A major data breach of some 2. 7 billion pieces of data could be accompanied by sensitive private data about each and every user in the U. S. CanadaUnited KingdomTo United States, knowledge comes with social security figures.
The data is believed to come from a company called National Public Data, which collects and sells private data for use in background checks by investigators and others.
Bleeping Computer reports that a hacker attempted to sell this knowledge (the idea then was 2. 9 billion records instead of 2. 7 billion) for $3. 5 million, claiming that it contained records from one or both individuals in one of 3 countries.
Since then, there have been several partial leaks, but what is considered a complete copy of the database can now be downloaded.
The leaked data is made up of two text files totaling 277 GB and containing approximately 2. 7 billion plain text records, instead of the 2. 9 billion initially shared through the USDoD.
While BleepingComputer cannot verify whether this leak includes the data of each and every user in the United States, many other people have shown us that it includes valid data about their own data and that of their family members, including those who have died. .
Each record includes the following information: a person’s name, mailing addresses, and social security number, and some records add more information, such as names related to the person. None of this knowledge is encrypted.
The site notes that this number is much higher than the combined population of the three countries because there is a separate record to indicate where an individual is known to have lived.
Because some operating knowledge is outdated, it is believed that it may have been received from an old backup of the knowledge base, rather than the existing version.
As always, we want to remain vigilant for phishing attacks, which can be more convincing when messages contain non-public data.
The most productive way for you is to never click on links sent via email, even if they look genuine. Always use your own favorites, a Google search, or manually enter a known URL (not the one in the email).
Common schemes used by scammers are emails claiming that your account is at risk of being suspended or closed; that you want to update your login information; that you want to verify or decline an estimated purchase (a very common attack method among Apple users); or acting temporarily to claim an offer that is too smart to be true.
Photo by Benjamin Lehman on Unsplash
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Ben Lovejoy is a British and European 9to5Mac generation. He is known for his opinion pieces and newspaper articles, which explore his experience with Apple products over time, for a more complete critique. He also writes fiction, with two techno-thriller novels, some science fiction short films and a romantic comedy.