How did the Equifax data breach occur?
The Equifax data breach was a significant cyber incident that occurred in 2017. It was discovered that hackers had accessed the personal and financial information of millions of consumers who had used Equifax, one of the three major credit reporting agencies in the United States. The hackers accessed the information by exploiting a vulnerability in the company’s web application software, which had not been properly patched.
The data breach affected 147 million people in the United States, as well as millions of people in Canada and the United Kingdom. The hackers accessed a range of sensitive information, including names, Social Security numbers, birthdates, addresses, and driver’s license numbers. They also accessed credit card numbers and other financial information for some individuals.
The data breach had significant consequences for Equifax and the affected individuals. The company faced widespread criticism for its handling of the incident and was subjected to multiple investigations and lawsuits. It also suffered significant financial losses as a result of the breach. Affected individuals faced the risk of identity theft and other forms of fraud, and many had to take steps to protect their personal and financial information.
The Equifax Attack
The attacked was caused by a vulnerability in the company’s web application software. Specifically, the hackers exploited a known vulnerability in the Apache Struts web application framework, which was used by Equifax. The vulnerability had been identified and a patch had been released by the Apache Software Foundation, but Equifax had not applied the patch to its systems.
The hackers used this vulnerability to gain access to Equifax’s systems and extract sensitive personal and financial information on millions of individuals. It is believed that the hackers accessed the systems through a phishing attack, in which they sent a malicious email to an Equifax employee that contained a link to a fake website. When the employee clicked on the link, the hackers were able to gain access to the company’s systems.
About Equifax
Equifax is a consumer credit reporting agency based in the United States. It is one of the three major credit reporting agencies in the country, along with TransUnion and Experian. Equifax was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company collects and maintains financial and personal information on individuals and businesses, including credit history, payment history, and other financial data. This information is used to generate credit reports, which are used by lenders, landlords, and other organizations to assess the creditworthiness and financial stability of individuals and businesses. Equifax also offers a range of other services, such as identity verification and fraud prevention. In 2017, the company suffered a significant data breach that exposed the personal and financial information of millions of individuals.