In what is now the largest healthcare data breach in U.S. history, UnitedHealth Group’s (UNH.N) tech unit revealed a cyberattack that compromised the personal information of 190 million individuals. The company confirmed the incident on Friday, noting that the breach, linked to its Change Healthcare unit, underscores the increasing threats to healthcare cybersecurity.

The attack, carried out by the notorious “BlackCat” ransomware group, caused significant disruptions to claims processing nationwide. 

Patients and providers were left scrambling as systems were impacted, but Change Healthcare assured, “Change Healthcare is not aware of any misuse of individuals’ information as a result of this incident and has not seen electronic medical record databases appear in the data during the analysis.“

Cyberattack at UnitedHealth: Details of the Breach

The hacks involved sensitive information, including members’ health insurance IDs, patient diagnoses, treatment information, social security numbers, and billing codes. 

In October, the U.S. Health Department reported that 100 million individuals had been impacted. However, Friday’s disclosure nearly doubled, and final figures will soon be submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services civil rights office.

Related Read: How Anti-Tracking Software Can Shield Your Data: Say Goodbye to Trackers!

What’s Next?

UnitedHealth Group issued a public notice in June about the HIPAA requirement for notification after any security incident. While investigations continue, protective measures are in place to curb further mishandling.

The breach reminds us of the ever-increasing sophistication of ransomware groups like BlackCat and the urgent need for the healthcare sector to strengthen its cybersecurity.

Read More: What Personal Data Are Companies Tracking and How Can You Stay Safe?

How Can You Prevent Hacking

With the increasing cyber breaches, best practices are imperative to safeguard your data. 

Here are some essential tips you must follow: 

• Use Strong Passwords: To make the password impenetrable, combine uppercase and lowercase letters with special characters and numbers. 
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): 2FA safeguards your account to lessen the risk of an unauthorized login and Social Security fraud.
• Be Cautious of Phishing Emails: Don’t click on suspicious links, and do not share sensitive information since phishing tricks account for most personal data leaks.
• Install Reliable Antivirus Software: Always depend on trustworthy antivirus software, like AVP, which provides complete security from threats.
• Secure Your Online Activity: To protect your data while using a public network, a VPN should be your first choice.
• Regularly Update Software: Always update your systems and programs to avoid being susceptible to a cyber-attack.

How AVP Suite Protects You from Hacking

In an increasingly digital world, hacking activities are just some of the threats that may include ransomware attacks, data breaches, or identity theft. The AVP Suite offers Cyber protection tooling, ensuring your data, devices, and privacy are secure. 

Here’s how they keep hackers away:

• Anti-Tracking Feature: This advanced feature prevents scammers from tracking your browsing activities and works as an umbrella that protects you from falling prey to cybercriminals. 
• Digital Identity and Login Protection: Protect your accounts and credentials from hacking attempts, which reduces the risk of identity theft and personal information leakages.
• Phishing Attack Defense: AVP Suite blocks phishing attempts that trick you into revealing sensitive information like social security numbers or banking details.
• Secure VPN: AVP VPN keeps your data safe in public or private networks.
• Ransomware and Malware Protection: This shields you from ransomware and malware with real-time alerts, ensuring your data remains exclusively yours. 
• Fraud Protection: The AVP Suite also includes tools for protecting against social security fraud and several financial scams.

Final Note! 

The UnitedHealth hack breached the data of 190 million souls, reminding us that cyberattack intelligence is growing. We must remain vigilant against hackers and employ best practices for cybersecurity, considering that personal and financial data are the targets. 

That’s where the AVP Suite enters the scene! 

AVP Suite safeguards your data with high-end Cybersecurity, including all-around protection against identity theft, anti-tracking, and ransomware protection. So you can surf, shop, and work online confidently, despite a significant data breach or a phishing scam!

Stay hack-free—protect your digital world with AVP Total Security today!