The dark web hacking group ShinyHunters has claimed responsibility for a cyber attack on Ticketmaster, which resulted in the compromise of more than 500 million users’ details, equating to 1.3 terabytes of data. According to the BBC, the details were listed for a one-time price on the recently resurfaced dark web hacking forum, BreachForums. The hacking group is demanding a ransom payment of $500,000 (£400,000) to prevent them from selling the data to other parties. The reports of the hack suggest that they have gained personal information, such as names, addresses, emails, and hashed card numbers.
If verified, the data breach could become the largest ever hacking operation due to a huge number of people affected and the extensive amount of data leaked. The Australian Department of Home Affairs is reportedly working closely with Ticketmaster to understand the incident, while the FBI has offered their assistance to the Australian authorities. This is not the first time Ticketmaster has suffered from hacking controversy. In 2020, they admitted to hacking a competitor, Crowdsurge, and had to pay a $10 million fine.
The news comes amidst an ongoing court case against Ticketmaster filed by the US Department of Justice and 29 states over its alleged monopoly over ticket sales and suppression of competition. Last January, Ticketmaster said that sales related to Taylor Swift’s concerts had been disrupted by bot-driven cyber attacks.
This latest breach is a clear reminder of the importance of implementing robust cybersecurity measures to protect users’ data. Cyber-criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and they are using advanced techniques to breach systems. As such, it is imperative that companies follow best practices to ensure the security of users’ data. Additionally, companies must have a plan in place to manage any potential data breaches promptly. In conclusion, the cybersecurity landscape is continually evolving, and companies must stay ahead of the curve to protect their sensitive data from cyber-criminals
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