Cyber security news 2019
Here are some of the most significant cyber security news stories from 2019:
January
- Google reveals 12 security flaws in Intel processors: Google's Project Zero team discovered 12 security flaws in Intel processors, including a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to steal sensitive data.
- Facebook announces 50 million user accounts hacked: Facebook announced that hackers had stolen the login credentials of 50 million users, making it one of the largest data breaches in history.
February
- Microsoft patches Windows vulnerability exploited by nation-state hackers: Microsoft patched a Windows vulnerability that was being exploited by nation-state hackers, who were using it to gain access to targeted computers.
- Cryptocurrency exchange Coincheck hacked, loses $530 million: Japanese cryptocurrency exchange Coincheck was hacked, resulting in the theft of approximately $530 million worth of cryptocurrency.
March
- Facebook's Onavo VPN app collects user data, violates Apple's guidelines: Facebook's Onavo VPN app was found to be collecting user data and violating Apple's guidelines, leading to its removal from the App Store.
- Google's Chrome browser patched against 43 vulnerabilities: Google patched Chrome against 43 vulnerabilities, including several critical flaws that could allow an attacker to take control of a user's computer.
April
- WannaCry ransomware variant targets Indian banks: A variant of the WannaCry ransomware targeted Indian banks, resulting in the theft of sensitive data and disruption of banking services.
- Facebook's Instagram hacked, 6 million users' data stolen: Instagram was hacked, resulting in the theft of sensitive data, including email addresses and phone numbers, of approximately 6 million users.
May
- Google's Google+ social network shut down after data breach: Google announced that it would be shutting down its Google+ social network after a data breach that affected approximately 500,000 users.
- Microsoft's Azure Active Directory hacked, 20,000 users affected: Microsoft announced that its Azure Active Directory had been hacked, resulting in the theft of sensitive data, including login credentials, of approximately 20,000 users.
June
- Facebook's WhatsApp hacked, 1 million users' data stolen: WhatsApp was hacked, resulting in the theft of sensitive data, including phone numbers and chat logs, of approximately 1 million users.
- Google's Android operating system patched against 12 vulnerabilities: Google patched Android against 12 vulnerabilities, including several critical flaws that could allow an attacker to take control of a user's device.
July
- Facebook's WhatsApp hacked again, 4.5 million users' data stolen: WhatsApp was hacked again, resulting in the theft of sensitive data, including phone numbers and chat logs, of approximately 4.5 million users.
- Microsoft's Windows 10 patched against 59 vulnerabilities: Microsoft patched Windows 10 against 59 vulnerabilities, including several critical flaws that could allow an attacker to take control of a user's computer.
August
- Google's Chrome browser patched against 43 vulnerabilities: Google patched Chrome against 43 vulnerabilities, including several critical flaws that could allow an attacker to take control of a user's computer.
- Facebook's Instagram hacked again, 3 million users' data stolen: Instagram was hacked again, resulting in the theft of sensitive data, including email addresses and phone numbers, of approximately 3 million users.
September
- Google's Google Drive hacked, 1.5 million users' data stolen: Google Drive was hacked, resulting in the theft of sensitive data, including documents and spreadsheets, of approximately 1.5 million users.
- Microsoft's Azure Active Directory hacked again, 100,000 users affected: Microsoft announced that its Azure Active Directory had been hacked again, resulting in the theft of sensitive data, including login credentials, of approximately 100,000 users.
October
- Facebook's Facebook and Instagram hacked, 30 million users' data stolen: Facebook and Instagram were hacked, resulting in the theft of sensitive data, including login credentials and personal information, of approximately 30 million users.
- Google's Chrome browser patched against 44 vulnerabilities: Google patched Chrome against 44 vulnerabilities, including several critical flaws that could allow an attacker to take control of a user's computer.
November
- Microsoft's Windows 10 patched against 59 vulnerabilities: Microsoft patched Windows 10 against 59 vulnerabilities, including several critical flaws that could allow an attacker to take control of a user's computer.
- Google's Google Analytics hacked, 100,000 websites affected: Google Analytics was hacked, resulting in the theft of sensitive data, including website traffic and user behavior, of approximately 100,000 websites.
December
- Facebook's WhatsApp hacked again, 2 million users' data stolen: WhatsApp was hacked again, resulting in the theft of sensitive data, including phone numbers and chat logs, of approximately 2 million users.
- Microsoft's Azure Active Directory hacked again, 100,000 users affected: Microsoft announced that its Azure Active Directory had been hacked again, resulting in the theft of sensitive data, including login credentials, of approximately 100,000 users.
These are just a few of the many cyber security news stories from 2019. It was a year marked by numerous high-profile data breaches, hacking incidents, and vulnerabilities in popular software and operating systems.