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What happened in the TJ Maxx data breach?

What happened in the TJ Maxx data breach?

Twingate Team

May 23, 2024

In 2007, TJ Maxx, a multinational clothing and home goods retailer, experienced a significant data breach. The incident involved unauthorized access to the company's database, which contained sensitive information from a large number of customers. The breach occurred between July 2005 and December 2006, and it was reported to the public in January 2007. This event remains one of the largest and most impactful data breaches in history.

How many accounts were compromised?

The breach compromised data of approximately 94 million users.

What data was leaked?

The data exposed in the breach included credit card numbers, expiration dates, cardholder names, and other sensitive financial information.

How was TJ Maxx hacked?

Hackers exploited vulnerabilities in the wireless networks of two Marshalls stores in Miami, allowing them to install a sniffer program on TJX's systems. This malware captured sensitive data, including credit and debit card information, as it was transmitted over the network. The attackers also exfiltrated 80 gigabytes of stored data from a TJX server, transferring it to another location using the company's own high-speed connection. The stolen information included personal details such as names, addresses, and driver's license numbers.

TJ Maxx's solution

In response to the data breach, TJ Maxx took several measures to enhance its security and prevent future incidents. The company was ordered by the FTC to appoint a cybersecurity officer, identify specific administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, and certify their new cybersecurity program was operating efficiently each year for the next twenty years. TJ Maxx also paid significant sums of money to settle issues with credit card companies and attorneys general of multiple states, proving their IT systems were secure and providing restitution to affected customers for direct harm and credit monitoring.

How do I know if I was affected?

TJ Maxx reached out to affected users following the data breach. If you believe you may have been affected but did not receive a notification, you can visit Have I Been Pwned to check your credentials.

What should affected users do?

In general, affected users should:

  1. Change Your Password: Immediately update your password for the breached account. Make sure the new password is strong and unique, not previously used on any other platform.

  2. Reset Passwords for Other Accounts: If you've used the same or similar passwords for other online accounts, reset those as well. This is crucial as attackers often try using stolen passwords on multiple sites.

  3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on the breached account. Consider enabling this additional security feature on all other important online accounts to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

  4. Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your financial and personal accounts for any suspicious activity. Report any unauthorized transactions or changes to the appropriate institutions immediately.

For more specific help and instructions related to TJ Maxx's data breach, please contact TJ Maxx's support directly.

Where can I go to learn more?

For more information on the TJ Maxx data breach, check out the following news articles:

Rapidly implement a modern Zero Trust network that is more secure and maintainable than VPNs.

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What happened in the TJ Maxx data breach?

What happened in the TJ Maxx data breach?

Twingate Team

May 23, 2024

In 2007, TJ Maxx, a multinational clothing and home goods retailer, experienced a significant data breach. The incident involved unauthorized access to the company's database, which contained sensitive information from a large number of customers. The breach occurred between July 2005 and December 2006, and it was reported to the public in January 2007. This event remains one of the largest and most impactful data breaches in history.

How many accounts were compromised?

The breach compromised data of approximately 94 million users.

What data was leaked?

The data exposed in the breach included credit card numbers, expiration dates, cardholder names, and other sensitive financial information.

How was TJ Maxx hacked?

Hackers exploited vulnerabilities in the wireless networks of two Marshalls stores in Miami, allowing them to install a sniffer program on TJX's systems. This malware captured sensitive data, including credit and debit card information, as it was transmitted over the network. The attackers also exfiltrated 80 gigabytes of stored data from a TJX server, transferring it to another location using the company's own high-speed connection. The stolen information included personal details such as names, addresses, and driver's license numbers.

TJ Maxx's solution

In response to the data breach, TJ Maxx took several measures to enhance its security and prevent future incidents. The company was ordered by the FTC to appoint a cybersecurity officer, identify specific administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, and certify their new cybersecurity program was operating efficiently each year for the next twenty years. TJ Maxx also paid significant sums of money to settle issues with credit card companies and attorneys general of multiple states, proving their IT systems were secure and providing restitution to affected customers for direct harm and credit monitoring.

How do I know if I was affected?

TJ Maxx reached out to affected users following the data breach. If you believe you may have been affected but did not receive a notification, you can visit Have I Been Pwned to check your credentials.

What should affected users do?

In general, affected users should:

  1. Change Your Password: Immediately update your password for the breached account. Make sure the new password is strong and unique, not previously used on any other platform.

  2. Reset Passwords for Other Accounts: If you've used the same or similar passwords for other online accounts, reset those as well. This is crucial as attackers often try using stolen passwords on multiple sites.

  3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on the breached account. Consider enabling this additional security feature on all other important online accounts to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

  4. Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your financial and personal accounts for any suspicious activity. Report any unauthorized transactions or changes to the appropriate institutions immediately.

For more specific help and instructions related to TJ Maxx's data breach, please contact TJ Maxx's support directly.

Where can I go to learn more?

For more information on the TJ Maxx data breach, check out the following news articles:

Rapidly implement a modern Zero Trust network that is more secure and maintainable than VPNs.

What happened in the TJ Maxx data breach?

Twingate Team

May 23, 2024

In 2007, TJ Maxx, a multinational clothing and home goods retailer, experienced a significant data breach. The incident involved unauthorized access to the company's database, which contained sensitive information from a large number of customers. The breach occurred between July 2005 and December 2006, and it was reported to the public in January 2007. This event remains one of the largest and most impactful data breaches in history.

How many accounts were compromised?

The breach compromised data of approximately 94 million users.

What data was leaked?

The data exposed in the breach included credit card numbers, expiration dates, cardholder names, and other sensitive financial information.

How was TJ Maxx hacked?

Hackers exploited vulnerabilities in the wireless networks of two Marshalls stores in Miami, allowing them to install a sniffer program on TJX's systems. This malware captured sensitive data, including credit and debit card information, as it was transmitted over the network. The attackers also exfiltrated 80 gigabytes of stored data from a TJX server, transferring it to another location using the company's own high-speed connection. The stolen information included personal details such as names, addresses, and driver's license numbers.

TJ Maxx's solution

In response to the data breach, TJ Maxx took several measures to enhance its security and prevent future incidents. The company was ordered by the FTC to appoint a cybersecurity officer, identify specific administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, and certify their new cybersecurity program was operating efficiently each year for the next twenty years. TJ Maxx also paid significant sums of money to settle issues with credit card companies and attorneys general of multiple states, proving their IT systems were secure and providing restitution to affected customers for direct harm and credit monitoring.

How do I know if I was affected?

TJ Maxx reached out to affected users following the data breach. If you believe you may have been affected but did not receive a notification, you can visit Have I Been Pwned to check your credentials.

What should affected users do?

In general, affected users should:

  1. Change Your Password: Immediately update your password for the breached account. Make sure the new password is strong and unique, not previously used on any other platform.

  2. Reset Passwords for Other Accounts: If you've used the same or similar passwords for other online accounts, reset those as well. This is crucial as attackers often try using stolen passwords on multiple sites.

  3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on the breached account. Consider enabling this additional security feature on all other important online accounts to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

  4. Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your financial and personal accounts for any suspicious activity. Report any unauthorized transactions or changes to the appropriate institutions immediately.

For more specific help and instructions related to TJ Maxx's data breach, please contact TJ Maxx's support directly.

Where can I go to learn more?

For more information on the TJ Maxx data breach, check out the following news articles: