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Ransomwares
Customer Data Cyberattack Data Breach Data Leak data security Personal Information personal information exposure Qilin Qilin Ransomware Ransomware attack Ransomware group Ransomwares

Lee Enterprises Ransomware Attack Exposes Data of 40,000 Individuals

 

Lee Enterprises, a major U.S. news publisher, is alerting nearly 40,000 individuals about a data breach following a ransomware attack that took place in early February 2025. The company, which owns and operates 77 daily newspapers and hundreds of weekly and special-interest publications across 26 states, reported that the cyberattack resulted in the theft of personal information belonging to thousands of people. 

Details of the breach were revealed in a recent disclosure to the Maine Attorney General’s office. According to the company, the attackers gained unauthorized access to internal documents on February 3, 2025. These files contained combinations of personal identifiers such as names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license details, bank account information, medical data, and health insurance policy numbers. The security incident caused widespread operational disruptions. 

Following the attack, Lee Enterprises was forced to shut down multiple parts of its IT infrastructure, impacting both the printing and delivery of its newspapers. Several internal tools and systems became inaccessible, including virtual private networks and cloud storage services, complicating daily workflows across its local newsrooms. In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission shortly after the breach, the company confirmed that critical systems had been encrypted and that a portion of its data had been copied by the attackers. 

The source of the attack is yet to be identified, a group known as Qilin has allegedly claimed responsibility near the end of February. The group alleged it had stolen over 120,000 internal files, totaling 350 gigabytes, and threatened to publish the material unless their demands were met. Soon after, Qilin posted a sample of the stolen data to a dark web leak site, which included scans of government-issued IDs, financial spreadsheets, contracts, and other confidential records. The group also listed Lee Enterprises as a victim on its public-facing extortion portal. 

When asked about the authenticity of the leaked data, a spokesperson for Lee Enterprises stated the company was aware of the claims and was actively investigating. This is not the first cybersecurity issue Lee Enterprises has faced. The company’s network was previously targeted by foreign actors during the lead-up to the 2020 U.S. presidential election, where hackers from Iran allegedly attempted to use compromised media outlets to spread disinformation. 

The ransomware attack highlights ongoing threats facing media companies, especially those handling high volumes of personal and financial data. As Lee Enterprises continues its recovery and legal steps, the incident serves as a reminder of the need for robust digital defenses in today’s information-driven landscape.
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GitHub Advanced Security
AWS Cloud Security Critical Infrastructure Customer Data Cyberattack Data Breach Data Safety User Data data security GitHub GitHub Advanced Security

Massive Cyberattack Disrupts KiranaPro’s Operations, Erases Servers and User Data


KiranaPro, a voice-powered quick commerce startup connected with India’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), has been hit by a devastating cyberattack that completely crippled its backend infrastructure. The breach, which occurred over the span of May 24–25, led to the deletion of key servers and customer data, effectively halting all order processing on the platform. Despite the app still being live, it is currently non-functional, unable to serve users or fulfill orders. 


Company CEO Deepak Ravindran confirmed the attack, revealing that both their Amazon Web Services (AWS) and GitHub systems had been compromised. As a result, all cloud-based virtual machines were erased, along with personally identifiable information such as customer names, payment details, and delivery addresses. The breach was only discovered on May 26, when the team found themselves locked out of AWS’s root account. Chief Technology Officer Saurav Kumar explained that while they retained access through IAM (Identity and Access Management), the primary cloud environment had already been dismantled. 

Investigations suggest that the initial access may have been gained through an account associated with a former team member, although the company has yet to confirm the source of the breach. To complicate matters, the team’s multi-factor authentication (MFA), powered by Google Authenticator, failed during recovery attempts—raising questions about whether the attackers had also tampered with MFA settings. 

Founded in late 2024, KiranaPro operates across 50 Indian cities and allows customers to order groceries from local kirana shops using voice commands in multiple languages including Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and English. Before the cyberattack, the platform served approximately 2,000 orders daily from a user base of over 55,000 and was preparing for a major rollout to double its footprint across 100 cities. 

Following the breach, KiranaPro has contacted GitHub for assistance in identifying IP addresses linked to the intrusion and has initiated legal action against ex-employees accused of withholding account credentials. However, no final evidence has been released to the public about the precise origin or nature of the attack. 

The startup, backed by notable investors such as Blume Ventures, Snow Leopard Ventures, and TurboStart, had recently made headlines for acquiring AR startup Likeo in a $1 million stock-based deal. High-profile individual investors include Olympic medalist P.V. Sindhu and Boston Consulting Group’s Vikas Taneja. 

