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personal data leak
Cyber Attacks Data Leak data security Data Theft employee data exposed Jaguar Jaguar Land Rover cyberattack payroll security breach personal data leak

Jaguar Land Rover Confirms Employee Data Theft After August 2025 Cyberattack

 

British luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed that a cyberattack uncovered in August 2025 led to the theft of payroll and personal data of thousands of current and former employees. After this disclosure, the company asked the affected people to remain alert about identity theft, phishing attempts, and financial fraud. 

The breach represents the first official acknowledgement from JLR that employee personal information was compromised during the incident. Earlier statements had focused largely on the operational disruption caused by the attack, which forced the temporary shutdown of vehicle production across several manufacturing facilities for several weeks. The company employs more than 38,000 people worldwide. Records pertaining to former employees and contractors were also affected. 

Internal communications shared with staff revealed that forensic investigations determined attackers took unauthorized access to payroll administration systems. These systems would include sensitive employment-related records, including data associated with salaries, pension contributions, employee benefits, and information about dependents. While JLR has stated that there is currently no evidence that the stolen information has been publicly leaked or actively misused, the nature of the exposed data creates a heightened risk profile.  

Cybersecurity experts point out that payroll systems usually host very sensitive identifiers such as bank account details, national insurance numbers, tax information, residential addresses, and compensation records. Even partial data exposure could increase the chances of identity fraud, account takeover attempts, and targeted social engineering attacks by a great degree. In response, JLR has recommended that the affected keep themselves aware of unsolicited communications and enhance passwords related to personal and professional accounts. 

For the sake of mitigation, the company has declared two years of free credit and identity monitoring services for its current and former affected employees. A dedicated helpline is also established for phone support, to assist with queries, advise on protective measures, and take reports of suspected fraudulent activity. This decision by JLR comes after forensic analysis had continued post-restoration of safe production operations. 

The breach has been formally reported to the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which has confirmed it is conducting enquiries into the incident. The regulator has asked for more information about the extent of the breach, what security controls were in place at the time of the attack, and what remedial action has been taken since the intrusion was detected. The after-effects of the cyberattack spilled over beyond JLR's workforce. 

The disruption reportedly affected almost 5,000 supplier and partner organizations, reflecting the interconnected nature of modern manufacturing supply chains. Estimates place the overall economic impact of the incident at roughly ₹20,000 crore. Official figures suggest the disruption contributed to a measurable contraction in the UK economy during September 2025. JLR also announced that the attack resulted in the quarterly sales decline of an estimated ₹15,750 crore, along with a one-time recovery and remediation cost of around ₹2,060 crore. 

The costs comprised restoration of systems, security controls enhancement, and incident response. The intrusion, which was earlier claimed by a hacking group named "Scattered Lapsus Hunters" that had earlier been involved with attacks on major retail organizations, has alleged that the organization also accessed customer data. 
However, Jaguar Land Rover claims that evidence supporting those claims has not been found. Investigations are ongoing, and the firm has announced that it will keep informing employees, regulators, and other stakeholders as more information becomes available.
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visa security
Data Breach e-visa system vulnerability Flaw passport data exposure Personal Data personal data leak Somalia Somalia cyber security Somalia data breach visa security

Security Flaw Exposes Personal Data on Somalia’s E-Visa System Weeks After Major Breach

 

A recently uncovered weakness in Somalia’s electronic visa system has triggered fresh alarm over the protection of travelers’ personal information, coming just weeks after authorities admitted to a large-scale data breach affecting tens of thousands of applicants. Findings indicate that the Somalia e-visa platform is missing basic security safeguards, allowing unauthorized access to and downloading of sensitive documents with little technical effort.

The vulnerability was confirmed this week by Al Jazeera following a tip from a source with professional web development experience. The source explained that flaws in the e-visa system could be exploited to extract large volumes of visa application files containing highly confidential data. This exposed information reportedly includes passport details, full names, and dates of birth, data that could be abused for criminal activities or intelligence purposes.

According to the source, evidence of the security lapse was shared with Al Jazeera, along with proof that Somali authorities had been formally notified about the vulnerability a week earlier. Despite these warnings, the source said there was no response from officials and no sign that corrective measures had been taken.

Al Jazeera independently confirmed the claims by recreating the flaw as described. During testing, journalists were able to download e-visa documents belonging to dozens of individuals in a short time. The affected records included applicants from multiple countries, such as Somalia, Portugal, Sweden, the United States, and Switzerland.

“Breaches involving sensitive personal data are particularly dangerous as they put people at risk of various harms, including identity theft, fraud, and intelligence gathering by malicious actors,” Bridget Andere, a senior policy analyst at the digital rights organization Access Now, said in comments to Al Jazeera. She added that such incidents go beyond technical shortcomings and can have long-term implications for personal safety and privacy.

New Vulnerability Surfaces After Earlier Mass Data Leak

This latest Somalia e-visa security issue emerges less than a month after officials announced an investigation into a prior cyberattack on the same system. That earlier breach drew warnings from both the United States and the United Kingdom. According to official alerts, personal data belonging to more than 35,000 Somalia e-visa applicants had been exposed. The US Embassy in Somalia previously said the leaked information included names, photographs, dates and places of birth, email addresses, marital status, and home addresses.

