Technology
Unprotected server exposed data on 80 million US households
Follow @https://twitter.com/PCMag
PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.
A cloud server operated by Microsoft has been leaking the personal data of 80 million U.S. households including people’s full names, physical addresses, and dates of birth.
A pair of Israeli security researchers say they discovered the unprotected database while working on a web mapping project with VPN review site vpnMentor. In addition to names and addresses, the 24GB database also stored coded information on people’s gender, marital status, income levels, and whether they’ve been a homeowner.
Who owns the data on the server isn’t known. However, the mysterious party decided to itemize all the information by household, instead of individuals. Each record was also accompanied by a “member_code” and “score” entry.
“This open database is a goldmine for identity thieves and other attackers,” vpnMentor said. For instance, the trove of information could help hackers target the wealthy or people based on age.
But before you freak out, it isn’t clear how accurate all the information inside the database is or if bad actors ever found it. There’s also a staggering amount of data already available about everyone on Google search, Whitepages, social media and people finding services.
The good news is that the server has been pulled from the public internet. “We have notified the owner of the database and are taking appropriate steps to help the customer remove the data until it can be properly secured,” Microsoft said in a statement. However, it declined to name the customer.
The incident is another troubling example of someone failing to secure an online server containing the records on millions of people.
This article originally published at PCMag
here
-
Entertainment7 days ago
Earth’s mini moon could be a chunk of the big moon, scientists say
-
Entertainment7 days ago
The space station is leaking. Why it hasn’t imperiled the mission.
-
Entertainment6 days ago
‘Dune: Prophecy’ review: The Bene Gesserit shine in this sci-fi showstopper
-
Entertainment5 days ago
Black Friday 2024: The greatest early deals in Australia – live now
-
Entertainment4 days ago
How to watch ‘Smile 2’ at home: When is it streaming?
-
Entertainment3 days ago
‘Wicked’ review: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo aspire to movie musical magic
-
Entertainment2 days ago
A24 is selling chocolate now. But what would their films actually taste like?
-
Entertainment3 days ago
New teen video-viewing guidelines: What you should know