A major hack aimed at the widely used file-transfer programme known as MOVEit is putting the personal information of millions of Americans at serious risk. The impact has been significant thus far, even compromising Louisiana and Oregon residents who have driver’s licences or state identification cards, and officials are worried that the number of people affected may rise significantly.
Furthermore, the effects of this breach are extensive, affecting a wide range of businesses and institutions, including colleges, federal and state agencies, and global corporations.
Theft of millions of driver’s licence data
According to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), this attack may have compromised and exposed the data of every person in Louisiana who has a state-issued driver’s licence, identification card, or vehicle registration. Name, address, Social Security number, birth date, height, eye colour, driver’s licence number, vehicle registration information, and handicap placard information, according to the OMV, were likely among the personal details disclosed for those affected. The MOVEit Transfer data breach, according to the Oregon DMV, affected almost 3.5 million Oregonians who have an ID or driver’s licence.
Has anyone else been impacted?
Aside from the people in Oregon and Louisiana who were impacted, a vast number of international corporations, including BBC, British Airways, and Aon, have reported that their data was compromised. The Department of Energy is one of many U.S. federal entities and colleges that have been impacted by the leak. A top U.S. official predicted that this data hack might affect hundreds of businesses.
How did this breach of security occur?
The person who stole this data was able to do so by taking advantage of a bug in MOVEit, a widely used data file-transfer programme created by the Massachusetts-based Progress Software Corp.MOVEit is used by numerous businesses and the US government to transport huge files.
Has the stolen information been sold or made public?
There is currently no evidence that this data has been sold or made public. Federal regulators and cybersecurity professionals have mandated that MOVEit continue to provide information on the intrusion. Unfortunately, the MOVEit team discovered yet another flaw in their programme, which they are currently concentrating on resolving.
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Who is accepting blame for the assault?
The attack is being claimed by a Russian hacking collective by the name of Clop. The organisation has a history of requesting multimillion dollar ransoms. The group has not yet submitted any funding proposals to the US government. Instead, Clop is concentrating on obtaining funding from bigger businesses.
What if my personal data was stolen?
Listed below are some precautions you can take if you live in Louisiana, Oregon, or if you’re just concerned about identity theft:
Actions to do to safeguard yourself from identity fraud
Keep an eye on your accounts.
Check your credit card statements, bank statements, and other financial accounts frequently for any indication of unauthorised activity. Report any suspicious transactions right once to your bank or credit card provider if you come across any.
Post a scam warning
Ask for a fraud alert to be added to your credit file by getting in touch with one of the three main credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). Identity thieves will find it more challenging to register new accounts in your name without verification as a result of this.
Examine your credit reports
Get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three previously listed credit reporting companies. Examine the reports thoroughly for any unauthorised or shady activities. Report any errors or indications of fraud to the credit reporting agency right away.
Put your credit on hold
Take into account freezing your credit records. Your credit file will be more difficult to access as a result, making it more challenging for someone to open new accounts using your information. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of a credit freeze before deciding whether to take action because it can also impair your ability to qualify for new credit.
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Watch out for phishing scams.
Watch out for emails, calls, or messages from someone you don’t know requesting you for personal information. Save your critical information and don’t click on strange URLs until you can confirm the request’s veracity.
Turn on two-factor authentication.
When possible, enable two-factor authentication. By requiring a second form of verification in addition to your password, such as a code delivered to your phone, this offers an additional layer of protection.
Verify your Social Security benefits
In order to protect your financial security and stop any fraud, it is critical to regularly check your Social Security benefits to make sure they have not been tampered with or altered in any way.
Ask the IRS for a “Identity Protection Pin”
Individuals can successfully thwart any attempts by the Internal Revenue Service to file an unauthorised tax return using their personal information by seeking a “Identity Protection Pin” from them.
Make your passwords stronger
Make sure your internet accounts have solid, one-of-a-kind passwords. To create and securely store complicated passwords, think about utilising a password manager.
Spend money on identity theft insurance.
Companies that offer identity theft protection can keep track of personal information like your Social Security number, phone number, and email address and notify you if it is being used to open accounts or sold on the dark web.They can also help you freeze your bank and credit card accounts to stop crooks from using them improperly in the future.
One of the best things about using such services is that they could come with white glove fraud resolution teams that assist you recover any losses and identity theft insurance of up to $1 million to cover damages and legal costs.
Maintain software updates
To guarantee you have the most recent security updates and protections, regularly update your operating system, antivirus programme, web browsers, and other apps.
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How do I find out if my personal data was sold on the dark web?
Visit haveibeenpwned.com and type your email address into the search field to see if your data was sold on the dark web. Your data will be searched for on the website, and it will show you if there have been any data breaches involving your email address on different websites.
