Cyber attacks are unauthorized actions against
computer infrastructure that compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or
availability of its content. They include stealing data and disrupting
services. These are highly sophisticated attacks through malware, phishing, and
ransomware.
In 2024, attacks that targeted critical infrastructure, healthcare, and other
basic services surged massively. Data disclosed in such attacks included
personal details, medical files, and secret business data; this demonstrated
increasing sophistication and threat impact
Top 10 Cyber Attacks of 2024
1. Change Healthcare Ransomware Attack
The Ransomware attack was in January 2024 Exposed data: Patient medical records and personal information of 100 million Americans Attackers exploited vulnerabilities in Change Healthcare's systems to deploy ransomware, encrypting data and demanding a ransom. The attackers broke into the company's systems on or around January 12, using stolen credentials to access Change Healthcare's remote access server. The ransomware group, ALPHV/BlackCat, claimed responsibility for the attack. Impact: The attack has resulted in large-scale outages across the healthcare industry and affected the companies' billing and insurance claims handling. The data breach included the SSNs, Driver's License Numbers, Health insurance information, medical records, and billing information.
2. Ivanti VPN Breach
The exploitation of Zero-Day Vulnerabilities was in February 2024 Exposed data: Sensitive information across various sectors including government and military Threat actors exploited two zero-day vulnerabilities in Ivanti's VPN products, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data. Impact: This attack impacted multiple sectors including government agencies and military operations, highlighting the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures.
3. Snowflake Users Breach
The Snowflake Data Breach occurred in March 2024. Exposed Data: Confidential business data of Snowflake customers. How: Attackers accessed Snowflake's systems illegally, thus violating customer data. Impact: The breach of sensitive business data put Snowflake in a tough spot and further questioned the company's ability to secure data.
4. Salt Typhoon Espionage
The Espionage was 2024 Exposed Data: Customer communications of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile How: Sophisticated methods were used by nation-state threat actors linked to China to access and exfiltrate data. The Organization Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile Impact: Major telecom companies suffered from this espionage campaign, in which customer communications were compromised with serious privacy concerns.
5. LoanDepot Ransomware Attack
The Ransomware was in April 2024 Exposed Data: Social Security numbers and financial account numbers of 16.6 million customers How: Hackers launched a ransomware attack, encrypting data and holding it for ransom in exchange for access. Impact: The attack resulted in operational interruption to LoanDepot and leakage of sensitive financial information for millions of customers.
6. Midnight Blizzard Attack
(Microsoft)
The Targeted Attack occurred in May 2024. Exposed Data: Confidential information of Microsoft executives How: The attackers conducted a targeted attack that accessed sensitive information. Impact: This attack exposed confidential information about high-profile people, creating fear of targeted cyber-attacks.
7. ConnectWise's ScreenConnect
Vulnerabilities
The Exploitation of Software Vulnerabilities was in June 2024 Data Exposed data: Sensitive data of different sectors. Attackers exploited the vulnerabilities in the ScreenConnect software used by ConnectWise. The Organization ConnectWise Impact: This attack had an impact on different sectors and proved the necessity of securing software applications.
8. Kaiser and Ascension
Attacks
The Ransomware attack occurred in July 2024 Exposed data: Medical records and personal information. Attackers deployed ransomware, encrypting data and demanding a ransom to restore access. Organization: Kaiser Permanente, Ascension Health Impact: The attack disrupted healthcare services and exposed sensitive patient information, raising significant concerns about healthcare cybersecurity.
9. OpenAI Foils 20 Attempts
The OpenAI Multiple Attempted Attacks Throughout 2024. Exposed data: Attempted breaches of AI models. The attackers attempted to breach OpenAI's AI models multiple times but were thwarted by security measures. Impact: These attempted breaches highlighted the ongoing threat to AI technologies and the importance of robust security measures.
10. Cotton Sandstorm Campaign
The Advanced Persistent Threat
(APT) attack occurred in November 2024 Exposed data: Critical
infrastructure data in Israel, France, Sweden, and the US. The Nation-state
threat actors used advanced techniques, including AI, to target critical
infrastructure. The Organization Various critical infrastructure
entities in Israel, France, Sweden, and the US Impact: This
campaign targeted critical infrastructure, raising concerns about the security
of essential services and the potential for large-scale disruptions.
