The Biggest Cyberattacks of 2024
As we approach the last quarter of 2024 it is safe to say that cyber criminals have upped their game this year. Let’s look at what has happened in the world of cybercrime…so far.
As we approach the last quarter of 2024 it is safe to say that cyber criminals have upped their game this year. Let’s look at what has happened in the world of cybercrime…so far.
A cyberattack is the intentional effort to steal, expose, alter, disable or destroy data, applications, or other assets through unauthorised access to a network, computer system, or digital device.
Malware: Malware is malicious software that can destroy data, steal information, or even wipe files critical to the operating system’s ability to run. Malware comes in many forms, including Trojan horse, ransomware, rootkit, worms or spyware.
Social Engineering – Phishing: Social engineering attacks manipulate people into doing things that they shouldn’t do, like sharing information they shouldn’t share, downloading software they shouldn’t download, or sending money to criminals.
Supply Chain Attacks: These are highly effective way of breaching security by introducing malicious components to gain access and steal data from your extended network. The Cyber Security Government Strategy (2022 – 2030) has recognised the growing risk within this area and has set out a strategy to manage cyber security risks and minimise their impact.
IoT Device Security: The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of interconnected devices that exchange data with other IoT devices and the Cloud. There are pros and cons of using IoT but you have to ensure that your connections are secure. Hackers can filtrate through one vulnerability and manipulate all the data.
On 3 June 2024, Synnovis, a pathology laboratory which processes blood tests on behalf of a number of NHS organisations, primarily in South East London, was the victim of a cyberattack.
The criminals behind the attack published data files on 20 June 2024. Synnovis confirmed on 24 June 2024 that the data published was stolen from some of their systems and that some information leaked may contain personal data such as names, NHS numbers and tests codes. Synnovis managed to restore some functionality in its IT systems by the end of June, however disruptions to blood transfusion services are anticipated to continue until the end of summer.
In May 2024, the BBC confirmed a data security incident that put 25,000 current and former employees at risk. The breach compromised the information of its BBC pension scheme members. Cyber criminals gained access to files containing their members’ personal information from a cloud-based storage service. The stolen data includes names, national insurance numbers, dates of birth, gender, and home addresses. However, the BBC noted that the breach did not include information such as telephone numbers, email addresses, bank details, financial information or usernames and passwords.
The threat remains however, as a successful phishing attack against a current employee could allow cyber criminals to bypass security measures to breach other BBC systems and those affected were advised to keep a close eye on their bank accounts and emails.
Canvey Island Infant School’s IT system has been compromised after being hit by a cyberattack during the half-term at the beginning of summer. The data breach was reported to the National Cyber Security Centre as a ‘significant critical incident’ and school leadership have pushed the start of the autumn term until the 3rd September to ensure all systems are safe to run.
Ticketmaster, a ticket sales and distribution company, has confirmed a security breach of unprecedented scale, potentially impacting 560 million users. That is a staggering a number! The hackers behind this incident reportedly sell a massive 1.3TB of stolen customer data. This data includes personal information such as names, addresses, emails, phone numbers, and even the last four digits of card numbers, along with their expiry dates. The breach also exposed detailed ticketing order information.
Salford City Council’s housing register was a victim of a cyberattack on 2 August, leaving 5,200 people without access to services. The affected software, Locata provides housing software for councils across the UK. The attack also affected housing registers in Manchester and Bolton. It resulted in thousands of users being sent a phishing email asking them to “activate your tenancy options” and hand over personal data.
Users of the services were told to monitor their bank accounts and change their passwords that were the same as the one used to access Salford Home Search.
A poultry factory in Attleborough, Norfolk confirmed that hackers have gained unauthorised access to their systems on 18 August. Stolen staff information includes National Insurance numbers, copies of passports and bank details. The incident was reported to the Commissioner’s Office and additional security measures have been installed by the company.
We have seen a steady in increase in cyberattacks in recent years.
There are several factors that could account for this such as economic constraints and inflation which make it difficult for organisations especially SMEs to finance and maintain robust cyber security measures.
The shift to remote working during the pandemic has also contributed to the rise in cyberattacks by opening up new vulnerabilities in IT systems as many employees access company network from less secure environments. On top of that, the fast evolution of AI tools make it easier for less experienced hackers to access systems.
Additionally, more and more organisations create an online presence, which increases the attack surface of cyber criminals.
You can see from this list of targeted organisations that cyber criminals don’t just prey on big, multi-million-pound businesses but attack all organisations no matter their size and revenue.
So, if you’re asking yourself the question whether your business is vulnerable to cyber threats then, the answer is most definitely yes! Our blog should serve as a wake-up call, underlining the need for robust cyber security measures.
Don’t be a victim!
Get in touch with Syn-Star to claim your FREE External Penetration Test so we can help you improve your security measures!
Agnes Molnar
Agnes is Syn-Star’s expert content writer, she has Master’s degree in English Literature that provides a strong foundation in writing and critical thinking of everything she does.
Qualifications: Masters in English Literature
In-house training: HubSpot SEO, WordPress Training.
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Agnes Molnar
Agnes is Syn-Star’s expert content writer, she has Master’s degree in English Literature that provides a strong foundation in writing and critical thinking of everything she does.
Qualifications: Masters in English Literature
In-house training: HubSpot SEO, WordPress Training.
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