2016: the biggest data hacks and breaches

A lot of data hacks and breaches hit the headlines last year. Some of them happened a few years ago and were only revealed in 2016.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest ones to hit the news.

Yahoo

The technology giant Yahoo seems to have been around for as long as the internet has been in existence. However, the company really hasn’t aged well.

What was once a hugely relied on technology company, Yahoo hasn’t kept up with the new kids on the block. Declining in popularity from the late 2000s, Yahoo is not as popular as it once was. Many users have abandoned the server for more up to date and faster providers. However, in leaving, most never went back to delete their accounts or make sure their personal information was removed. In the past few years, Yahoo’s security has been vulnerable to data hacks multiple times. On top of that, without decent tripwire software, Yahoo didn’t even realise there were breaches for years per hack apparently.

So far, we’ve learned that some one billion accounts have been compromised.

Internet of Things DDOS Attacks

A massive DDOS attack was conducted by targeting thousands of household appliances that had access to the internet. Things like webcams and DVRs were used to flood the targets, causing huge social media sites like Twitter and the entertainment provider Netflix to suffer problems.

DNC

A huge hacking scandal managed to spill over into the political world when Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton became a victim of a data breach. Her emails were accessed which led to an FBI investigation that may have cost her the title of President, according to some.

The hackers had hacked into the Democratic National Committee to access their emails, including Ms Clinton’s. The hacker’s actions caused Debbie Wasserman Schultz to resign as Chair of the DNC.

San Bernardino

The FBI caused controversy and conflict with phone giant, Apple, in their efforts to find out more about the San Bernardino terrorists. Their actions left many wondering just how far the government can go in the name of law enforcement, but at the same time, if they can barge into our homes in suspicion of illegal activity, why not our phones?

Three Mobile

The prominent mobile phone provider was hacked when someone managed to use an employee’s login details to gain access to the customer database. The hack left millions of exposed to potential risks of their personal information being abused, and a definite risk of losing all confidence in Three.

Tesco Bank

Tesco bank made headlines for all the wrong reasons when it was announced that they may be the very first bank to have been hacked and actually have money taken from them. Over £2.5 million was stolen from 20,000 customers’ account. A further 20,000 customers were affected in the breach by having their personal information exposed.

The embarrassing fiasco was met by a fairly swift response, with affected customers reimbursed of their stolen money a day later. However, for those who didn’t have any emergency money elsewhere, not being able to access their bank account for an entire day would have been extremely problematic.