the increased amount of data comes the increased risk of data breaches.
Recent Large-Scale Data Breaches
Learning about data breaches, whether for personal knowledge or for preventative measures, provides an understanding of cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities that can compromise the security and confidentiality of sensitive information. Here’s a list of the 10 biggest data breaches of the 21st century.
1. Equifax (2017)
In 2017, Equifax, one of the largest credit bureaus in the United States, suffered a data breach that compromised the personal information of 147 million people. The breach was caused by a vulnerability in Equifax’s web application software, and the attackers were able to access names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive data.
2. Yahoo (2013-2014)
Between 2013 and 2014, Yahoo suffered a data breach that affected all 3 billion of its user accounts. The breach included names, email addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth. The attackers also obtained encrypted passwords, but Yahoo claimed that the passwords were not compromised.
3. Target (2013)
In 2013, Target suffered a data breach that affected 110 million customers. The attackers were able to access customers’ names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, as well as credit and debit card information.
4. Marriott International (2018-2019)
Between 2018 and 2019, Marriott International suffered a data breach that compromised the personal information of up to 500 million guests. The breach included names, addresses, phone numbers, passport numbers, and other sensitive data.
5. Anthem (2015)
In 2015, Anthem, one of the largest health insurance companies in the United States, suffered a data breach that compromised the personal information of 80 million customers. The breach included names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and other sensitive data.
6. eBay (2014)
In 2014, eBay suffered a data breach that compromised the personal information of 145 million users. The breach included names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, and encrypted passwords.
7. JPMorgan Chase (2014)
In 2014, JPMorgan Chase suffered a data breach that affected 76 million households and 7 million small businesses. The breach included names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, as well as internal information about the bank’s systems and controls.
8. LinkedIn (2012)
In 2012, LinkedIn suffered a data breach that affected 167 million users. The breach included email addresses and passwords.
9. Heartland Payment Systems (2008)
In 2008, Heartland Payment Systems suffered a data breach that affected more than 130 million credit and debit cards. The breach included names, card numbers, and other sensitive data.
10. Capital One (2019)
In 2019, Capital One suffered a data breach that compromised the personal information of 100 million customers in the United States and 6 million in Canada. The breach included names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers. Additionally, the breach exposed 140,000 Social Security numbers and 80,000 linked bank account numbers of secured credit card customers. The alleged hacker, Paige Thompson, was arrested and charged with several counts of computer fraud and abuse.
These 10 data breaches highlight the need for companies to prioritize data security and take proactive measures to prevent cyber attacks. Companies must not only invest in robust cybersecurity infrastructure but also establish strong data privacy policies and employee training programs to prevent human error and vulnerabilities.
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