Recently, US mobile operator AT&T disclosed that hackers had successfully stolen call and message data from nearly all of its customers spanning over a six-month period in 2022. This breach impacted approximately 90 million individuals, raising serious concerns about data security and privacy.
The stolen data primarily included details of phone calls and text messages exchanged between May 2022 and October 2022. This information consisted of phone numbers linked to AT&T mobile subscribers, and in some instances, location data that could potentially pinpoint the origin of the communications. However, AT&T clarified that the hackers did not access the actual content of the calls and messages, nor did they obtain any personal information like names or social security numbers.
AT&T promptly launched an investigation into the breach and confirmed that the hackers gained unauthorized access to customer data stored on a third-party cloud platform. While the breached access point has been secured and one individual has been apprehended, the company remains vigilant in collaborating with law enforcement to address the issue.
This breach marks the second significant cyberattack suffered by AT&T in the same year, following an earlier incident where personal data for millions of customers was leaked on the dark web. The breach has eroded customer trust, with many feeling vulnerable about their private information being compromised once again.
Recommendations for Affected Customers
In response to the breach, security experts like Darren Guccione, CEO and co-founder of Keeper Security, advise impacted individuals to take proactive measures to safeguard their identity. This includes changing their AT&T account password and enabling multifactor authentication to enhance security. While the exposed data may be less sensitive compared to previous breaches, customers are urged to remain vigilant and adopt additional security precautions.
The Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into the data breach to uncover the full extent of the incident and hold those responsible accountable. The focus remains on identifying vulnerabilities in data storage and enhancing cybersecurity measures to prevent future breaches.
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