Misconfigured Database Spurs Theft of 63 Million OneMoreLead Records
Table of Contents
- By Steven
- Published: Aug 16, 2022
- Last Updated: Aug 16, 2022
OneMoreLead, a business-to-business (B2B) marketing enterprise, suffered a significant data breach late last year. The marketing company left a database misconfigured, prompting the unintentional leaking of 63 million records.
How was the Data Illegally Accessed?
The information was found within the unsecured database. A company employee errantly left the database open for access, allowing hackers to view and steal the data in question.
How Many People are Impacted by the Breach?
In total, the database in question contained more than 120 million records. The records included information ranging from email addresses to full names, occupations, phone numbers, addresses, IP addresses, and more. Furthermore, the records accessed in the attack also include information about police, government employees, and other parties aside from OneMoreLead employees.
Though the database accessed in the attack had more than 100 million records, hackers accessed only some of those records. It appears that slightly more than 60 million records were accessed by the hacker or hackers responsible for the attack.
Who Conducted the Hack?
OneMoreLead and the digital forensics specialists who have analyzed the attack are uncertain which hacker or hacking group is responsible. However, we must note that OneMoreLead has admitted fault for the data exposure, highlighting that its failure to configure a database properly was the root cause of the unauthorized data access.
How will the Data be Used?
Digital security professionals insist the illegally accessed data will be used for identity theft and interference in the context of geopolitics. The stolen data may end up in the hands of foreign governments or hackers that work for those power brokers.
At the very least, phishing campaigns will stem from the attack in which targets are manipulated by electronic messages to take a specific action. Such attacks can lead to the revelation of sensitive information, clicking a malicious link in an email, downloading a harmful attachment, or manipulation in some other way.
Why was the Database Left Misconfigured?
Some of those working in the cybersecurity industry have questioned why the database was left misconfigured. The data was left out in the open, available to all parties on a partially finished website of a business lacking a steady influx of customers. In other words, OneMoreLead appears to be somewhat of a poorly-run marketing startup that opened the door for financial fraud against its employees, customers, business partners, and other parties.
The key takeaway from this story is to sweat the small stuff of digital security. Whether you are a business with databases requiring proper configuration, an everyday person who uses a computer, or use tech for another purpose, it is in your interest to bolster your digital protections with regularity. Seize the opportunity to upgrade your computer and network defenses today, and you’ll rest easy knowing your tech investment is well-protected against the onslaught of online attacks.
