The latest massive data breach has exposed millions of users personal data. Hipshipper, an international shipping ...
The latest massive data breach has exposed millions of users personal data. Hipshipper, an international shipping platform used by eBay, Shopify and Amazon sellers, has exposed millions of shipping labels, revealing personal customer data.
Read on to find out what was leaked and what you can do to protect yourself.
Who is Hipshipper and who uses their services?
Hipshipper is a company that offers international shipping services for online sellers. Hipshipper provides end-to-end logistics solutions, including shipping, returns, and customer service. Most notably they provide services to Amazon, Shopify and eBay sellers. Hackers gained access to their database of international shipping labels.
What Hipshipper data was leaked?
Researchers believe that the data stored on an exposed AWS server included buyers’ personal details, such as:
- Full names
- Home addresses
- Phone numbers
- Order details (dates of mailing, parcel information, etc.)
This information might not seem like a huge deal but cybercriminals are getting more sophisticated in their attacks everyday. Leaked data assists their efforts as malicious actors can employ exposed details to craft messages referencing specific products or orders to trick victims into clicking malicious links or downloading harmful files. If you receive an email with your specific order details that are legitimate, you are probably more likely to click on a link or download an attachment.
So what can you do to protect yourself?
In the wake of the Hipshipper data breach, vigilance is key. When involved in a known data breach, affected users must act quickly to secure their information. Immediate steps can prevent further damage. Unfortunately, these data breaches aren't always reported right away.
You should always update your account passwords. Strong, unique passwords are essential. Don't reuse passwords across multiple platforms. Use a password manager so that you can easily store, update and use strong passwords.
Monitoring your financial statements is crucial. Look for any signs of unauthorized transactions. Promptly report suspicious activity to your bank.
Take advantage of identity theft protection services. These services can alert you to potential compromises. They offer peace of mind during uncertain times.
Lastly, remain cautious of phishing scams. Cybercriminals often prey on breach victims. Be skeptical of unsolicited emails asking for personal data.
Here’s a quick checklist for protection:
- Change account passwords immediately.
- Monitor bank and credit card activity.
- Sign up for identity theft protection.
- Stay alert for phishing attempts.
- Be proactive in reporting any suspicious activity.
What can businesses do to avoid a data leak?
Lessons Learned and Preventative Measures
The Hipshipper data breach serves as a cautionary tale. There are crucial lessons for companies to absorb. Regular security audits are indispensable. They help identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Incident response teams must be prepared. Quick action can mitigate damage and assist recovery.
The breach emphasizes the value of proactive security strategies. Companies need to invest in preventive measures.
Key Preventative Measures:
- Implement strong, multi-factor authentication for user accounts.
- Encrypt all sensitive data both at rest and during transmission.
- Conduct thorough cyber security training for employees to recognize potential threats.
- Regularly update software and patch vulnerabilities promptly.
- Foster an organizational culture where data protection is prioritized.
These measures offer a foundation for improved security. Companies adopting these practices can better protect user data.
For more information on data breaches and what to do if you suspect you were a victim, read more about dark web scanning services.