Janice R. Andrews
In a massive data leak affecting more than 100 million Americans, private information has been left exposed by MC2 Data, a background check company. The breach, which left about 2.2 terabytes of data unsecured and easily accessible online, impacts nearly a third of the U.S. population, according to cybersecurity experts.
MC2 Data runs popular background check sites like PrivateRecords.net and PeopleSearchUSA. The leaked data includes sensitive information such as names, emails, encrypted passwords, property records, partial payment details, and even legal records. Shockingly, 2.3 million subscribers who used MC2’s services to run background checks were also affected.
Cybernews, a leading cybersecurity research firm, discovered the breach and has raised serious concerns about privacy. Paulina Okunytė, a researcher at Cybernews, described the incident as a major risk to both individuals and organizations. “This isn’t just about leaked names; it’s about privacy and safety,” she said.
Aras Nazarovas, another expert from Cybernews, explained that this breach is particularly dangerous for ordinary people. “Cybercriminals can now access highly detailed information about individuals without much effort. This makes it easier for them to misuse this data,” Nazarovas warned.
Despite attempts to reach out, MC2 Data has yet to respond to the incident. This breach comes amid a growing list of major data leaks in recent months, including a July hack that exposed billions of passwords.
With personal data hanging in the balance, millions of Americans are left vulnerable, and the incident is a reminder of how critical online security is in today’s world. As more information becomes available, people are urged to remain vigilant and take steps to protect their own data in the wake of this alarming breach.
