What Happened in the Capita Hack?
On March 7th, 2021, the UK's largest IT services provider Capita suffered a cyberattack which resulted in the theft of personal data from more than 45,000 users. The hack targeted customer and staff records and account information from clients, including local councils nationwide.
What Data Was Stolen?
The hackers stole personal data from customers and staff, including names, addresses, dates of birth, National Insurance numbers, bank account details and passwords.
How Was the Hack Executed?
The attack was believed to have been carried out using a sophisticated phishing attack that tricked users into entering their credentials on malicious sites. Once logged in, the hackers could access the personal data of customers and staff.
How Was the Breach Discovered?
The breach was discovered when Capita's IT security team noticed suspicious network activity. After further investigation, it was determined that the hackers had stolen customer and employee information, including financial and contact details.
What Action Has Been Taken?
Capita has taken steps to secure its systems and protect customer data. It also investigates the breach with the UK's cyber-security agency, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), and law enforcement agencies. In addition, Capita has notified affected customers and staff and offered advice on how to protect themselves from identity theft and fraud. It has also provided customers with free credit monitoring services to protect their financial security.
What Can Customers Do To Protect Themselves?
Customers affected by the breach should monitor their bank accounts closely for suspicious activity and consider changing passwords for any online accounts they have used with Capita. They should also be wary of any suspicious emails, calls or text messages they receive. Finally, customers should consider signing up for a credit monitoring service to alert them if their data is used in future cyberattacks.
Conclusion
The Capita hack was a severe breach of security which could have resulted in identity theft and financial loss for those affected. While Capita has taken steps to protect its systems and customers, it is essential for all users to remain vigilant when using online services and to ensure that their data is kept secure. By taking simple measures such as changing passwords regularly and monitoring for suspicious activity, users can help ensure they do not become victims of cybercrime. The team here at DarkInvader actively scan the public and private web for threats towards your companies domain to eliminate the risk of a data breach.
