AT&T, the largest telecommunications company in the United States, recently disclosed a concerning discovery: a dataset for sale on the “dark web” containing information of approximately 7.6 million current and 65.4 million former AT&T account holders, totaling around 73 million affected accounts.
The released data includes passcodes (PIN numbers) and Social Security numbers dating back to 2019 or earlier, but does not encompass personal financial data or call history. However, it may include email and mailing addresses, phone numbers, and birthdates.
In response, AT&T has notified all customers via email or mail to reset their passcodes. It’s crucial for AT&T customers to scrutinize any password-change requests, ensuring they originate from AT&T to thwart potential cybercriminals attempting to exploit the breach by sending deceptive emails with malicious links. If in doubt, contact AT&T support directly for assistance in resetting passcodes.
The origin of the breach remains uncertain, with investigations underway to determine whether it stemmed from AT&T or one of its vendors. AT&T is deploying computer forensics specialists to uncover the root cause and is tasked with eradicating any malware from its customer account system while maintaining service for unaffected customers. However, addressing this issue entails substantial expenses, including investigation costs, legal fees, and potential lawsuits.
At Mirrored Storage, we emphasize proactive cybersecurity measures as a fundamental strategy. While no system is impervious to attacks, robust security measures significantly reduce the risk of breaches. Dealing with the aftermath of a cyber-attack far outweighs the cost of prevention.
If you’re concerned about your organization’s security, we offer a complimentary Security Assessment conducted by our team of cybersecurity experts. This assessment examines your network for vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit and provides recommendations for enhancing security measures, including collaboration with third-party vendors to fortify data protection.
Hackers employ various tactics to infiltrate networks, but as a CEO, your priority is fortifying defenses. We’re committed to assisting you in safeguarding your organization. Schedule your Security Risk Assessment with our cybersecurity experts by clicking here or contacting our office at 214-550-0550. Protecting your data integrity and security is our top priority.