Massive Data Leak Exposes Sensitive Personal Data of Millions
A staggering 2.7 billion records, potentially including sensitive personal data for every individual in the US, UK, and Canada, have been leaked online. The data, which originated from National Public Data, a company that collects and sells personal data for background checks, includes social security numbers, names, mailing addresses, and other identifying information.
The Leak
The leaked data consists of two text files totaling 277GB, containing nearly 2.7 billion plaintext records. While the original dataset was reported to be 2.9 billion records, the current leak is believed to be a full copy of the database. The data is not encrypted, making it easily accessible to anyone who downloads it.
Confirmation of Legitimate Information
Multiple individuals have confirmed that the leak includes their personal information, as well as that of their family members, including deceased individuals. Each record contains a person's name, mailing addresses, and social security number, with some records including additional information.
Concerns and Implications
The sheer scale of the leak raises significant concerns about identity theft, fraud, and privacy violations. The fact that the data is not encrypted and includes sensitive information like social security numbers makes it a treasure trove for malicious actors.
Origin of the Data
The data is believed to have come from an old backup of National Public Data's database, rather than the live version. This raises questions about the company's data handling practices and the security measures in place to protect sensitive information.
Take Action
If you're concerned about your personal data being included in the leak, consider taking steps to protect yourself, such as monitoring your credit reports, using identity theft protection services, and being cautious when sharing personal information online.
No comments:
Post a Comment