IT Security Stories to Watch: Was TWC Customer Data Stolen?

Time Warner Cable (TWC) has reported the email addresses and passwords of up to 320,000 of its customers may have been compromised.

And, as a result, TWC tops this week’s list of IT security newsmakers to watch, followed by Uber, WhatsApp and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

What can managed service providers (MSPs) and their customers learn from these IT security newsmakers? Check out this week’s edition of IT security stories to watch to find out:

1. TWC customer data compromised

TWC said some of its customers’ email and password information may have been stolen. 

Reuters noted the incident may have occurred either through malware downloaded during phishing attacks or indirectly through data breaches of other companies that stored TWC’s customer information.

However, TWC pointed out there were no indications that its IT systems were breached.

2. Uber receives $20,000 fine due to data breach

Ridesharing service provider Uber will pay $20,000 due to its failure to provide notice of a data breach it disclosed in February 2015.

In addition, InformationWeek reported Uber will impose stricter controls on how it handles sensitive user data as part of a settlement with New York’s attorney general.

Uber also said it will keep location information in a password-protected system and will encrypt data in transit going forward.

3. Are hackers targeting WhatsApp users?

Cybercriminals may be targeting messaging app WhatsApp and its users. 

BGR reported hackers are designing custom malware for WhatsApp and using it as part of a phishing scheme that “attempts to convince users to click on links that hit their email disguised as an official email from the company.”

Also, hackers allegedly are using various subject lines to convince users to click on its malicious emails. 

4. Cybercriminals leverage fake IRS emails as part of malware campaign

Security firm Heimdal has discovered a malware campaign that leverages fake IRS emails to attack its targets.

The fraudulent emails claim to be related to tax refunds but include both the Kovter Trojan and CoreBOT malware, according to Digital Trends. 

“Don’t let your curiosity get the best of you: not only is it a fake email, but it also carries plenty of danger within,” Heimdal spokesperson Andra Zaharia said. 

What are your thoughts on this week’s IT security stories to watch? Share your thoughts about this story in the Comments section below, via Twitter @dkobialka or email me at [email protected].