Technology

What You Should Know About the Meta and Apple Data Breach

The recent news of a data breach at Apple Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. has many people wondering what exactly happened and how it will affect them. Here’s what you need to know about the situation.

Apple and Meta provided customer data to hackers in response to emergency data requests. This data included email addresses, usernames, and passwords. Normally, companies like Apple and Meta would require a warrant or subpoena before releasing this type of information, but the hackers were able to bypass these measures by using a phishing attack to gain access.

Once the hackers had access to the data, they were able to download it and view it in plain text. The hackers then emailed the customer data to themselves and posted it online.

Snap Inc. received a forged legal request from the same hackers, but it’s unknown if they were able to gain access to any customer data.

The hackers have not been identified, but it’s believed that they are minors located in the U.K. and the U.S. One of the minors is also believed to be  associated with the cybercrime group Lapsus$, which hacked Microsoft Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. and Nvidia Corp.

The data breach has caused concern among many people, especially those who use Apple or Meta products. However, there are some things you can do to protect yourself from becoming a victim of this type of attack.

  • ​​Make sure you have a good antivirus program installed on your computer and that it’s up to date. This will help protect you from any malware the hackers may try to send your way. Information technology services can also help you secure your devices.
  • Change your passwords and security questions for any accounts that used the same password or security question as your Apple or Meta account. These hackers now have this information, so it’s best to change it as soon as possible. To avoid data breaches, it is equally important to keep your internal data secure while the business is booming. Nowadays, business owners use password managers like PSONO, LastPass, or Keeper to protect their data.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on any accounts that offer it. This will make it much harder for hackers to gain access to your account even if they have your password.
  • Be extra vigilant about any emails or links you click on, even if they seem to come from a trusted source. Hackers are often able to spoof emails and websites to make them look like they’re from a legitimate company. If you’re unsure about a link or email, it’s best to err on the side of caution and not click on it.
  • Keep an eye on your credit report and financial accounts for any unusual activity. If you see anything that looks suspicious, report it to your bank or credit card company immediately.

By following these steps you can help protect yourself from becoming a victim of this type of attack. Stay vigilant and be aware of the signs of phishing attacks so you can avoid them in the future.

Chris Turn

Chris Turn is the pseudonym of a journalist and writer who has published short stories, essays, and criticism in the Los Angeles Times, the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, and the New York Times. Her most recent book, a novel, is The Summoning (The HarperCollins Canada, 2014). She lives with her husband in Toronto.

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