Scribd
Upload
14 views3 pages

Untitled Document - Edited

In January 2020, Microsoft experienced a significant data breach exposing 250 million customer records due to misconfigured security rules, highlighting critical lapses in their security protocols. Similarly, in April 2021, Facebook faced a breach affecting over 533 million users, attributed to a vulnerability that had been previously patched, emphasizing the importance of timely updates and monitoring. Both incidents underscore the necessity for robust security measures and vigilant oversight to protect sensitive customer information.

Uploaded by

viettrnhng
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
14 views3 pages

Untitled Document - Edited

In January 2020, Microsoft experienced a significant data breach exposing 250 million customer records due to misconfigured security rules, highlighting critical lapses in their security protocols. Similarly, in April 2021, Facebook faced a breach affecting over 533 million users, attributed to a vulnerability that had been previously patched, emphasizing the importance of timely updates and monitoring. Both incidents underscore the necessity for robust security measures and vigilant oversight to protect sensitive customer information.

Uploaded by

viettrnhng
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Data Breach Report: Microsoft (2020)

Incident Overview: In January 2020, a significant data breach occurred involving Microsoft. A
database containing a staggering 250 million customer records spanning 14 years was discovered
unsecured and accessible online without password protection. This incident pointed to a
substantial lapse in security protocols.

1. Victims and Impacts of Damage:

 The breach impacted a vast number, specifically 250 million, of Microsoft customer
records, making it one of the most significant breaches in recent history.
 The data primarily consisted of customer service and support logs, capturing global
interactions between Microsoft support agents and customers. While some personally
identifiable information was redacted, many records included plain text data. These
records encompassed email addresses, IP addresses, geographical locations, detailed
descriptions of customer service claims, Microsoft support agent emails, case numbers,
resolutions, and confidential internal notes.

1. Method of Leak:

 The breach resulted from misconfigured security rules on the server housing the
Microsoft customer services and support data. The breach indicated a critical oversight in
security configuration, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive customer information.
 The database was available to anyone with access to a web browser, requiring no
authentication. This crucial lapse in access controls significantly contributed to the
exposure of such extensive customer data.

1. Security Control or Mechanism for Prevention:

 Regular Audits of Security Groups: Routine audits of security groups and firewall rules
are paramount to ensure they function as intended, preventing unauthorized access and
potential breaches.
 Immediate Notification of Misconfigurations: Implementing mechanisms to detect and
notify security staff of any misconfigurations promptly is crucial. Implementation of such
allows for swift remediation of any identified security lapses.
 Timely Patching and Remediation: In the event of identified vulnerabilities or
misconfigurations, prompt action should be taken to rectify the issue and prevent
unauthorized access. This ensures that any security lapses are swiftly addressed and
mitigated.

Microsoft responded commendably by securing the servers within 24 hours of being notified.
Despite no malicious use of the data being discovered, this incident is a stark reminder of the
critical need for robust data security measures and vigilant monitoring to protect sensitive
customer information.
References: Diachenko, B. (2020, January 22). Microsoft Security Shocker As 250 Million
Customer Records Exposed Online. Forbes.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2020/01/22/microsoft-security-shocker-as-250-
million-customer-records-exposed-online/?sh=745cb5d95a8b

Data Breach Report: Facebook (2021)


Incident Overview: In April 2021, a significant data breach involving Facebook occurred. A
low-level hacking forum posted the personal data of over 533 million Facebook users. This
breach exposed many information, including phone numbers, full names, locations, email
addresses, and biographical information.

1. Victims and Impacts of Damage:

 The breach had a far-reaching impact, affecting over 533 million Facebook users from
106 countries. Among those, millions of records pertained to users in the US, UK, and
India, demonstrating the extensive scale of the incident.
 The exposed information included a comprehensive dataset containing phone numbers,
Facebook IDs, names, locations, birthdates, bios, and, in some cases, email addresses.
This extensive data set provides cybercriminals with information for potential
exploitation.

1. Method of Leak:

 The data leak resulted from a vulnerability that Facebook had patched in 2019,
suggesting that the data scraper gained access to the platform, highlighting a critical lapse
in patch management and protection.
 The identified weakness resided in Facebook's security protocols, allowing unauthorized
access to user data. This security lapse played a pivotal role in the breach.

1. Security Control or Mechanism for Prevention:

 Timely Patching of Vulnerabilities: Promptly patching identified vulnerabilities is


essential for preventing data breaches and maintaining data security.
 Continuous Monitoring: Implementing continuous monitoring for suspicious activities
is essential, enabling organizations, companies, and businesses to detect and respond to
breaches quickly, minimizing potential damage.
 Multi-factor Authentication (MFA): Encouraging or mandating the use of multi-factor
authentication for user accounts provides an additional layer of security, making it more
challenging for unauthorized parties to gain access.

These incidents underscore organizations' need to implement robust security measures and
maintain vigilance in safeguarding sensitive data from unauthorized access and potential
breaches. Additionally, organizations must prioritize routine audits and take swift action to
address any identified security lapses.
References: Holmes, A. (2021, April 4). Five hundred thirty-three million Facebook users'
phone numbers and personal data have been leaked online. Business Insider.
https://www.businessinsider.com/533-million-facebook-users-phone-numbers-personal-data-
leaked-online-2021-4

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy