CRIME
Ticketmaster 560 million hack: what should I do if I think my data is stolen?
Authorities have confirmed that the Ticketmaster hack could mean that the private data of more than 560 million users worldwide has been compromised.
Ticketmaster has suffered a massive data hack. Through a post made on the dark web, a group of hackers called ShinyHunters has put up for sale the confidential information of 560 million customers worldwide.
How much are hackers demanding?
Among the exposed data, totaling more than 1.3 terabytes of information, are names, addresses, credit card details, and phone numbers. The hackers are demanding $500,000 for the sale of this information.
Initially, it was believed that CyberDaily’s breaking report was false, but the Australian Department of Home Affairs confirmed the hack to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), stating that the agency was aware of the data breach reported on the night of Tuesday 28 May.
“We are working with Ticketmaster to understand the incident,” said a spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs to ABC. So far, the company, owned by Live Nation, has not commented on the matter.
What to do if my information was compromised?
For now, we need to wait and see what happens, including what action the authorities can take to minimise the breach. Ticketmaster is expected to notify affected customers that their information has been compromised. However, users can take steps to secure their information. Computer experts suggest changing the passwords for their online accounts, as well as the email addresses associated with the platform.
“This could mean a potential risk of identity fraud, and we would assume that this data would be used in the future for phishing attacks or identity theft. (...) Users should be very vigilant with their email and who they respond to, and not provide any information to people attempting to deceive them,” cybersecurity expert and director of several technology companies, Mark Luki, said to ABC.
It’s not been a good time for the massive ticketing site. Only last week the United States Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit against them, with an eye on helping consumers by reducing the monopoly power of the company.