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Avis Rent A Car cyberattack exposes nearly 300,000 customers' information

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Avis Rent A Car cyberattack exposes nearly 300,000 customers' information

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Car rental giant Avis Rent A Car has taken a hit in the latest cyberattack. 

The New Jersey-headquartered company has admitted that it discovered intruders in one of its business applications. 

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The security incident has apparently impacted hundreds of thousands of people, revealing their personal information and driver’s license numbers to hackers.

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Avis car rental vehicles. (Avis)

Details about the cyberattack

Avis is in the process of notifying around 300,000 people that their personal information and driver’s license numbers were stolen in an August cyberattack.

“We discovered on August 5, 2024, that an unauthorized third party gained access to one of our business applications. After becoming aware of the incident, we immediately took steps to end the unauthorized access, began an investigation with assistance from cybersecurity experts, and alerted the relevant authorities,” the company said in a notice shared with Maine’s attorney general. The company went onto say, “Based on our investigation, we determined that the unauthorized access occurred between August 3, 2024, and August 6, 2024.” 

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Avis did not disclose the nature of the cyberattack and details of the incident remain scarce. The car rental company did reveal that the stolen information included customer names, mailing addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, credit card numbers and expiration dates, and driver’s license numbers.

hacker

Illustration of a hacker at work. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HERE’S WHAT RUTHLESS HACKERS STOLE FROM 110 MILLION AT&T CUSTOMERS

Texas residents are most affected

The report to Maine’s attorney general showed that 299,006 people have been affected by the Avis data breach so far. Another filing in Texas revealed that 34,592 people from Texas were impacted, making it the state with the most affected residents.

Avis, which also owns Budget and Zipcar, has over 10,000 rental locations across 180 countries. The company stores a large amount of customer data, so it’s unclear why it didn’t take better steps to protect it from this breach.

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hacker on keyboard

Illustration of a hacker typing on their computer. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HACKED, SCAMMED, EXPOSED: WHY YOU’RE ONE STEP AWAY FROM DISASTER ONLINE

The company’s response

Upon discovering unauthorized access on Aug. 5, 2024, the company acted swiftly to terminate the intrusion and initiated a thorough investigation with external cybersecurity experts. Avis has begun notifying affected customers and filed data breach notices with various U.S. attorneys general, offering one year of free credit monitoring services to those impacted. 

Additionally, the company is enhancing its security measures and implementing safeguards across its systems while maintaining transparency about the types of compromised information and the timeline of the breach. 

However, concerns linger regarding the adequacy of Avis’s data protection practices and the oversight of its cybersecurity protocols.

We reached out to Avis for a comment, but did not hear back before our deadline.

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Six ways to protect yourself from data breaches

1. Monitor your accounts and transactions: The Avis data breach exposes your credit card number and expiration date, which hackers can use to steal your money. If you have been affected by this data breach, check your online accounts and transactions regularly for any suspicious or unauthorized activity. If you notice anything unusual, immediately report it to the service provider or authorities. You should also review your credit reports and scores to see if there are any signs of identity theft or fraud.

2. Contact your bank and credit card companies: Since hackers have obtained your bank or credit card information, they could use it to make purchases or withdrawals without your consent. You should inform your bank and credit card companies of the situation. They can help you freeze or cancel your cards, dispute any fraudulent charges and issue new cards for you.

3. Use personal data removal services: Your personal data will be available on the internet for any scammer to use due to the breach. Consider investing in personal data removal services that specialize in continuously monitoring and removing your personal information from various online databases and websites. I mentioned above that hackers also stole driver’s licenses, which could be used to validate the data. The ID can be misused in more ways than you can imagine, including impersonation. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

4. Be wary of mailbox communications: Bad actors may also try to scam you through snail mail. The data leak gives them access to your address. They may impersonate people or brands you know and use themes that require urgent attention, such as missed deliveries, account suspensions and security alerts.

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5. Be alert for phishing scams: Cybercriminals may try to trick you into giving more personal information by sending fake emails or messages that look like they’re from Avis. Don’t click on suspicious links or provide sensitive information unless you’re sure the request is legitimate.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.