Speaking recently to The Indian Dream Magazine, Ravindran had laid out ambitious plans to turn India’s millions of kirana stores into a tech-enabled delivery network powered by voice AI and ONDC. International expansion, starting with Dubai, was also on the horizon—plans now put on hold due to this security incident. 

This breach underscores how even tech-forward startups are vulnerable when cybersecurity governance doesn’t keep pace with scale. As KiranaPro works to recover, the incident serves as a wake-up call for cloud-native businesses managing sensitive data.
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Sensitive Information
Customer Data Cyber Attacks Data Leak Data protection data security Data Theft Employee Data Identity Theft Prevention Radio Station Sensitive Information

iHeartMedia Cyberattack Exposes Sensitive Data Across Multiple Radio Stations

 

iHeartMedia, the largest audio media company in the United States, has confirmed a significant data breach following a cyberattack on several of its local radio stations. In official breach notifications sent to affected individuals and state attorney general offices in Maine, Massachusetts, and California, the company disclosed that cybercriminals accessed sensitive customer information between December 24 and December 27, 2024. Although iHeartMedia did not specify how many individuals were affected, the breach appears to have involved data stored on systems at a “small number” of stations. 

The exact number of compromised stations remains undisclosed. With a network of 870 radio stations and a reported monthly audience of 250 million listeners, the potential scope of this breach is concerning. According to the breach notification letters, the attackers “viewed and obtained” various types of personal information. The compromised data includes full names, passport numbers, other government-issued identification numbers, dates of birth, financial account information, payment card data, and even health and health insurance records. 

Such a comprehensive data set makes the victims vulnerable to a wide array of cybercrimes, from identity theft to financial fraud. The combination of personal identifiers and health or insurance details increases the likelihood of victims being targeted by tailored phishing campaigns. With access to passport numbers and financial records, cybercriminals can attempt identity theft or engage in unauthorized transactions and wire fraud. As of now, the stolen data has not surfaced on dark web marketplaces, but the risk remains high. 

No cybercrime group has claimed responsibility for the breach as of yet. However, the level of detail and sensitivity in the data accessed suggests the attackers had a specific objective and targeted the breach with precision. 

In response, iHeartMedia is offering one year of complimentary identity theft protection services to impacted individuals. The company has also established a dedicated hotline for those seeking assistance or more information. While these actions are intended to mitigate potential fallout, they may offer limited relief given the nature of the exposed information. 

This incident underscores the increasing frequency and severity of cyberattacks on media organizations and the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity protocols. For iHeartMedia, transparency and timely support for affected customers will be key in managing the aftermath of this breach. 

As investigations continue, more details may emerge regarding the extent of the compromise and the identity of those behind the attack.
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secure VPN
Customer Data customer data privacy Cyber Security Identity Fraud Identity Theft identity theft protection NordVPN secure VPN

NordVPN Introduces £5,000 ID Theft Recovery Coverage for UK Users on Ultimate Plan

 

NordVPN has launched a new identity theft recovery benefit for its UK subscribers, offering up to £5,000 in reimbursement to help users recover from the financial and emotional toll of identity fraud. This latest addition to its cybersecurity toolkit is exclusively available to customers subscribed to the NordVPN Ultimate plan, priced at £5.09 per month, paid annually at £137.43. 

This move comes amid growing concerns over online threats, especially following recent data breaches involving major UK retailers like Marks & Spencer, Harrods, and Co-op. In these incidents, attackers managed to access sensitive customer data, highlighting the increasing risk faced by consumers today. NordVPN’s ID theft recovery feature complements its existing scam loss protection and is designed to ease the burden of recovering one’s identity after it has been compromised. 

Covered expenses include restoring credit ratings, resolving issues with bank accounts or loans, and even reclaiming lost wages if a victim had to take time off work to deal with the aftermath of identity theft. Additionally, this protection can help victims clear their names in cases where their identities are used for malicious purposes. For those who fall prey to scams—whether through phishing, AI-driven deepfake schemes, or romance fraud—NordVPN offers up to 12 months to file a claim if their bank or financial institution cannot provide assistance. 

These benefits are not limited to the UK alone. NordVPN’s coverage also extends to users in countries like France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and the Netherlands, with 24/7 access to support services. While NordVPN Basic remains the more affordable option at £2.39 per month, the Ultimate plan’s added layer of financial security could be a worthwhile upgrade for users seeking peace of mind. In comparison, NordVPN users in the United States receive broader coverage through the NordProtect service, which includes cyber extortion and fraud protection with coverage up to $1 million—either through NordVPN Prime or as a standalone service.  

