Hackers Expose Data of Half a Million Ohio Residents [Video]

The personal data of approximately 500,000 residents of Columbus, Ohio, was exposed following a ransomware attack on the city’s network systems by Rhysida, a relatively new but increasingly notorious cybercriminal organization.

Personal information including bank account details and Social Security numbers were taken by the cybercriminal group, who have previously targeted the Department of Health and the Chilean Army.

The full extent of the incident was revealed when a data breach notification was filed by the City on October 7 with the Office of the Attorney General for the state of Maine, indicating it had affected 500,000 individuals, including 24 Maine residents.

A letter, sent to half a million affected individuals, stated that “the information involved in the Incident may have included your personal information, such as your first and last name, date of birth, address, bank account information, driver’s license(s), Social Security number, and other identifying information concerning you …