6. Use an identity theft protection service: Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security Number (SSN), phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.

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Kurt’s key takeaway

Avis is yet another company added to the growing list of those affected by data breaches, putting customer information at risk. It’s becoming all too common, and these big corporations don’t seem to be learning from what’s happening. What’s clear is that protecting customer data isn’t their top priority, so it’s important to take matters into your own hands. Be cautious when clicking on links, and consider investing in data removal and identity theft protection services to protect your personal information online.

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Do you believe companies are doing enough to protect your personal data, or are they neglecting their responsibilities? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

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Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Technology

Amazon is ‘winding down’ some of its DEI programs

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Amazon is ‘winding down’ some of its DEI programs

As we head toward the end of the year, I want to give another update on the work we’ve been doing around representation and inclusion. 

As a large, global company that operates in different countries and industries, we serve hundreds of millions of customers from a range of backgrounds and globally diverse communities. To serve them effectively, we need millions of employees and partners that reflect our customers and communities. We strive to be representative of those customers and build a culture that’s inclusive for everyone.

In the last few years we took a new approach, reviewing hundreds of programs across the company, using science to evaluate their effectiveness, impact, and ROI – identifying the ones we believed should continue. Each one of these addresses a specific disparity, and is designed to end when that disparity is eliminated. In parallel, we worked to unify employee groups together under one umbrella, and build programs that are open to all. Rather than have individual groups build programs, we are focusing on programs with proven outcomes – and we also aim to foster a more truly inclusive culture. You can read more about this on our Together at Amazon page on A to Z. 

This approach – where we move away from programs that were separate from our existing processes, and instead integrating our work into existing processes so they become durable— is the evolution to “built in” and “born inclusive,” instead of “bolted on.” As part of this evolution, we’ve been winding down outdated programs and materials, and we’re aiming to complete that by the end of 2024. We also know there will always be individuals or teams who continue to do well-intentioned things that don’t align with our company-wide approach, and we might not always see those right away. But we’ll keep at it.

We’ll continue to share ongoing updates, and appreciate your hard work in driving this progress. We believe this is important work, so we’ll keep investing in programs that help us reflect those audiences, help employees grow, thrive, and connect, and we remain dedicated to delivering inclusive experiences for customers, employees, and communities around the world.

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Chinese auto giant wants to make flying cars your next commute option

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Chinese auto giant wants to make flying cars your next commute option

GAC Group, a prominent automotive manufacturer from China, is making waves in the transportation sector with the launch of its new eVTOL brand, Govy. 

This development reflects GAC’s commitment to sustainable air travel, as the company taps into its extensive automotive expertise and innovative technology to create fresh solutions for urban mobility.

With Govy, GAC is not just entering the flying car market; it’s setting the stage for a new era in how we think about commuting and connectivity in our cities.

I’M GIVING AWAY THE LATEST & GREATEST AIRPODS PRO 2

Flagship aircraft of Govy named AirJet. (Govy)

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Introducing the AirJet

The flagship aircraft of Govy, named AirJet, is a revolutionary composite-wing flying car designed to operate as an air taxi for distances of up to 124 miles. This innovative vehicle combines the efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft with the flexibility of multi-rotor systems, allowing for vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. 

The AirJet is constructed with over 90% carbon fiber composite materials, making it remarkably lightweight — just one-third the weight of a conventional car of similar size. This lightweight design not only enhances performance but also enables longer electric flights.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

chinese aircraft 2

Flagship aircraft of Govy named AirJet. (Govy)

EVTOL PROTOTYPE PROMISES 150 MPH CITY-TO-CITY HOPS

Performance and features of the AirJet

In terms of performance, the AirJet is powered by GAC’s proprietary electric drive system, which allows it to reach impressive speeds of up to 155 miles per hour. The current model boasts a range exceeding 124 miles, with ambitious plans to extend this range to 249 miles through the development of future solid-state battery technology. Additionally, the AirJet can be recharged in just 30 minutes, ensuring quick turnaround times for operations.