Although the UK plan doesn’t offer the same level of compensation as its U.S. counterpart, the £5,000 coverage still represents a meaningful step toward consumer protection. In an age where cyberattacks are common and even large companies struggle to safeguard data, investing in robust protection is becoming increasingly important. Whether or not users choose to upgrade, staying informed about digital security best practices remains the first line of defence.
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Sensitive data
Co-op Customer Data Customer Data Exposed cyber attack Data Breach Data Leak data security IT Infrastructure Sensitive data

Co-op Cyberattack Exposes Member Data in Major Security Breach

 

Millions of Co-op members are being urged to remain vigilant following a significant cyberattack that led to a temporary shutdown of the retailer’s IT infrastructure. The company confirmed that the breach resulted in unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, although it emphasized that no financial or account login information was compromised. 

Shirine Khoury-Haq, Chief Executive Officer of Co-op, addressed members directly, expressing regret and concern over the breach. She assured customers that the company’s core operations were largely unaffected by the attack and that members could continue to use their accounts and services as normal. However, she acknowledged the seriousness of the data exposure, which has affected both current and past members of the Co-op Group. 

“We deeply regret that personal member information was accessed during this incident. While we’ve been able to prevent disruption to our services, we understand how unsettling this news can be,” Khoury-Haq stated. “I encourage all members to take standard security precautions, including updating their passwords and ensuring they are not reused across platforms.” 

According to an official statement from Co-op, the malicious activity targeted one of their internal systems and successfully extracted customer data such as names, contact information, and dates of birth. Importantly, the company clarified that no passwords, payment details, or transactional records were included in the breach. They also emphasized that their teams are actively investigating the incident in coordination with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the National Crime Agency (NCA). 

The company said that it has implemented enhanced security measures to prevent further unauthorized access, while minimizing disruption to business operations and customer services. Forensic specialists are currently assessing the full scope of the breach, and affected individuals may be contacted as more information becomes available. In response to the incident, Stephen Bonner, Deputy Commissioner of the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), offered guidance to concerned members. “Cyberattacks like this can be very unsettling for the public. 

If you’re concerned about your data, we recommend using strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts and enabling two-factor authentication wherever possible,” he advised. “Customers should also stay alert to updates from Co-op and follow any specific instructions they provide.” The Co-op has apologized to its customers and pledged to continue prioritizing data protection as it works to resolve the issue. While the investigation continues, members are encouraged to remain cautious and take proactive steps to safeguard their personal information online.
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Personal Data
Bank CyberSecurity Bank Data Leak Cleo Server CLOP Customer Data Data Breach Data Leak Data Theft Identity Theft Personal Data

Western Alliance Bank Data Breach Exposes Nearly 22,000 Customers’ Personal Information

 

Western Alliance Bank has alerted nearly 22,000 customers that their personal information was compromised following a cyberattack in October. The breach stemmed from a vulnerability in a third-party vendor’s secure file transfer software, which allowed attackers to gain unauthorized access to the bank’s systems and extract sensitive customer data. 

Western Alliance, a subsidiary of Western Alliance Bancorporation with over $80 billion in assets, first disclosed the incident in a February SEC filing. The bank revealed that hackers exploited a zero-day vulnerability in the software, which was officially disclosed on October 27, 2024. However, unauthorized access to the bank’s systems had already occurred between October 12 and October 24. The breach was only confirmed after the attackers leaked stolen files online. 

According to breach notification letters sent to 21,899 affected customers and filed with the Office of Maine’s Attorney General, the stolen data includes names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, financial account details, driver’s license numbers, tax identification numbers, and passport information if previously provided to the bank. Despite the exposure, Western Alliance stated there is no evidence of fraud or identity theft resulting from the breach. 

To support affected customers, the bank is offering one year of free identity protection services through Experian IdentityWorks Credit 3B. Although Western Alliance did not disclose the name of the compromised software in its SEC filing or customer notifications, the Clop ransomware gang has claimed responsibility for the attack. In January, Clop listed the bank among 58 companies targeted in a campaign that exploited a critical zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2024-50623) in Cleo LexiCom, VLTransfer, and Harmony software. 

The ransomware group had previously leveraged similar security flaws in MOVEit Transfer, GoAnywhere MFT, and Accellion FTA to conduct large-scale data theft operations. Further investigations revealed that Clop exploited an additional zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2024-55956) in Cleo software in December. This allowed them to deploy a Java-based backdoor, dubbed “Malichus,” enabling deeper infiltration into victims’ networks. Cleo, which serves over 4,000 organizations worldwide, confirmed the vulnerability had been used to install malicious backdoor code in affected instances of its Harmony, VLTrader, and LexiCom software. 

