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Hertz confirms customer info, drivers’ licenses stolen in data breach

Car rental giant Hertz Corporation confirms it has suffered a data breach where customer information, including drivers’ licenses, for its Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar brands was stolen.

The theft took place amid the recent wave of Cleo zero-day attacks targeting major corporations around the world.

The Breach Details

The breach reportedly occurred when hackers exploited a zero-day vulnerability in Hertz’s data management software, developed by Cleo, a B2B integration software solutions provider.

The attackers capitalized on an exclusive weakness in the software that had not yet been discovered or patched by Cleo’s security team, hence the term ‘zero day’.

The stolen data included a wide range of private information, such as names, addresses, telephone numbers, and driver’s license numbers of Hertz customers.

The attack’s scale has not been disclosed, but the breach could potentially affect millions worldwide due to Hertz’s extensive global user base.

Ramifications for Users

Victims of the breach may be at risk of identity theft, financial fraud, and other privacy violations, given the amount of sensitive data exposed.

Such information can be sold on the Dark Web or used for spear-phishing attacks.

The Response

Hertz iterates its commitment to resolving the incident, working cohesively with its cybersecurity team and external cyber forensics firm to delve deep into the matter.

In addition, the company has contacted all potentially affected customers, urging them to remain vigilant for signs of any unauthorized activity on their accounts.

Preventive Measures

As a cybersecurity professional, this incident is a stark reminder of the importance to regularly update and patch your software.

Be proactive in monitoring potential vulnerabilities to prevent zero-day attacks.

It’s also critical to implement multi-factor authentication on online platforms to add another layer of security.

Lessons Learned

Data breaches like this underline the growing necessity for robust cybersecurity measures in all businesses.

They also emphasize the gravity of the situation, as any lapse in security could lead to significant losses, both financially and in terms of public trust.

Follow-Up Reading

• Wired’s deep dive into Cleo zero-day attacks
• Forbes’s article on the impact of zero-day vulnerabilities on businesses
• NPR’s piece on the Hertz data breach and the implications for the car rental industry

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