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The AirJet is designed with both luxury and safety in mind. It features a spacious cabin with a “1+1+X” seating arrangement that provides flexibility for passengers. The aircraft is equipped with autonomous flight capabilities, allowing for seamless operation without human intervention. Safety is paramount in the design of the AirJet. It includes advanced safety systems such as redundant power and control systems, real-time monitoring, and obstacle detection to ensure secure flights.

chinese aircraft 3

Flagship aircraft of Govy named AirJet. (Govy)

AN ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT THE MILITARY HAS ITS EYES ON CAN TAKE OFF WITH ONLY 150 FEET OF RUNWAY

The robo-air taxi system

GAC’s vision extends beyond individual aircraft to encompass a comprehensive Robo-AirTaxi system that integrates ground and aerial transport for end-to-end smart mobility solutions. This system will utilize the Govy AirCar for short urban trips under 12.4 miles and the AirJet for mid-range travel up to 124 miles. A key aspect of this vision is the creation of a “40-minute Greater Bay Area life circle” in China, which aims to facilitate efficient intercity travel and significantly reduce transit times and costs.

chinese aircraft 4

Flagship aircraft of Govy named AirJet. (Govy)

THIS FLYING ELECTRIC VEHICLE BREAKS RECORD WITH 523-MILE NONSTOP FLIGHT

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Future plans and commercialization

Looking ahead, GAC has outlined an ambitious roadmap for Govy. By 2025, the company aims to achieve airworthiness certification for its flying cars, establish production lines, and begin taking pre-orders from customers. Furthermore, GAC plans to launch demonstration operations in two to three Greater Bay Area cities of China by 2027.

chinese aircraft 5

Flagship aircraft of named AirJet. (Govy)

Kurt’s key takeaways

With the introduction of Govy and its flagship AirJet, GAC Group is positioning itself at the forefront of urban aerial transportation. By combining innovative technology with a comprehensive ecosystem approach, GAC aims to transform urban mobility into something smarter, safer, and more sustainable. As we move toward a future where aerial vehicles become an integral part of our transportation networks, GAC’s initiatives could play a pivotal role in shaping how we navigate our cities and connect with one another.

Would you feel comfortable using flying cars like the Govy AirJet for your daily commute, and why or why not? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

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Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

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Drone takes out Super Scooper fighting Los Angeles wildfires

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Drone takes out Super Scooper fighting Los Angeles wildfires

An aircraft helping to fight wildfires that are raging across Los Angeles was struck by a civilian drone on Thursday. The collision damaged the wing of the aircraft — a CL-415 “Super Scooper” capable of scooping up 1,600 gallons of ocean water to drop onto nearby blazes — according to a statement by the LA County Fire Department posted on X, putting it out of service until it can be repaired.

Cal Fire spokesman Chris Thomas told The New York Times that grounding the aircraft will likely set back local firefighting efforts. Super Scoopers can typically refill in about five minutes. But even if it takes ten, that’s six water drops that are lost each hour according to Thomas. “So whose house is not going to get that water to protect it?” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says the Super Scooper landed safely after the drone impact, and that the incident is now under investigation.

Temporary flight restrictions have been implemented in the Los Angeles area that prohibit drones and other aircraft from flying without FAA authorization in an effort to protect firefighting efforts.

According to LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, the drone was not assigned to help tackle the Palisades fires, and was destroyed in the collision. Marrone told the LA Times that the FBI is now planning to implement so-called “aerial armor” in the area to prevent further interference from drones.

Several people online have violated the FAA-enforced flight restrictions, posting viral drone photos and video footage across social media showing the devastation from what appears to be prohibited airspace. Fire response agencies are often forced to ground their own aircraft to avoid collisions when dummies fly drones near wildfires for online clout.

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“It’s a federal crime, punishable by up to 12 months in prison, to interfere with firefighting efforts on public lands,” the FAA said in a statement. “Additionally, the FAA can impose a civil penalty of up to $75,000 against any drone pilot who interferes with wildfire suppression, law enforcement or emergency response operations. The FAA treats these violations seriously and immediately considers swift enforcement action for these offenses.”

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