The Top Cyber Attacks and Data Breaches of 2015

by Karen Schmidt · Published December 22, 2015 · Updated December 21, 2015

Data breaches this year were spectacular in size and scope, and it seemed just as a new one was reported another cyber attack made the headlines. Engadget summed it up best: “You’d think that 2015’s password was 123456.” These expert security and tech articles below listed what they consider to be the year’s top cyber attacks.

Here we’ve compiled our own list gleaned from these sources.

5 of the Top Cyber Attacks/Data Breaches of 2015

1. Ashley Madison

The adult hook-up site’s July breach revealed the personal info of 32 million users.

2. Anthem Blue Cross

The second-largest insurer’s database was hacked in February, leaking the social security numbers, email addresses and more of 80 million people.

3. VTech

In late November it was revealed that Toy Manufacturer VTech neglected to encrypt the data of 6.4 million children, exposing names, genders, birthdates, and other private data.

4. OPM

The July hacking of the Office of Personnel Management’s background clearance database affected 21 million people’s sensitive info.

5. FBI Portal Breach

Data on arrestees was stolen when the FBI’s portal was hacked in November.

The Top Cyber Attacks and Data Breaches of 2015