‘CyberGuy’: Protect your data
Kurt Knutsson joins “FOX & Friends” to discuss how your smart home cameras could be spying on you and how to combat phone addiction.
No industry is safe from data breaches. Over the past few months alone, we’ve seen security incidents hit almost every sector, including healthcare, finance and tech. Now, the shipping industry has joined the list, with a major global shipper that works with Amazon, eBay and Shopify exposing 14 million records.
To make things worse, the open instance was found in December during the peak of international shipping when people are sending and receiving gifts all over the world. Researchers traced it back to an unprotected AWS bucket owned by Hipshipper.
Amazon boxes with labels on top. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What you need to know
Hipshipper, a shipping platform used by sellers on eBay, Shopify and Amazon, accidentally exposed millions of shipping labels with personal customer information. Researchers at Cybernews found the exposed data in December 2024, but it wasn’t fixed until January, meaning it was open for at least a month. Hipshipper helps people ship packages to over 150 countries, offering tracking, free insurance and easy..are a prime target for hackers, and relying on large, well-known firms doesn’t always protect your information. Recent breaches involving companies like show that even big-name retailers can suffer significant security lapses.
Illustration of a hacker at work. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
FROM TIKTOK TO TROUBLE: HOW YOUR ONLINE DATA CAN BE WEAPONIZED AGAINST YOU
What data was leaked?
Researchers believe the exposed bucket contained sensitive information about buyers, including their full names, home addresses, phone numbers and order details such as mailing dates and parcel information. While there’s no direct evidence that cybercriminals accessed the exposed data, millions of malicious actors use automated bots to search the internet for similar leaks, hoping to find data they can use for harmful purposes.
These criminals could exploit the leaked information to launch scams and phishing attacks. For instance, they might pretend to be trusted companies and send fake messages that use specific order details to pressure people into urgently verifying personal or financial information. Unfortunately, retail companies are a prime target for hackers, and relying on large, well-known firms doesn’t always protect your information. Recent breaches involving companies like show that even big-name retailers can suffer significant security lapses.
Illustration of a hacker at work. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
FROM TIKTOK TO TROUBLE: HOW YOUR ONLINE DATA CAN BE WEAPONIZED AGAINST YOU
7 ways you can protect yourself after a data breach like this
1) Beware of phishing attempts and use strong antivirus software: After a data breach, scammers often use the stolen data to craft convincing phishing messages. These can come via email, text or phone calls, pretending to be from trusted companies. Be extra cautious about unsolicited messages with links asking for personal or financial details, even if they reference recent orders or transactions. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Cyberguy.com/Newsletter. Share your thoughts, request coverage on specific topics, or ask questions here
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