Lowell Hit With Cyber Attack: Some Data Released to Dark Web

Imagine waking up one morning to find out that your personal information, including your name, social security number, and credit card details, have been stolen in a cyber attack. That's exactly what happened to the residents of Lowell, a historic Massachusetts city.

According to a report by NBC Boston, Lowell was hit with a cyber attack, and some data was released to the dark web, a part of the internet that is hidden and used for illegal activities. The cyber criminals behind the attack demanded a ransom from the city, which was not paid.

The cyber attack affected the city's municipal government, school department, police department, and library. As a result, residents were unable to pay bills, access critical services, or use their library cards.

The Cost of Cyber Attacks

Cyber attacks like the one that hit Lowell can have severe consequences, both for individuals and businesses. Here are some quantifiable examples:

• Cyber crime could cost businesses more than $500 billion globally every year. (source: Journal of Accounting and Finance)
• The average cost of a data breach is $3.86 million. (source: IBM)
• 60% of small companies that suffer a cyber attack go out of business within 6 months. (source: National Cyber Security Alliance)

Protecting Yourself from Cyber Attacks

Here are some practical tips to protect yourself from cyber attacks:

• Use strong passwords that are difficult to guess.
• Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.
• Be cautious when opening email attachments or clicking on links, especially from unknown senders.
• Update your software regularly to fix vulnerabilities.
• Back up your data regularly to minimize the impact of a data breach.

The Importance of Cybersecurity

The cyber attack on Lowell highlights the importance of cybersecurity for individuals and businesses. Here are three key takeaways from this incident:

• Cyber attacks are on the rise, and no one is immune.
• Protecting your personal information is essential in the digital age.
• Investing in cybersecurity can save you time, money, and headaches in the long run.

Don't wait until it's too late to protect yourself and your business from cyber attacks. Take steps today to prevent a costly data breach.

References:

• https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/lowell-hit-with-cyber-attack-some-data-released-to-dark-web-report/2477841/
• https://www.joint-accountingfin.com/2018/04/08/cybercrime2020/
• https://www.ibm.com/security/data-breach
• https://staysafeonline.org/resource/cybersecurity-small-business/

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#cybersecurity #cyberattack #dataBreach #LowellCyberAttack #protectyourself #onlineSafety #cybercrime

Category:

Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, Information Security