Sony Hack Exposes Social Security Numbers

Sony Hack Exposes Social Security Numbers

According to a report, the Sony Pictures hack has revealed sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers, of more than 47,000 current and former Sony employees.  The Social Security numbers appeared more than 1.1 million times in the 601 publicly-posted files stolen by hackers.

Other data has also been confirmed to be exposed, including full names, dates of birth, and home addresses.

"The most concerning finding in our analysis is the sheer number of duplicate copies of Social Security numbers that existed inside the files," Identify Finder CEO Todd Feinman said in a statement. "In this instance, some SSNs appeared in more than 400 different locations, giving hackers more opportunities to wreak havoc.”

As the investigation continues, the FBI recently issued a warning to U.S. businesses about malicious software like the kind that took down Sony's internal network. The "flash" warning provided technical details about how the attack was pulled off, as well as advice on how to respond to similar malware.

"As we have seen from the myriad data breaches this year, every organization is vulnerable to an attack," Identify Finder's Feinman said. "Security technologies are an important shield, but minimizing the target and reducing the footprint of sensitive data is more critical than ever."

About the Author

Matt Holden is an Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media, Inc. He received his MFA and BA in journalism from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He currently writes and edits for Occupational Health & Safety magazine, and Security Today.

Featured

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.