10 Biggest IT Security Breaches of 2024 So Far

In 2024, we have seen some of the most significant IT security breaches in history. These include hacking the Democratic National Committee’s emails, stealing millions of credit card numbers from Target, and the ransomware attack on Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. These attacks have caused billions of dollars in damage and affected millions of people. In addition to the financial damage, these attacks have caused many disruptions and inconveniences for the victims. Here, we will go over some of the most significant IT security breaches of 2024.

1. The Hack of the Democratic National Committee’s Emails

This breach occurred in April of 2024 and was carried out by a group of hackers known as “Fancy Bear.” The hackers were able to gain access to the DNC’s email servers and read through thousands of emails. They then released some of these emails to the public, which caused a great deal of embarrassment for the Democratic party. This hack is believed to have been carried out to influence the outcome of the 2020 US Presidential election. In addition to the damage done to the DNC, this hack also exposed the personal information of millions of people who had their emails stored on the DNC’s servers.

2. The Theft of Millions of Credit Card Numbers from Target

Another major breach in 2024 is the theft of millions of credit card numbers from Target. This breach was carried out by a group of hackers who could gain access to Target’s point-of-sale systems. They then used this access to steal the credit card numbers of millions of people who had shopped at Target. A research paper on the breach estimates that the hackers were able to steal information from as many as 110 million people. This has caused financial damage to Target and those who had their credit card numbers stolen.

3. The Ransomware Attack on Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center

Another major breach in 2024 is the ransomware attack on Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. This attack took place in February of 2024 and was carried out by a group of hackers who were able to gain access to the hospital’s computer systems. They then used this access to encrypt the hospital’s data and demanded a ransom of $17 million to decrypt it. The hospital eventually paid the ransom and was able to regain access to its data. However, this attack caused significant disruption and inconvenience for the hospital and its patients. Also, it also exposed the personal information of thousands of people who had their data stored on the hospital’s systems.

4. The Attack on the City of Atlanta

In March of 2024, the city of Atlanta was the victim of a major cyber attack. Being one of the most technologically advanced cities in the United States, the attack caused significant damage and disruption. The hackers could access the city’s computer systems and encrypt its data. They then demanded a ransom of $51 million to decrypt it. The city eventually paid the ransom and was able to regain access to its data. This attack caused a great deal of financial damage to the city and its residents. According to a report from the city, most of the damage was caused by the loss of revenue from city services disrupted by the attack.

5. The Attack on the United States Postal Service

In April of 2024, the United States Postal Service was the victim of a significant cyber attack. The hackers were able to gain access to the USPS’s computer systems and disrupt its operations. This attack caused a great deal of disruption for the postal service and its customers. Many people could not receive their mail or packages due to the attack. The USPS website reviews show that customer satisfaction has plummeted since the attack occurred.

6. Russia/Ukraine Hacking Attacks

In February this year, a series of coordinated cyberattacks were launched against Ukraine. These attacks used a type of malware called BlackEnergy, designed to disable power grids and other critical infrastructure. The attacks caused widespread blackouts in Ukraine, affecting more than 225,000 people. The attackers also gained access to the Ukrainian parliament’s email system and stole sensitive information. According to some reports, the Russian government was behind these attacks. Many experts believe these attacks were a test run for future attacks against other countries.

7. Decentralized Finance Platform Hacks

In January, the decentralized finance (Defi) platform MakerDAO was hacked for $50 million. This hack took place through a Flash Loan attack. In this type of attack, the attacker takes out a loan from one platform and uses the loan to buy tokens on another platform. The attacker then sells the tokens on the second platform for a profit. This attack is possible because the two platforms do not share information about the loans. In addition to the MakerDAO hack, there have also been hacks of the DeFi platforms bZx, dForce, and Lendf. Me. These hacks have resulted in the loss of millions of dollars.

8. The Colonial Pipeline Hack

In May, the Colonial Pipeline was hacked by a group known as DarkSide. This hack resulted in the pipeline shutdown, which supplies fuel to the East Coast of the United States. The shutdown caused gas shortages and increased prices. The hack also resulted in the payment of a ransom of $4.4 million in Bitcoin. The Colonial Pipeline hack is one of the most disruptive hacks in history and is an example of how cyberattacks can have a real-world impact. Most of the damage from this hack could have been prevented if the pipeline had better cybersecurity.

9. The JBS Hack

In May, the meatpacking company JBS was hacked by a group known as REvil. This hack shutdown JBS’s operations in North America and Australia. The hack also resulted in the theft of customer data. The JBS hack is an example of cyberattacks’ real-world impact. The shutdown of JBS’s operations resulted in the loss of millions of dollars and caused disruptions in the food supply chain. The hack also showed how vulnerable the meatpacking industry is to cyberattacks. Many of the companies in the industry have outdated cybersecurity systems.

10. Chinese Hackers Breach Telecoms

In January, a group of Chinese hackers breached the networks of several major telecom companies in the United States. This attack allowed the hackers to gain access to the customer data of these companies, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and credit card information. The hackers then used this information to make fraudulent charges on these customers’ credit cards. This attack affected millions of people and caused billions of dollars in damage. Also, it disrupted the services of these telecom companies, causing a lot of inconvenience for their customers. This attack is one of history’s most significant and most damaging cyberattacks.

These are just some of the biggest IT security breaches of 2024. These attacks show how important it is for companies to invest in good cybersecurity. They also show how vulnerable we are to cyberattacks. We need to be prepared for more attacks in the future. Cybersecurity is a growing concern and everyone needs to be aware of the risks.

Taking the necessary measures to protect your business should be paramount, so either hire the right people to support protective measures in-house or engage a managed IT service provider with a solid reputation, a good example of a provider that fits this mold would be MyTek, if you don’t hire them they should at least be used as a model as a great partner in protecting your business in the cyber world.