As the use of internet and computer have given ways to some of the prominent and biggest data breaches. It is an alarming stage because all of these technologies are so crucial in our life. What are things we can do about it? We check our email, read the news on it, review our bank statements and look at the weather as well. All these things are much essential but the thing we want to think about it is the possibilities of them being unbalanced security terrible.
Most Biggest Data Breaches in the World
Companies are working and spending a lot to increase security. Despite increases in security, hackers are also looking to find a way to measure. So from the banks to retailers, no target is too much small or big. Because it results in the loss of millions of dollars or more.
Here, we are going to tell you the biggest data breaches of all the time in the world.
13. Anthem (80 Million Accounts)
Anthem security breach in 2015 resulted in the loss of personal information of more than 80 million users. They succeeded to discover the attack and then, contacted the FBI. They offered two years of free credit monitoring soon after that. But on the other hand, the biggest breach resulted in the lawsuit settlement of $115 million.
12. TJX Companies (94 Million Customers)
TJX Companies is one of the biggest American off-price departmental stores. The hack of the company was one of the largest of all the time. According to the reports by the TJX, credit card information of more than 46 million customers has been negotiated. It was reported that the hack actually affected more than 94 million users. Therefore, considered as one of the biggest data breaches.
11. Target (110 Million Accounts)
The target was targeted and credit card breach was one of the biggest in the history. The breach affected more than 110 million users. Credit card information of 40 million people while personal information of 70 million users was stolen. But the breach helped usher in a new upgraded system for purchasing with the credit cards.
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10. Heartland Payment System (130 Million Customers)
We have told you about the hack of Credit Card Payment Company. But, the thing is a little bit different in the case of Heartland Payment System. The hack impacted 130 million users because infected all types of credit cards. As a result, the company has to pay out a settlement of $110 million with Master Card, Visa, and American Express.
9. Equifax (143 Million Customers)
The hack of the Equifax is also one of the biggest data breaches in history. They faced a horrifying security breach, affecting more than 143 million customers. It was one of the dangerous hacks because driving license numbers, social security numbers, birth dates, and credit card numbers were stolen.
8. eBay (145 Million Users)
eBay is one of the most prominent online shopping sites in the world. As hackers stole the email address and password of 145 million users of the company in 2014. As a result, they create a security firestorm for the marketplace. After, they suggest all the users change the password to avoid further tempering and inconvenience. Due to the hack of 145 million accounts, it was one of the biggest data
7. Adobe (150 Million Users)
Adobe needs no introduction because it is the world’s famous software company. Then the network of the Adobe breached, they asked that the information of only 3 million users were affected. After some days, the number grew to 38 million. But on the other hand, an outside party claimed that the breach resulted in the hack of more than 150 million Adobe accounts.
6. Visa, Inc. (160 Million Cards)
Visa is a worldwide famous company. As the hacking groups from Ukraine and Russia stole the credit card information of more than 160 million from J.C. Penney and Visa. The breach resulted in the loss of more than $300 million. Due to loss of huge money, it is one of the Biggest Data Breaches.
5. LinkedIn (165 Million Users)
The hackers stole the IDs and Password information of more than 165 million users. After that, LinkedIn claimed, they have reset the passwords of all the affected users. So, the company asked users to reset their passwords quickly and also use two-step verification as well.
4. MySpace (360 Million Accounts)
It is one of the oldest social media sites. The site had a security breach in 2016 when the hackers stole the information of more than 360 million users. As a result, many users don’t use the website anymore because they are still at potential risk. The hackers stole the username, password, and emails of all the users.
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3. Stuxnet
It is another one of the most sophisticated weapon use for the cybercrime. The hackers used this to slow down the nuclear program of Iran by destroying their centrifuges. The weapons utilized by the Israeli and US forces. As the computer went undetected for many years, as was also the part of the contingency plan called Nitro Zeus. It was one of the biggest plans to target the air defenses, power grid, and communication system of Iran.
2. Adult Friend Finder (412 Million Users)
Another massive breach occurred at Adult Friend Finder, which the company describes as the world’s largest sex and swinger community. The breach resulting in stolen usernames, email addresses, and passwords of 412 million users. Therefore, still considered as one of the biggest data breaches.
1. Yahoo (1 Billion User Accounts)
Last but not least, Yahoo breach has broken down the records of hacks in the world. According to reports, it impacted at least 1 billion accounts of the users. While it is also reported that it goes more than 3 billion. The breach resulted in the hack of birth dates, passwords, telephone numbers, email address, and security questions of the users.
Final Thoughts
Here we have all from the list of biggest data breaches of all the time in the history. Different countries have introduced cyber laws as a result of these breaches. These kinds of attacks affect users very badly. So companies are making the security of the users very strong. We hope you will find some interesting and useful information in this article. If you like, then, share with your friends and comment below in the comment section.
