A new cyber-attack on a corporation primarily based in Seattle, Washington, may perhaps have compromised the information of hundreds of thousands of motorists residing in California.
The California Section of Motor Cars has contracted with Computerized Resources Transfer Solutions, Inc. (AFTS) given that 2019 to cross-reference addresses with the nationwide databases as part of a approach to make sure the addresses to which automobile registration renewal notices are mailed are proper.
According to a assertion introduced by the DMV on Wednesday, data belonging to its prospects may well have been compromised when AFTS was hit with a ransomware attack before this month.
“Automated Cash Transfer Products and services, Inc. (AFTS) of Seattle was the victim of a ransomware attack in early February that may have compromised info furnished to AFTS by the DMV, which include the last 20 months of California auto registration documents that include names, addresses, license plate numbers and auto identification numbers (VIN),” said the DMV.
“AFTS does not have entry to DMV customers’ Social Security figures, birthdates, voter registration, immigration status or driver’s license data, thus this details was not compromised.”
Due to the fact studying of the security incident, the DMV has ceased all info transfers to AFTS and documented the cybercrime to legislation enforcement, together with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“Data privateness is a major precedence for the DMV. We are investigating this latest knowledge breach of a DMV vendor in order to quickly offer clarity on how it may perhaps impact Californians,” said DMV director Steve Gordon.
“We are looking at more measures to put into action to bolster security to protect details held by the DMV and businesses that we deal with.”
Officers at the DMV claimed that no proof had occur to light that California drivers’ information stolen in the attack experienced been misused.
“While the DMV Investigations department has no indication at this time that information and facts accessed by the ransomware attack on AFTS has been applied by the attackers for any nefarious explanation, the DMV urges customers to report any suspect exercise to regulation enforcement,” officers reported in a statement seen by ABC News.
“The DMV will keep on to observe the circumstance and get the job done with the proper legislation enforcement businesses.”
Statistics based on 2019 inhabitants estimates propose that California, with far more than 26 million accredited motorists, has extra licensed motorists than any other point out.
Some parts of this article are sourced from:
www.infosecurity-magazine.com