BCBS Hacked: A Comprehensive Guide to the Incident

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Crop hacker silhouette typing on computer keyboard while hacking system
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The BCBS hack was a significant incident that affected millions of people. The breach was discovered in 2015.

The hackers gained access to sensitive information, including names, dates of birth, and social security numbers. This information was stolen from BCBS's servers.

BCBS took immediate action to contain the breach and prevent further unauthorized access. The company notified affected individuals and offered them credit monitoring services.

BCBS's efforts to contain the breach were criticized for being too slow, allowing hackers to steal sensitive information for an extended period.

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What Happened?

On January 29, 2015, Anthem discovered the unauthorized access of consumer information.

The breach included member names, member health identification numbers, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, employment information, and income data.

Not all members or former members had all of this information taken - for some, only some of the information was compromised.

The breach was discovered by a database administrator who noticed their credentials were being used without their knowledge or consent.

Anthem immediately shut down the database access and required every employee to reset their passwords.

Anthem has 37 million enrollees nationwide, and the data breach also includes past enrollees, potentially affecting up to 80 million people.

Impact and Affected Parties

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Up to 78.8 million people, including minors under the age of 18, may have had their information compromised in the bcbs hack. This is a staggering number of individuals affected.

The breach was not limited to a specific group, but rather impacted current and past enrollees dating back to 2004, including independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans.

The largest number of records stolen were from Anthem's California customers, with 13.5 million records accessed by hackers.

Here is a breakdown of the affected parties:

  • Current and past enrollees dating back to 2004
  • Independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans
  • Minors under the age of 18

Who Was Affected?

Up to 78.8 million people, including minors under the age of 18, may have had their information compromised in the cyberattack. This staggering number includes current and past enrollees dating back to 2004, as well as individuals with independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans.

A significant portion of these records belonged to Californians, with 13.5 million records containing personal information accessed by hackers.

How Many Accounts Were Hacked?

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The breach compromised the personal information of approximately 10.5 million individuals.

This is a staggering number, and it's essential to understand the scale of the issue.

The compromised accounts are a significant concern, as the breach has put sensitive information at risk.

On a similar theme: Bcbs Cyber Attack

Was I Affected?

If you're wondering if you were affected by the data breach, it's worth checking. Up to 78.8 million people, including minors under the age of 18, may have had their information compromised.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield reached out to affected users and offered them two years of free credit monitoring and identity theft monitoring services. If you believe you were affected but didn't receive a notification, you can visit HaveIBeenPwned to check your credentials.

The breach affected current and past enrollees dating back to 2004, including independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. In total, up to 78.8 million people were potentially affected.

If you're unsure about the breach, you can contact Excellus BlueCross BlueShield's support directly for more specific help and instructions.

The breach compromised the personal information of approximately 10.5 million individuals, and 13.5 million records of Californians were accessed by hackers in the Anthem cyberattack.

Data Protection and Investigation

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The Excellus BlueCross BlueShield breach serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust data protection measures. Hackers gained access to administrative controls, rendering encryption ineffective, and the breach remained undetected for over a year.

The company's response to the hacking incident was swift and comprehensive. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield closed the vulnerability and remediating their IT systems, working with cybersecurity firm Mandiant to strengthen and enhance their security.

Excellus also took steps to protect affected individuals, offering two years of free credit monitoring and identity theft monitoring services.

What Data Was Exposed?

The data exposed in a breach can be incredibly sensitive and personal. Names, addresses, and birthdates were all part of the leaked information.

This kind of data can be used for identity theft, making it a serious concern. Social Security numbers were also exposed, which is a major red flag.

Financial account information and credit card numbers were also compromised, leaving individuals vulnerable to financial crimes. Claims data and clinical information were also part of the breach.

This can be a huge blow to individuals who have had their medical records compromised. Health plan ID numbers were also exposed, which can be used to access medical records.

Excellus Data Breach Investigation

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The Excellus BlueCross BlueShield data breach was a sophisticated cyberattack that remained undetected for over two years.

Hackers gained access to administrative controls, rendering encryption ineffective, and the breach was only discovered in August 2015 by cybersecurity firm Mandiant during a forensic assessment.

Excellus BCBS found out about the hack on August 5, 2015, after conducting their own investigation due to other hacks on insurance providers.

The breach affected anyone who had treatment in the 31-county upstate New York service areas of Excellus BCBS.

It took BCBS over two years to discover the hack because hackers have techniques to hide their traces, according to John Chriswell, an assistant computer science professor at the University of Rochester.

BCBS is taking steps to close the vulnerability and strengthen its IT systems, and has already taken aggressive steps to remediate its IT system.

The company is offering two years of free identity theft protection to those affected, and has set up an informational hotline for customers with questions.

BCBS' CEO Christopher Booth stated that protecting personal information is one of their top priorities and they take this issue very seriously.

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Response and Solution

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Excellus BlueCross BlueShield took several measures to enhance their security and prevent future breaches.

The company closed the vulnerability, remediating their IT systems, and worked with cybersecurity firm Mandiant to strengthen and enhance the security of their IT systems.

Excellus developed a strategy to dispose of records containing personal and protected health information within one year of the original retention period.

The company increased its minimum information security budget to better protect sensitive data.

Excellus implemented specific security measures to make its network more secure, reducing the risk of future breaches.

Affected individuals were offered two years of free credit monitoring and identity theft monitoring services.

Intriguing read: Bcbs Company

Cyberattack Details

The Excellus BlueCross BlueShield cyberattack was a sophisticated breach that went undetected for over two years.

Hackers had access to the company's IT system since December 2013, but it wasn't until August 5, 2015, that the company discovered the hack.

The breach affected anyone who had treatment in the 31-county upstate New York service areas of Excellus BCBS.

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The hackers were able to hide their traces, making it difficult for the company to detect the breach.

According to John Chriswell, an assistant computer science professor at the University of Rochester, hackers have techniques to hide their digital footprints.

The breach was only discovered after a cybersecurity firm, Mandiant, conducted a forensic assessment in August 2015.

Excellus BCBS has since taken steps to close the vulnerability and strengthen its IT systems.

The company has offered two years of free identity theft protection to those affected by the breach.

A hotline has been set up for customers with questions, with the number 1-877-589-3331.

Wilbur Huels

Senior Writer

Here is a 100-word author bio for Wilbur Huels: Wilbur Huels is a seasoned writer with a keen interest in finance and investing. With a strong background in research and analysis, he brings a unique perspective to his writing, making complex topics accessible to a wide range of readers. His articles have been featured in various publications, covering topics such as investment funds and their role in shaping the global financial landscape.

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