After being repeatedly denied, the AT&T data breach 2024 update by the company shows us the real truth: over 70 million customers’ sensitive data leaked.
“Based on our preliminary analysis, the data set appears to be from 2019 or earlier, impacting approximately 7.6 million current AT&T account holders and approximately 65.4 million former account holders.”
– AT&T
The denial of AT&T
In 2021, the Shiny Hunters group claimed to have stolen data from 73 million AT&T customers, which AT&T denied. However, in 2024, another threat actor leaked a dataset matching the earlier claims. Customer reports suggest the leaked data likely originated from AT&T systems. Despite this, AT&T has continued to deny a breach until today.
What does the AT&T data breach 2024 update say to us?
The AT&T data breach 2024 update tells us that many customers’ private information got exposed. AT&T has confirmed that sensitive customer information, including:
- Names
- Email addresses
- Phone numbers
- Social security numbers
- Account credentials
The breach affects over 7.6 million current customers and 65 million former customers.
What has AT&T done so far?
The breach came to light when a lot of AT&T customer data was found online, including passwords that weren’t too hard to figure out. This raised serious concerns about how safe customer accounts were. AT&T acted fast, launching an investigation with help from cybersecurity experts both inside and outside the company.
While they’re still figuring out exactly how it happened, AT&T is taking steps to protect affected customers. They’ve already changed passwords for those hit by the breach and are reaching out to them directly. They’re also urging everyone to update their passwords, especially if they haven’t done it recently.
To help out customers affected by the breach, AT&T is offering free identity theft protection and credit monitoring. This is to help people keep their personal info safe and reduce any harm caused by the breach.
What should you do now?
To check if your data has been affected by the AT&T data breach, you can follow these steps:
- Look for communication from AT&T: AT&T is reaching out to affected customers via email or letter to inform them about the breach and the steps being taken to address it. Check your email inbox and physical mail for any messages from AT&T regarding the breach.
- Check your AT&T account: Log in to your AT&T account through the official website or mobile app. Look for any notifications or alerts regarding the data breach. AT&T may provide specific guidance on what actions you need to take if your account has been affected.
- Monitor for suspicious activity: Keep an eye on your bank accounts, credit card statements, and any other accounts linked to your AT&T information for any unauthorized or suspicious activity. If you notice anything unusual, contact AT&T immediately and report the incident.
- Update your passcode: Even if you haven’t received notification from AT&T, it’s a good idea to update your passcode as a precautionary measure. Log in to your “myAT&T Profile” and follow the prompts to change your passcode.
- Use identity theft protection services: If you’re concerned about potential identity theft, consider signing up for identity theft protection and credit monitoring services. AT&T is offering these services for free to customers affected by the breach.
By following these steps, you can take proactive measures to protect your personal information and mitigate any potential risks associated with the AT&T data breach.
This incident is a reminder of how important it is for companies to keep customer data safe. It shows that cybersecurity is a big deal and that businesses need to stay on top of it to protect their customers and their trust. AT&T’s quick response to the breach is a good example of how seriously companies should take these issues.
Featured image credit: Eray Eliaçık/Bing
