In a recent alarming development, 71 million AT&T customers have had their personal information exposed on the dark web. This breach, as reported by Bleeping Computer, occurred when a “threat actor” known as ShinyHunters posted an ad on the RaidForums offering to sell sensitive data allegedly obtained from AT&T in 2021.
The leaked information includes names, addresses, mobile phone numbers, encrypted social security numbers, encrypted birth dates, and more. Despite AT&T’s denial of being the source of this data, cybersecurity firms confirmed its accuracy. AT&T stated that the leaked data did not originate from its systems but has yet to address whether it could have come from a third-party provider.
Even today, AT&T maintains its stance that there was no data breach on their end. However, customers should remain vigilant as another threat actor named MajorNelson recently shared more leaked data for free on a hacking forum. This reinforces the importance of staying alert and taking necessary precautions to protect personal information.
If you were an AT&T customer in or before 2021, here are some tips to safeguard your data:
– Be cautious of text messages or emails asking you to click on links.
– Beware of phishing attempts requesting personal information.
– If you receive notifications about a SIM card replacement without requesting one, contact your carrier immediately.
It is crucial to stay informed and proactive in safeguarding your personal information in today’s digital age. Stay tuned for updates and take steps to secure your data online.