The full extent of the breach remains unclear, but it highlights the growing risks posed by vulnerabilities in third-party software. Organizations relying on such solutions must remain vigilant, promptly apply security patches, and implement robust defenses to prevent similar incidents.
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Privacy
Customer Data Federal Trade Commission General Motors Privacy

GM Faces FTC Ban on Selling Customer Driving Data for Five Years

 



General Motors (GM) and its OnStar division have been barred from selling customer-driving data for the next five years. This decision follows an investigation that revealed GM was sharing sensitive customer information without proper consent.  

How Did This Happen?

This became public after it was discovered that GM had been gathering detailed information about how customers drove their vehicles. This included how fast they accelerated, how hard they braked, and how far they travelled. Rather than keeping this data private, GM sold it to third parties, including insurance companies and data brokers.

Many customers did not know about this practice and complained when their insurance premiums suddenly increased. According to reports, one customer complained that they had enrolled in OnStar to enjoy its tracking capabilities, not to have their data sold to third parties.

FTC's Allegations

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accused GM of misleading customers during the enrollment process for OnStar’s connected vehicle services and Smart Driver program. According to the FTC, GM failed to inform users that their driving data would be collected and sold.

FTCP Chair Lina Khan said GM tracked and commercially sold the extremely granular geolocation data of consumers and drove behaviour as frequently as every couple of seconds, and the settlement action is taking to protect privacy and prevent people from being subjected to unauthorized surveillance, according to officials.

Terms of Settlement

 Terms of the agreement require GM to:
1. Explain clearly data collection practices.
2. Obtain consent before collecting or sharing any driving data.  
3. Allow customers to delete their data upon request.  
Additionally, GM has ended its OnStar Smart Driver program, which was central to the controversy.

In a brief response, GM stated that it is committed to safeguarding customer privacy but did not address the allegations in detail.

Why This Matters  

This case highlights the growing importance of privacy in the digital age. It serves as a warning to companies about the consequences of using customer data without transparency. For consumers, it’s a reminder to carefully review the terms of services they sign up for and demand accountability from businesses handling personal information.

The action the FTC takes in this move is to make sure that companies give ethical practice priority and respect customers' privacy.







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Sensitive customer information
Chrome Extension Customer Data Cyber Attacks Cybersecurity measures Data Loss data security Phishing email Sensitive customer information

Cyberattack on Cyberhaven Chrome Extension Exposes Sensitive Data

 


On Christmas Eve, Cyberhaven, a data loss prevention company, experienced a cyberattack targeting its Google Chrome extension. The breach exposed sensitive customer data, including passwords and session tokens. The company has since taken swift measures to address the issue and prevent future incidents.

The attack occurred after a Cyberhaven employee fell victim to a phishing email, inadvertently sharing their credentials. This gave the attacker access to Cyberhaven’s systems, specifically the credentials for the Google Chrome Web Store. Leveraging this access, the attacker uploaded a malicious version (24.10.4) of the Cyberhaven Chrome extension. The compromised version was automatically updated on Chrome-based browsers and remained active from 1:32 AM UTC on December 25 to 2:50 AM UTC on December 26.

Swift Response by Cyberhaven

Cyberhaven’s security team discovered the breach at 11:54 PM UTC on Christmas Day. Within an hour, they removed the malicious extension from the Web Store. CEO Howard Ting praised the team’s dedication, stating, “Our team acted swiftly and with remarkable dedication, interrupting their holiday plans to safeguard our customers and maintain our commitment to transparency.”

While no other Cyberhaven systems, such as CI/CD processes or code signing keys, were affected, the compromised extension potentially enabled the exfiltration of user cookies and authenticated sessions for specific targeted websites. This incident underscores the persistent risks posed by phishing attacks and the critical need for robust security measures.

Mitigation Measures for Users

To mitigate the impact of the breach, Cyberhaven has advised users to take the following steps:

  • Update the extension to version 24.10.5 or newer.
  • Monitor logs for unusual activity.
  • Revoke or reset passwords not protected by FIDOv2.

These proactive measures are essential to prevent further exploitation of compromised credentials.

Enhanced Security Measures

In response to the attack, Cyberhaven has implemented additional security protocols to strengthen its defenses. The company is also working with law enforcement to investigate the breach and identify the attackers, who reportedly targeted other companies as well.

This attack highlights the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, particularly those exploiting human error. Phishing remains one of the most effective tactics for gaining unauthorized access to sensitive systems. Companies must prioritize employee training on recognizing phishing attempts and establish multi-layered security frameworks to mitigate vulnerabilities.

Cyberhaven’s swift response and transparent communication reflect its commitment to customer security and trust. As the investigation continues, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats.

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