Following that incident, Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) shifted the e-visa platform to a new web domain, stating that the move was intended to improve security. On November 16, the agency said it was treating the breach with “special importance” and confirmed that an investigation was underway. However, the emergence of a new vulnerability suggests that deeper security weaknesses may still persist.

Security Praise Contrasts With Legal Responsibilities

Earlier the same week, Somalia’s Defence Minister, Ahmed Moalim Figi, publicly commended the e-visa system, saying it had helped prevent ISIL (ISIS) fighters from entering the country amid ongoing military operations against a regional affiliate in northern Somalia.

“The government's push to deploy the e-visa system despite being clearly unprepared for potential risks, then redeploying it after a serious data breach, is a clear example of how disregard for people's concerns and rights when introducing digital infrastructures can erode public trust and create avoidable vulnerabilities,” Andere said. She also voiced concern that Somali authorities had not issued a public notice regarding the serious data breach reported in November.

Under Somalia’s data protection law, organizations handling personal data are required to inform the national data protection authority when breaches occur. In cases involving high risk, particularly where sensitive personal data is exposed, affected individuals must also be notified. “Extra protections should apply in this case because it involves people of different nationalities and therefore multiple legal jurisdictions,” Andere added.

Al Jazeera stated that it could not publish specific technical details of the newly discovered flaw because it remains unpatched and could be exploited further if disclosed. Any sensitive data accessed during the investigation was destroyed to safeguard the privacy of those impacted.
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personal data leak
Customer Data Customer Data Exposed Data Breach Data exposed data security leaked sensitive data personal data leak

DoorDash Data Breach Exposes Customer Information in October 2025 Incident

 

DoorDash has informed its customers that the company experienced a security incident in late October, marking yet another breach for the food delivery platform. According to details first reported by BleepingComputer, DoorDash has begun emailing users to disclose that on October 25, 2025, an unauthorized individual infiltrated parts of its internal systems and accessed selected customer contact information. The type of data exposed varied from person to person but involved key personal details. In its notification email, the company confirmed that names, physical addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses were among the information viewed by the intruder. While financial data does not appear to have been compromised, the collection of exposed fields still carries significant risk because such details can easily be reused in phishing, impersonation, and other forms of social engineering attacks. 

DoorDash stated that the root cause of the breach was a social engineering scam targeting an employee, which ultimately allowed the attacker to obtain credentials and slip past internal safeguards. As soon as the company recognized unusual activity, its security team revoked the unauthorized access, launched a broader investigation, and contacted law enforcement to support further review. However, the company did not specify how many individuals may have been affected. What is clear is that the impacted group includes customers, delivery drivers (known as Dashers), and merchants. Considering DoorDash reported roughly 7 million contractors in 2023, nearly 600,000 partner merchants in 2024, and more than 42 million active users, the number of people touched by the incident could be extensive. 

This latest breach adds to a concerning pattern for the company, which was previously affected by two significant incidents in 2019 and 2022. The 2019 attack exposed information belonging to approximately 5 million customers, Dashers, and merchants, while the 2022 event stemmed from the same campaign that targeted communications provider Twilio. These recurring issues highlight how attractive large consumer platforms remain to cybercriminals. 

For users, the most important step after any data exposure is to immediately update account passwords and ensure they are strong, unique, and not reused across services. A password manager can simplify this process and reduce risk over time. Enabling multi-factor authentication on DoorDash and other critical accounts adds an extra security barrier that often stops attackers even if credentials are stolen. Because personal details were accessed, users should stay alert for phishing messages that may imitate DoorDash or reference suspicious orders. These tactics are common after breaches and can easily lure people into clicking harmful links or providing additional sensitive information. 

Customers may also benefit from using reputable identity theft protection services that monitor financial activity and personal data for signs of misuse. While no single step can eliminate the consequences of a breach, proactive monitoring and cautious digital habits can significantly reduce the likelihood of further harm.
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personal data leak
Customer Data Cyber Attacks Data Breaches Data Leak Data protection data security Personal Data personal data leak

WestJet Confirms Cyberattack Exposed Passenger Data but No Financial Details

 

WestJet has confirmed that a cyberattack in June compromised certain passenger information, though the airline maintains that the breach did not involve sensitive financial or password data. The incident, which took place on June 13, was attributed to a “sophisticated, criminal third party,” according to a notice issued by the airline to U.S. residents earlier this week. 

WestJet stated that its internal precautionary measures successfully prevented the attackers from gaining access to credit and debit card details, including card numbers, expiry dates, and CVV codes. The airline further confirmed that no user passwords were stolen. However, the company acknowledged that some passengers’ personal information had been exposed. The compromised data included names, contact details, information and documents related to reservations and travel, and details regarding the passengers’ relationship with WestJet. 

“Containment is complete, and additional system and data security measures have been implemented,” WestJet said in an official release. The airline emphasized that analysis of the incident is still ongoing and that it continues to strengthen its cybersecurity framework to safeguard customer data. 

