Elon Musk’s Twitter (aka X) is getting pounded this week with extensive cyberattacks. As in the past, hackers sometimes target huge websites, causing chaos, lost revenue, and public panic. These massive hacks show how vulnerable even giants can be.
Let’s explore 10 of the biggest hacks that brought major websites down.
Yahoo (2013-2014)
Yahoo suffered two separate breaches, one in 2013 and another in 2014, affecting a total of 3 billion accounts. Hackers stole usernames, emails, passwords, and personal information, marking one of the largest data breaches in history. Yahoo’s failure to disclose the breach immediately led to legal troubles and diminished user trust.
Sony Pictures Hack (2014)
A group known as the “Guardians of Peace,” linked to North Korea, hacked Sony Pictures in retaliation for “The Interview,” a film satirizing North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The attack leaked private emails, unreleased films, and confidential employee information. It led to massive operational disruptions and a significant increase in cybersecurity measures in Hollywood.
Equifax Data Breach (2017)
One of the most devastating breaches in financial history, the Equifax hack exposed the personal information of 147 million people, including Social Security numbers, birthdates, and addresses. The breach was caused by an unpatched security flaw, and Equifax faced billions in fines and lawsuits as a result.
WannaCry Ransomware (2017)
The WannaCry ransomware attack infected over 200,000 computers across 150 countries. The malware exploited a vulnerability in outdated Windows systems, encrypting files and demanding Bitcoin payments. Major institutions, including hospitals and government agencies, were severely impacted.
Dyn Cyberattack (2016)
A massive Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack targeted Dyn, a key provider of internet infrastructure. Hackers used a botnet of IoT devices infected with the Mirai malware to overwhelm Dyn’s servers. This attack temporarily brought down major websites like Twitter, Netflix, Reddit, and PayPal.
Target Data Breach (2013)
Hackers gained access to Target’s network through a third-party HVAC vendor and stole credit and debit card data from 40 million customers. Later investigations revealed that the breach also exposed personal details of 70 million individuals. Target faced heavy lawsuits and spent millions improving its security.
LinkedIn Data Breach (2012 & 2016)
In 2012, hackers stole 6.5 million LinkedIn passwords. The severity of the breach was underestimated until 2016, when it was revealed that 167 million accounts were actually compromised. Stolen credentials were sold on the dark web, forcing LinkedIn to implement stronger security measures.
Marriott Data Breach (2018)
Marriott’s Starwood Hotels database was hacked, exposing sensitive data of 500 million guests, including passport numbers and payment details. The breach, which began in 2014 but was only discovered in 2018, was linked to Chinese state-sponsored hackers.
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Facebook Data Breach (2019)
A security flaw in Facebook’s code exposed the personal data of over 530 million users. Hackers scraped information, including phone numbers and email addresses, from profiles. Though Facebook downplayed the breach, it raised serious concerns about user privacy and data security.
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GitHub DDoS Attack (2018)
GitHub experienced the largest recorded DDoS attack in history, peaking at 1.35 terabits per second (Tbps). The attackers exploited unprotected Memcached servers to amplify traffic, temporarily bringing GitHub offline. The company’s swift response prevented long-term damage and reinforced the need for robust DDoS protection.