MILWAUKEE – Billions of records containing Americans’ private information have been made public. Exhibited for On the dark web.
The cybercrime group USDoD claimed to have stolen records in April from National General Dataa background check company. NPD collects data from public records databases, national and state databases, and court records.
Stolen information includes names, address dates, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and aliases.
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“This data was initially put up for sale on the dark web for $3.5 million, and then just two days later, bad guys gave it away for free, so this information will be used and abused many different times,” said Alex Holden, Microsoft’s chief information security officer. Security contract.
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He said more than 200 million people could be affected by the breach.
According to them WebsiteNPD services are used by private investigators, consumer public records sites, human resources, employment agencies, and more.
“This is one of the largest exposures in terms of volume to us Americans and our data,” Holden said.
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The National Public Statements acknowledged the security incident on its website. Website.
Affected individuals may be at risk of identity theft and financial fraud.
“The fact that this information was stolen and the fact that it was not properly encrypted and protected is what concerns me most,” Holden said.
Class action lawsuit It was submitted. In U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale.
Holden showed TMJ4 News how easy it is to access the dark web and access data.
It is the latest in a series of high-profile hacking cases.
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“I’m worried but I also realize that I can’t do anything about it because the people in power won’t do anything about it,” Shannon said.
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TMJ4 News went to the Milwaukee Public Market to gauge the level of anxiety among people in the wake of this major breach.
“It was something in the back of my mind, but it’s definitely at the forefront of my mind now,” Darius said.
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Cybersecurity experts like Holden started noticing messages on the dark web a few weeks ago regarding the hack.
An investigation is currently underway into how the data was stolen and why it was not better protected.
“I think we will get more guidance in the coming weeks, including from the government and relevant agencies, which will hopefully give us more peace of mind about how we are protecting ourselves as the investigation continues,” Holden said.
Holden advised people to be vigilant and use good cybersecurity hygiene. That means changing passwords, not clicking on suspicious links, and keeping their devices up to date.
He also said it’s a good idea to lock your credit with all three credit agencies and sign up for credit and identity protection.
“Continue with your daily life, but be more aware of cybersecurity and its impact,” Holden said. “Protect your identity with the tools available.”
NPD said it will attempt to notify those affected by the breach.
Equifax: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services Or 1-800-685-1111
Experian: experian.com/help Or 1-888-397-3742
Transunion: transunion.com/credit-help Or 1-888-909-8872
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