As part of its response plan, WestJet is contacting affected customers to offer support and guidance. The airline has partnered with Cyberscout, a company specializing in identity theft protection and fraud assistance, to help impacted individuals with remediation services. WestJet has also published advisory information on its website to assist passengers who may be concerned about their data.  

In its statement, the airline reassured customers that swift containment measures limited the breach’s impact. “Our cybersecurity teams acted immediately to contain the situation and secure our systems. We take our responsibility to protect customer information very seriously,” the company said. 

WestJet confirmed that it is working closely with law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security. The airline also notified U.S. credit reporting agencies—TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax—along with the attorneys general of several U.S. states, Transport Canada, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, and relevant provincial and international data protection authorities. 

While WestJet maintains that the exposed information does not appear to include sensitive financial or authentication details, cybersecurity experts note that personal identifiers such as names and contact data can still pose privacy and fraud risks if misused. The airline’s transparency and engagement with regulatory agencies reflect an effort to mitigate potential harm and restore public trust. 

The company reiterated that it remains committed to improving its security posture through enhanced monitoring, employee training, and the implementation of additional cybersecurity controls. The investigation into the breach continues, and WestJet has promised to provide further updates as new information becomes available. 

The incident highlights the ongoing threat of cyberattacks against the aviation industry, where companies hold large volumes of personal and travel-related data. Despite the rise in security investments, even well-established airlines remain attractive targets for sophisticated cybercriminals. WestJet’s quick response and cooperation with authorities underscore the importance of rapid containment and transparency in handling such data breaches.
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personal data leak
Data Breach Data Leak data security Data stealing malware Database Breach Infostealer Infostealer Malware Login Credentials Login Security Malware attacks personal data leak

Massive Data Leak Exposes 16 Billion Login Records from Major Online Services

 

A recent investigation by Cybernews has uncovered a staggering 30 separate online datasets containing approximately 16 billion stolen login credentials from services including Apple, Google, and Facebook. These data dumps, discovered through open sources, appear to be the result of large-scale malware attacks that harvested user information through infostealers. 

Each dataset contains a URL alongside usernames and passwords, suggesting that malicious software was used to collect login details from infected devices. While some overlap exists among the records, the overall size and spread of the leak make it difficult to determine how many unique users have been compromised. 

Except for one dataset previously identified by cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler—which included over 185 million unique credentials—most of the remaining 29 databases had not been publicly reported before. These leaked collections are often only temporarily available online before being removed, but new compilations are regularly uploaded, often every few weeks, with fresh data that could be weaponized by cybercriminals. The exact sources and individuals behind these leaks remain unknown. 

To avoid falling victim to similar malware attacks, experts advise staying away from third-party download platforms, especially when obtaining software for macOS. Users are encouraged to download apps directly from the Mac App Store or, if not available there, from a developer’s official website. Using cracked or pirated software significantly increases the risk of malware infection. 

Phishing scams remain another common threat vector. Users should be cautious about clicking on links in unsolicited emails or messages. Even if a message appears to come from a trusted company, it’s vital to verify the sender’s address and inspect URLs carefully. You can do this by copying the link and pasting it into a text editor to see its actual destination before clicking. 

To reduce the chance of visiting malicious sites, double-check the spelling of URLs typed manually and consider bookmarking commonly used sites. Alternatively, using a search engine and clicking on verified results can reduce the risk of visiting typo-squatting domains. 

If you suspect your credentials may have been compromised, take immediate action. Start by updating passwords on any affected services and enabling two-factor authentication for added security. It’s also wise to check your financial statements for unauthorized activity and consider placing a freeze on your credit file to prevent fraudulent account openings. 

Additionally, tools like Have I Been Pwned can help verify if your email address has been part of a known breach. Always install the latest system and app updates, as they often include crucial security patches. Staying current with updates is a simple but effective defense against vulnerabilities and threats.
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TransUnion
Data Breach Experian N4ughtySecTU personal data leak Ransom Demand South Africa data breach TransUnion

Data Breach Threat: Hackers Target TransUnion and Experian, Demand R1.1 Billion Ransom

 

 In a recent development, two of South Africa's largest credit bureaus, TransUnion and Experian, have been targeted by hackers known as N4ughtySecTU, who claim to have gained access to sensitive financial and personal data of South African citizens.

TransUnion has confirmed the hackers' demand for a R1.1 billion ransom and their ultimatum of releasing the confidential information within 72 hours. However, TransUnion maintains that they have found no evidence of a security breach and that their systems remain intact.

This is not the first time TransUnion has been subjected to cyberattacks. Last year, the hackers demanded a R223 million ransom.

In August 2020, Experian experienced a significant data breach, exposing the personal information of over 20 million South Africans and 793,749 businesses to a fraudster named Karabo Phungula, who was later sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Despite the allegations, Experian has also denied any data compromise, stating that their systems remain secure and that they take such threats very seriously. "Protecting our customers and data is our top priority," Experian asserted.

As the situation unfolds, both TransUnion and Experian continue to monitor the situation closely and maintain that their priority remains safeguarding their customers' data and ensuring the integrity of their systems.
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