Hackers Access Data Centers Used by Major Companies, Including Microsoft, Apple
Roughly two thousand companies and a Chinese foreign exchange platform that use two data centers in Asia have had their access logins potentially hacked. GDS Holdings in Shanghai and ST Telemedia Global Data in Singapore are the two major data centers that were breached, according to Bloomberg. At least five customer support websites have been entered with the stolen credentials, which were being sold for $175,000 by the hackers.
The hack was first noticed over a year ago but only became publicly known when it was offered for sale this January. The group of hackers responsible said they had tested some of the logins and found them working, but they were unable to process all the information due to the sheer volume of companies affected.
The list of those possibly impacted includes big names such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alibaba, Goldman Sachs and Walmart; however none would comment on the matter apart from Microsoft who said they take appropriate action whenever potential threats are identified to protect their customers. Goldman Sachs reassured that additional controls were in place to prevent such breaches from happening and their data was safe.
The discovery came about thanks to a cybersecurity research firm who sent an undercover operative into China’s hacking community. Following the reports of a breach, the data centers forced password changes on all their customers.
The consequence of this data breach is still unknown as the hackers remain at large. Companies are advised to stay vigilant and monitor their systems for any suspicious activity, and update their security measures whenever possible.
How Can Big Data Breaches Affect Not Just Companies but Also Regular Users?
Big data breaches can have serious consequences for both companies and regular users. Companies may suffer financial losses, reputational damage, and face legal action if sensitive information is stolen or compromised. For regular users, the impact of a data breach may include identity theft, fraud, or having their personal information sold to third parties without their knowledge. Additionally, hackers may use personal information from a breach to gain access to accounts and other online services, leaving users vulnerable to further attacks. Lastly, a data breach can lead to a loss of trust in the company that was breached and its security protocols. This can cause customers to lose confidence in the company's ability to protect their data and may even discourage them from using the company's products or services in the future.
