We focus on the latest news surrounding data breaches, leaks and hacks plus daily internet security articles.
Anglesey schools cyberattack: A small island off the coast of Wales, Anglesey does not have many schools, but all five of its secondary schools were reportedly hit by a cyberattack in late June last year.
In the wake of the attack, investigations began to establish whether or not data had been affected and, if so, to what extent. The unknown element of cyberattacks was clearly demonstrated in this incident, with schools left wondering what the complications could be as they scrambled to deal with the assault on their systems.
Unfortunately, cyberattacks have been hitting the education sector with increasing frequency in recent times, calling into question how effectively school cybersecurity can defend against such targeted attacks. Where schools have not done enough to protect personal information, they could be responsible for a breach of data protection law. If you have been affected by an incident like this, you may be eligible to pursue a data protection breach compensation claim.
In recent months, cyberattacks on the education sector have been rising, and Skinners’ Kent schools were among the targets last year. In early June 2021, it was revealed that Skinners’ Kent Academy Trust had reportedly succumbed to a hack, leaving the school unable to stay open.
At their worst, coordinated cyberattacks can make computer systems inoperable, and the hackers who have taken control may be able to steal personal information. Pupil information was likely put at risk in the hack at Skinners’ Kent schools, enabling it to be stolen by the hackers.
Many schools hold highly sensitive information about their pupils, which can heighten the risk to privacy when a data security incident occurs. Schools, like all organisations, have a duty to eliminate such risk as far as possible. Where they fail in this responsibility, they may be in breach of data protection law.
Safestyle UK cyberattack: media reports say a ransomware attack could affect some 400,000 customers, with hackers demanding 4m pounds in Bitcoin.
We look to be in the midst of yet another major cyberattack here in the UK. Safestyle looks to be joining the long list of other companies that include TalkTalk, Equifax, British Airways, Ticketmaster, easyJet, and others who have been involved in events where personal information has been exposed.
We represent thousands of clients for privacy breach cases, including against the companies named above. We are now closely monitoring developments in this latest cyberattack that has been announced over last weekend.
While hospitals and healthcare trusts have always been prime targets for cybercriminals, the reports of increasing healthcare cyberattacks suggest that the hackers are aiming their attacks at the sector with an alarming and greater frequency. The rising numbers of cyberattacks on healthcare organisations have also widely been associated with Covid-19, in line with the wider increase in cybercrime provoked by the pandemic.
In the face of such a significant cybersecurity threat, it is vital that healthcare organisations play their part to protect the personal information that is in their control. In fact, the law requires that all data controllers take steps to ensure that the personal information they process and hold is safeguarded through appropriate organisational and cybersecurity measures. As a result, where they fail to sufficiently protect information and consequently cause it to be compromised or exposed, they could be responsible for a data protection breach.
We understand how distressing healthcare data breaches can be for those affected, given how sensitive medical information is. Our leading, specialist data protection lawyers are here to advocate on your behalf to ensure you can claim compensation for any harm caused.
Today, 28th January 2022, marks Data Privacy Day 2022. This international day of awareness is about promoting the ideas of best practice and safety for the data protection laws we have in place to be effective.
Now, as expert data privacy compensation lawyers, we can only do so much when it comes to helping with advice about preventing an incident. Our specialism really lies in what people can do after their personal information has been misused or exposed, and there is plenty that we can do for you.
It is important for the team here at Your Lawyers, as a leading firm of privacy compensation solicitors, to discuss people’s legal rights on this Data Privacy Day 2022. There is much that we can do to help people now.
Data exposure can cause severe stress and anxiety to those affected, and it can also have a material impact. Many people may not be aware of just how close the cause-and-effect relationship between data breaches and online fraud can be. In fact, there are fraudsters stealing millions every year with the help of stolen information.
Due to the developments of the digital age, technology can now provide a means for fraudsters to expand their practices and develop more sophisticated ways of stealing from victims. Their greatest asset is arguably the wealth of data stores kept by many modern businesses, who take extensive personal details from their employees and customers. If the security of this information becomes compromised in any way, it could equip fraudsters with personal details that allow them to easily and effectively target their victims.
Your Lawyers, as leading, specialist Data Leak Lawyers, has represented many clients who have fallen victim to fraud in the wake of data breaches. If you have been impacted in this way, you may be eligible to claim compensation from those who exposed your information to misuse. Simply contact our team for more information on your potential claim.
The recently reportedly Acorn Stairlifts cyberattack appears to have been an attempt to break into the company’s systems using malware, media reports confirm.
It is not yet known as to whether any information has been exposed or stolen, but the systems that were affected are understood to be back working again.
This is yet another cyberattack that has caused huge disruption, which is a growing trend and has been especially prevalent during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Data breaches can come with a range of different security risks, some of which can make victims vulnerable to financial loss. When a data breach exposes customer billing information, this risk can be even more pronounced, as the details could give cybercriminals direct access to credit cards or bank accounts.
As such, it is highly important that companies store customer payment information securely, and only retain details where absolutely necessary, or where the customer has given express permission for the information to be recorded. If they fail in any of these duties, they could be at fault should an unauthorised third-party gain access to this information.
If you have had any payment information exposed in a data breach, you will probably know how stressful it can be to have the threat of financial crime looming over you. While it can be hard to trace the perpetrators of online theft and fraud, it can be less difficult to punish the data controller responsible for exposing your information. A data breach claim can give victims the opportunity to see that justice is done.
Following a cyberattack that took place in summer 2021 that affected IT provider Cantium, it has been reported that data leaked from Kent schools has now reportedly landed on the dark web.
If this is the case, there could be people whose personal and sensitive information is now in the hands of criminals and fraudsters who could use it to try to commit fraud and theft. Victims of the data breach, whoever they may be, will need to be very careful and vigilant, and steps will need to be taken to protect anyone that could be affected.
In the summer of 2021, it was reported that a UK-based cake maker and retailer had suffered a hack in which customer information was reportedly compromised. The Cake Box data breach was said to have been discovered in 2020, at which point they alerted the affected customers, but the incident appears to have only come to more mainstream media attention earlier this year.
As a company that could hold significant quantities of customer data, the UK cake store chain may have been seen as a valuable target for the attackers. As with all cyberattacks, the data breach raises questions about the strength of the defences that Cake Box had in place, and whether or not the company did all it could to protect customer data. But it also serves to show that any retailer can be a target, and this is something that all organisations must take heed of. And, given how it happened, it also serves as a reminder as to how retailers can be targeted in various ways.
When a data breach occurs, victims can often feel powerless, but we can assure you that it is possible to take action against those responsible. If your data security has been compromised by a third party, you may be eligible for a compensation claim, and we can offer free, no-obligation advice about your case.
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