The cyberattacks perpetrated against Target, Equifax, Sony Pictures and RSA illustrate the devastating effects these assaults can have on the security, privacy and viability of the affected companies.

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The most famous cyber-attacks on companies: the dangers of theft of sensitive information

In today's digital age, companies face a constant and growing threat: the theft of sensitive information stored on their computers. This risk not only compromises the integrity and privacy of the company's data, but can also have devastating consequences for its reputation and financial viability.

Ever since services were digitized and businesses decided to migrate part of their information to the cloud due to the numerous advantages it offers, the truth is that companies have suffered numerous cyber-attacks, sometimes perpetrated by a single individual, sometimes by several; and the purpose of these attacks has also been diverse, as sometimes the motive of these attacks was due to mere fun or entertainment of the hacker and, other times, had to do with industrial espionage or the theft of personal data.

These events have not only shaken the affected companies, but have also greatly impacted cyber security globally.

One of the most serious dangers faced by companies is the theft of sensitive information, which can range from financial and intellectual property data to personal information of employees and customers.

Hackers and cybercriminals employ a variety of sophisticated techniques to infiltrate corporate computer systems and gain access to this information. This can include phishing attacks, malware, social engineering and exploiting vulnerabilities in software. Once hackers gain access, they can steal, manipulate or even destroy sensitive data, which can have catastrophic consequences for the affected company.

These were the most notorious cyberattacks in history that illustrate the above dangers:

Attack on Target Corporation's network

In 2013, a group of hackers managed to compromise Target's point-of-sale network, gaining access to data from more than 40 million customer credit and debit cards.

The hackers managed to infiltrate the system through an HVAC service provider that had access to Target's network. This attack not only resulted in significant financial losses for Target, including remediation costs and compensation to those affected, but also damaged its reputation and customer confidence in the security of their data.

Attack on Equifax

In 2017 hackers exploited a vulnerability in Equifax's software to access the personal data of more than 147 million people, including names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth and addresses.

This attack represented one of the largest data thefts in history and had devastating consequences for Equifax, which faced lawsuits, government investigations and a massive loss of public trust.

Attack on Sony Pictures

In 2014, one of the most notorious politically motivated cyberattacks took place. In this case, a hacker group backed by the North Korean government, known as "Guardians of Peace", penetrated the Sony Pictures network and leaked a large amount of confidential information, including emails, internal documents and yet to be released movies.

This attack was in retaliation for the movie "The Interview," which mocked North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. In addition to financial and reputational damage, this attack raised concerns about cybersecurity in the entertainment industry and freedom of expression in the digital world.

Attack on the computer security company RSA

In 2011, the computer security company RSA suffered a cyberattack. In this case, hackers used a sophisticated phishing technique targeting the company's employees to gain access to its internal network. Once inside, the hackers stole information related to RSA's two-factor authentication system, raising concerns about the security of millions of users around the world who rely on its products.

Although the full extent of the impact was not disclosed, this attack underscored the importance of protecting not only sensitive data, but also the tools and technologies used to protect it.

Conclusion

The dangers of the theft of sensitive information stored on computers pose a significant threat to businesses in the digital age. The most famous cyber-attacks in history, such as those perpetrated against Target, Equifax, Sony Pictures and RSA, illustrate the devastating effects these attacks can have on the security, privacy and viability of affected companies.

In the face of this growing threat, it is crucial that companies invest in robust cyber security measures and be prepared to defend against constant and increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks.