Farrukh Mushtaq, a digital marketer at PureSquare, possesses a keen interest in cybersecurity and enjoys writing about it. With several years of experience in the digital marketing industry, he brings expertise and passion to his work.
In 2024, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE), one of the leading tech companies, suffered a massive cyberattack. The hacker group IntelBroker claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they had stolen important data from HPE's systems.
This data is valuable and, if misused, could seriously damage the company and its clients. In this blog, we'll explain what happened, what kind of data was exposed, and what you can do to protect your information.
What Happened in the HPE Data Breach?
IntelBroker, a hacker group, broke into HPE's systems and stole important information. The exposed data include the following:
Source Code: The computer code that powers HPE's products and services.
Private GitHub Repositories are online storage spaces for HPE's coding projects and development work.
Access Keys: These digital keys let users access HPE's internal systems and services.
Personal Information: Some personal information, like the names and contact details of HPE employees, was also exposed in the breach.
IntelBroker is a hacker group that often targets big data companies. They had also attacked well-known companies, such as AMD, Cisco, and Nokia, to name a few.
What Are the Risks of Exposed Data?
When sensitive data is exposed in a breach, it can lead to various risks. Here's what could happen with each type of exposed information:
Source Code: Hackers could exploit vulnerabilities in the code, putting HPE's products and users at risk of further attacks.
Private Repositories: Exposure to private coding projects could damage HPE's reputation and security.
API Access Keys: Hackers could use these keys to get into HPE's internal systems, steal sensitive information, or cause damage.
Personal Information: Exposed personal information can lead to identity theft, phishing, and financial fraud.
What Should I Do in Case of a Data Breach?
If your information was involved in a data breach, here are a few steps you can take to minimize the damage:
If Source Code or API Keys Are Exposed
Watch for any unusual activity in your accounts or services.
Immediately change any compromised API keys to block unauthorized access.
If Your Personal Information is Exposed:
Contact major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, Transunion, etc.) and place a fraud alert on your account to prevent unauthorized credit activity.
Regularly check your bank and credit card report for suspicious activity.
Freezing your credit can prevent anyone from opening new accounts in your name.
If GitHub Repositories Are Exposed:
Check your coding projects for any vulnerabilities or security risks.
This adds an extra layer of protection to your online accounts.
The Dark Web EXPOSED: What It Really Is and Why You Should Care!
How to Minimize Damage During Data Breaches?
If your personal information has been leaked online, here are some steps to minimize the impact:
Dark Web Monitoring: Monitor the dark web for any exposed personal details, like credit card numbers, email addresses, or passwords.
Tracker Blocker: Detect and block trackers that follow your online activities and browsing habits no matter your location.
Remove My Information: Send data removal requests to websites and data brokers to remove your personal data.
Social Media Privacy Settings: Review and adjust your social media privacy settings to protect yourself from potential threats and hacking attempts.
Use Dark Web Monitoring to Get Alerts About Information Leaks
Your personal information is a target for hackers and scammers, that will ruin your online identity and finances.
Imagine losing your hard-earned money, your reputation, and your peace of mind to a cybercriminal.
With PurePrivacy, you can scan the Dark Web 24/7 and receive alert notifications whenever someone posts your private information (name, address, credit card details, credentials, SSN). At only $5.83/month, you'll get instant dark web alerts and the power to stop data breaches dead in their tracks.
The breach resulted from a cyberattack by the hacker group IntelBroker after they found and used flaws in HPE's systems to access sensitive data.
Was customer data exposed in the HPE breach?
According to HPE, no customer data was compromised during the breach. The exposed data mainly involved HPE's internal systems and employee information.
What steps should I take if my data is exposed?
If your personal information is compromised, you should notify the credit bureaus, check your financial accounts regularly, and change the passwords.
How can businesses protect themselves from data breaches?
Businesses should keep their systems updated, use strong security methods like two-factor authentication, and watch for suspicious activity.
Has IntelBroker attacked other companies?
IntelBroker is known for targeting other major companies, including AMD, Cisco, and Nokia.
Wrapping Up!
Data breaches can threaten your security, so stay alert and act fast if your information is exposed. Keep your accounts secure with strong protections and regular monitoring to stay one step ahead!