The Equifax data breach discovered in July 2017 released the personal information of over 40 percent of U.S. consumers into cyberspace. The consequences of that hacking are not yet clear, but one thing is certain. Equifax was not the first nor will it be the last company to suffer from hacker attacks. Let's take a look at some of the bigger security breaches in recent years.
Hacking the Government
Wikileaks received top-secret data from CIA files when hackers broke through the government security systems. The information contained intelligence on CIA activities, along with information about breaking into iPhones and Android devices and smart TVs. But the CIA is not alone when it comes to government breaches. Records were stolen from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management in two separate but linked hacks, discovered in 2014 and 2015, affecting millions of current and former federal employees.Hacks Against Law Enforcement
Another hack only discovered in 2017 involved Police One, a law enforcement forum accessed by police and federal law enforcement agents. The site still used outdated software and easy-to-crack passwords. No matter who you are, vulnerability to hackers is a real threat. Using a comprehensive list of security protocols, including stronger passwords, encryption, and access restrictions, reduces your vulnerability.