Technology
2016 Data Breaches Have Exposed 4.3 Million Records
March 11, 2016 10:40 am
Last Updated: January 13, 2020 12:04 pm
The latest count from the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) reports that there has been a total of 139 data breaches recorded through March 8, 2016, and that nearly 4.3 million records have been exposed since the beginning of the year. The total number of records soared last week following a report from 21st Century Oncology that 2.2 million patient records may have been compromised in October 2015 but not reported until now. The prior week’s total number of exposed records was around 1.8 million.
The operator of 145 oncology centers in the United States said that it withheld notice of the breach at the request of the FBI to avoid interfering with the agency’s investigation. The company said that it has no indication that any of the stolen information has been misused, but it is notifying affected customers and offering one year of free credit protection services to those who ask for it.
The total number of breaches in 2015 came in at 781, just two shy of the record 783 breaches that ITRC tracked in 2014. The 139 data breaches reported so far for 2016 is 4.5% higher than the number reported for the same period last year. A total of more than 169 million records were exposed in 2015.
Here’s a rundown of the ITRC report for last week:
Since beginning to track data breaches in 2005, ITRC had counted 5,810 breaches through December 2015, involving nearly 848 million records.
Sponsored: Tips for Investing
A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.