On 19 July 2024, a global tech outage paralyzed countries, raising questions about whether it was a flawed update or a cyber-attack. It was confirmed that the incident was caused by a routine update, which led to cascading chaos, affecting banks, airports, retail, and law enforcement worldwide.
But is that what we’re meant to believe? Cyberattacks happen more often than we’re aware of. Here are the 10 biggest cyber attacks in history:
1. WannaCry Ransomware Attack
The WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017 spread rapidly, affecting 230,000 computers across 150 countries. It exploited a vulnerability in Windows called EternalBlue, which a hacker group had leaked. Despite a patch being available, many systems remained unprotected. Sensitive information, including names, addresses, passport numbers, and some encrypted credit card information, was compromised. Numerous personal details were exposed in this hack. Hackers could obtain this information. For several years, the hack, which started in 2014, remained undiscovered.
2. Yahoo Data Breach
Yahoo experienced one of the largest data breaches in history in 2014, with 500 million accounts compromised. Hackers accessed personal data, such as names, email addresses, birth dates, and security questions. Users were exposed to identity theft and phishing attempts as a result of the hack, which was not publicized until 2016. Yahoo’s delayed response and the scale of the breach resulted in significant reputational and financial consequences, including a $117.5 million settlement.
3. The Melissa Virus
When the Melissa virus first appeared in 1999, it traveled quickly over email and caused havoc for big businesses like Microsoft and Intel. It tricked users into infecting their contacts with the malware by sending them a malicious Word document attachment. Melissa spread quickly, overwhelming email systems and disrupting operations across the board. Improved email security and increased awareness of cyber risks were made necessary by this early example of a massive cyberattack.
4. Ukraine Power Grid Attack
In December 2015, a cyber attack on Ukraine’s power grid caused a blackout affecting 230,000 residents. This is the first known instance of a cyber attack causing a power outage. Hackers used malware to remotely control the systems of power distribution companies. The attack highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyber threats and the potential for significant disruption. It emphasized the need for enhanced cybersecurity protocols in essential services.
5. Estonia Cyber Attack
In 2007, Estonia faced one of the first large-scale cyber attacks targeting a nation’s critical infrastructure. Following a political dispute with Russia, a series of Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks overwhelmed Estonia’s government, banking, and media websites. Substantial disruption resulted from the attacks rendering vital web services unavailable. Due to this incident, which brought attention to the susceptibility of national infrastructure to cyber threats, Estonia strengthened its cybersecurity defenses and rose to prominence in the industry.
6. MOVEit
Progress Software revealed a zero-day vulnerability in its file transfer program MOVEit Transfer in May 2023. Attackers were able to access MOVEit servers thanks to this vulnerability and take advantage of consumer data. Several hacker groups, including the notorious Cl0p ransomware gang, exploited this flaw. By September, over 2000 organizations and 60 million individuals were affected, making it one of the largest and most damaging cyber attacks in history. The attack underscored the importance of patching vulnerabilities promptly to protect sensitive data.
7. Adobe Cyber Attack
In 2013, Adobe, a leading software developer, confirmed a cyber attack that compromised over 38 million customer accounts. Hackers gained access to encrypted passwords, credit card details, and email addresses. They also stole source code for popular Adobe products like Photoshop and Acrobat. Adobe’s brand suffered significant damage as a result of the breach that exposed the company’s security vulnerabilities. Legal ramifications were also faced by the corporation. Robust cybersecurity protocols are vital, as demonstrated by the breach. To protect user data and software integrity, several precautions are required.
8. Marriott Hotel Data Breach
Approximately 339 million guests’ personal information was compromised in a data breach that the Marriott Hotel Group experienced in 2018. A name, an address, a passport number, as well as encrypted credit card numbers were among the private data that was stolen. The data’s massive scale and sensitive nature made this breach particularly damaging. Marriott faced significant reputational damage and legal consequences, emphasizing the importance of robust cybersecurity measures.
9. The PlayStation Network Attack
Personal data from 77 million user accounts was stolen as a result of a breach on Sony’s PlayStation Network (PSN) in April 2011. Millions of users’ access to online gaming and other services was disrupted for 23 days when Sony was forced to shut down the PSN systems due to the hack. Sensitive data, including names, addresses, and email addresses, was exposed. Sony faced significant financial losses, legal actions, and a damaged reputation. This breach highlighted the importance of securing online gaming networks and protecting user data.
10. The NASA Cyber Attack
In 1999, a 15-year-old hacker named Jonathon James infiltrated NASA’s computer systems. His actions caused a 21-day shutdown of computers supporting the International Space Station. James accessed source code for critical software and intercepted sensitive emails. Although the scale was smaller compared to later attacks, this incident was significant. It exposed vulnerabilities in high-profile government systems. This highlighted the need for robust cybersecurity measures. Protecting sensitive information and critical infrastructure became a clear priority.
Conclusion
The history of cyber attacks reveals the increasing sophistication and impact of these digital threats. Each incident underscores the critical importance of strong security measures. Massive data breaches have affected millions. Ransomware attacks have crippled essential services.
These ten significant cyber attacks have caused immense financial damage. They have also highlighted vulnerabilities in global systems. Understanding these events helps in preparing for and mitigating future threats in our interconnected world.
source https://eyecatchingconfidence.com/10-biggest-cyber-attacks-in-history-occurring-more-frequently-than-we-realize/
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