Righto, I’ve got some rather interesting news for you, folks. Jeremiah Fowler, a well-known cybersecurity aficionado, recently stumbled across another one of those databases packed with personal records – hundreds of thousands of them to be exact. Now, he’s not entirely sure, but it appears this database might be the property of SL Data Services, LLC. The chaps over at WebsitePlanet went one step further, suggesting that SL Data Services operates around 16 different websites offering a smorgasbord of information services. Interesting, wouldn’t you say?
So, let’s get to the meat of it – this database wasn’t just left open to the world, it was practically making a spectacle of itself. Not a smidgen of a password or encryption whiff to be found. Now, it’s chock full of PDFs — we’re talking nearly 650,000 documents weighing in at a hefty 713.1 GB. Now, these aren’t just your run-of-the-mill files; they’re the juicy stuff: court records, vehicle records (including license plates and VINs), property ownership records, and more.
But, here’s the real kicker: around 95% of these documents were labelled ‘background checks.’ You know the type – full name (first, middle, last), home address, telephone number, email, employment status, family ties, social media handles, and even criminal record history. I mean, you can picture it, right? It’s as if these individuals are standing there in broad daylight, their whole life sprawled out for anyone who cares to have a gander. Talk about a privacy nightmare.
Now, we’ve got to wonder how long this massive database was sat there, blaring out its secrets before Mr. Fowler happened upon it. To date, nobody really knows. Only a deep dive into the innards of this database by a forensic auditing team could reveal any additional breaches or questionable intrusions. Our man Jeremiah tried to raise the alarm with SL Data Services, but alas, he’s heard nought back from them.
So, what now? Will there be any formal notifications sent out to regulators? Maybe individuals whose data is currently waltzing about in the open? At this point, we’re in the dark too. Our friends over at DataBreaches are keeping a keen eye on this situation. After all, there’s always the risk that this treasure trove of personal data might make an appearance in one of those shady hacker forums.
In conclusion, all we can do at this moment is to keep vigilant, aware, and be ready to modify and strengthen our cybersecurity practices. This tale goes beyond being a mere blip on the radar; it’s an alarm bell that echoes the need for stringent data privacy and protection standards. Keep those eyes peeled, chaps. Who knows what the virtual wind will blow our way next?
by Parker Bytes
