Buzz
Exactis, a small marketing firm from Florida, could have exposed personal data of roughly 340 million individuals and businesses in the U.S.
As per a report from Wired, Exactis 'accidentally made public a database containing nearly 340 million individual records on an accessible server' earlier this month. While the exact number of those affected is unclear, it's estimated that the personal data of around 230 million individuals and 110 million businesses, including phone numbers, addresses, and emails, was exposed.
'It appears this database includes nearly every U.S. citizen,' stated Vinny Troia, a security researcher who discovered the leak, according to Wired.
Exactis is a marketing company that has gathered data on the preferences and behaviors of millions, going beyond basic information—Wired reported.
Each entry in the database contains far more than just contact details and public records—it includes over 400 distinct characteristics, such as whether the individual smokes, their religious affiliation, if they own pets like dogs or cats, and interests ranging from scuba diving to plus-size fashion.
While financial details and Social Security numbers don't appear to have been exposed, and it remains uncertain whether hackers accessed the information as they did in the Equifax breach, the risk of misuse is still significant. As Wired highlights, the detailed nature of the data makes it a valuable tool for fraudsters looking to impersonate others.
We’re awaiting further details on the breach and will provide updates as soon as possible. In the meantime, check out this guide from Mytour for steps to take before, during, and after a data breach.
