Original Coverage & Source Attribution: www.wfmz.com
BERKS COUNTY, Pa. – Quest Diagnostics, a clinical laboratory company, is experiencing a major data breach, putting customers’ personal data at risk.
“People want that information so that they can sell it or use it against you,” said Eric Robuck, professor of cybersecurity at Alvernia University.
Quest Diagnostics said Wednesday that officials discovered “unauthorized access” to the lab services platform, where clients can place test orders and see their results.
Robuck said medical data is extremely valuable to hackers.
“The healthcare industry collects so much data — that makes them a gigantic target because they have everything on you,” said Robuck.
Quest Diagnostics said it believes certain patient records were accessed in the breach, but the specific number is still unknown.
Robuck said once your data is accessed, “there’s not a whole lot you can do about it.” He said the best way to keep your data safe is to limit where you put it.
“Now, should you be careful and not give it to Quest Diagnostics? Of course not,” Robuck said. “However, every place you put it is another risk.”
Robuck said if someone believes their data may have been stolen, they should check their credit report for any unfamiliar activity.
“You need to have identity theft insurance,” Robuck said. “You need to put things in place where you can mitigate some of these problems.”
People should also beware of fake calls and messages pretending to be from big companies like Apple or Microsoft, or fake government agencies.
“They’re not going to email you and say, ‘Click on this so that we can fix your computer,”’ Robuck said. “None of those things are going to happen.”
Robuck said that with the increase in cyberattacks, the best way to stay safe is to stay vigilant.
