Magecart Attack Targets Macys

Macys Data Breach⁚ Magecart Strikes Again

In a concerning development for online shoppers, US retail giant Macys has announced a data breach affecting a small number of customers. The breach, which took place in October 2019, involved the theft of customer data, including credit card information, from the company’s website. The attack was attributed to Magecart, a notorious cybercriminal syndicate known for its sophisticated card-skimming tactics.

Magecart operates by injecting malicious code, often referred to as “web skimmers” or “JavaScript sniffers,” into e-commerce websites. These skimmers discreetly capture payment information as users input their data during checkout, allowing the hackers to steal sensitive data without the website owner’s knowledge.

This incident highlights the growing threat posed by Magecart, which has targeted numerous high-profile websites, including Ticketmaster, British Airways, and NewEgg, demonstrating its ability to exploit vulnerabilities and steal sensitive data from unsuspecting users. Macys’ announcement serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust security measures for online retailers to protect customer privacy and safeguard sensitive data.

Magecart Attack Targets Macys

In a concerning development for online shoppers, US retail giant Macys has announced a data breach affecting a small number of customers. The breach, which took place in October 2019, involved the theft of customer data, including credit card information, from the company’s website. The attack was attributed to Magecart, a notorious cybercriminal syndicate known for its sophisticated card-skimming tactics.

Magecart operators successfully accessed the checkout and wallet page of Macys macys.com website, and stole the credit card data of Macys customers. The incident took place early last month, on October 7, and was discovered a week later, on October 15. The company released a breach notice on November 14, 2019.

The attack was discovered when Macys security team received information on the security incident on October 15. However, hackers may have injected the malicious code around October 7, creating a week of potential compromise. The Macys breach affected the online Checkout page and the Wallet page accessed through My Account.

Impact of the Breach

The Macys data breach, while affecting a limited number of customers, raises significant concerns about the impact on customer privacy and trust. The stolen data potentially includes names, addresses, email addresses, and payment information such as credit card numbers, security codes, and expiration dates.

The incident highlights the vulnerability of online retailers to Magecart attacks, which can have far-reaching consequences for both businesses and consumers. Affected customers may face financial risks as their credit card information could be used for fraudulent transactions. Moreover, the breach can erode consumer confidence in online shopping and damage the reputation of the affected retailer.

Macys’ response to the breach, including notifying affected customers, removing the malicious code, and collaborating with financial institutions, is crucial to mitigate the impact and restore customer trust. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of robust security measures to safeguard customer data and prevent future breaches.

Macys Response and Investigation

Macys officials discovered the breach on October 14, 2019, and launched an immediate investigation. The company alerted federal law enforcement and the card issuers that may have been affected, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Macys officials stated that the malicious code has been removed and they have taken security measures to prevent the issue from reoccurring.

Macys has hired a forensics firm to assist in the investigation and has shared affected payment card numbers with the major card brands. However, the exact number of victims has not been confirmed. The company has also taken steps to secure its website, including excising the malicious code and notifying financial institutions.

The company also notified customers that their personal data and payment information may have been exposed. In a letter to customers, Macys explained the situation and offered credit monitoring and identity theft protection services to help affected customers. The company’s swift response and proactive measures aim to minimize the impact on affected customers and restore confidence in their online shopping experience.

Magecart⁚ A Growing Threat

The Macys breach is just one example of Magecart’s growing threat to online retailers. Recent data indicates the card-skimming threat has reportedly compromised more than 2 million victim websites and directly breached more than 18,000 hosts. Magecart attacks have been recorded at Ticketmaster, British Airways, Newegg, and thousands of other websites.

The group’s tactics continue to evolve, with attackers using highly customized web skimmers tailored to fit specific retailer checkout processes and customer relationship workflows. This customization makes detection more challenging, requiring constant vigilance and advanced security measures to counter the evolving threat.

The threat posed by Magecart underscores the need for businesses to prioritize robust cybersecurity measures, including regular security audits, implementation of multi-factor authentication, and continuous monitoring for suspicious activity. Businesses must also educate their employees on recognizing and preventing Magecart attacks.

Date	Event	Description
October 7, 2019	Magecart Code Injection	Hackers injected malicious code into Macys.com website, specifically targeting the Checkout page and Wallet page accessed through My Account;
October 14, 2019	Discovery of Breach	Macys security team discovered the suspicious connection between Macys.com and a remote website, indicating a potential data breach.
October 15, 2019	Code Removal and Investigation	Macys removed the malicious code from its website and launched an investigation to determine the extent of the breach.
November 14, 2019	Breach Announcement	Macys publicly announced the data breach, notifying affected customers and providing details about the incident.

Data Potentially Accessed	Description
First Name	Customer’s given name.
Last Name	Customer’s family name.
Address	Customer’s physical mailing address.
City	Customer’s city of residence.
State	Customer’s state of residence.
ZIP Code	Customer’s postal code.
Phone Number	Customer’s contact phone number.
Email Address	Customer’s electronic mail address.
Credit Card Number	Customer’s credit card account number.
Security Code	Three or four digit code printed on the back of a credit card.
Expiration Date	Month and year when the credit card expires.

Key Actions Taken by Macys	Description
Code Removal	Macys removed the malicious code injected by Magecart from its website, preventing further data theft.
Internal Investigation	Macys launched an internal investigation to determine the scope of the breach and identify any compromised customer data.
Federal Law Enforcement Notification	Macys reported the incident to federal law enforcement agencies, seeking assistance in investigating the breach and identifying the perpetrators.
Card Issuer Notification	Macys notified major card issuers, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, to alert them about the potential compromise of customer payment card information.
Customer Notification	Macys contacted affected customers, informing them about the data breach and providing guidance on how to protect themselves from potential identity theft.
Security Measures Enhancement	Macys implemented additional security measures to prevent future Magecart attacks, strengthening its website security infrastructure and protocols.
Credit Monitoring and Identity Theft Protection	Macys offered affected customers credit monitoring and identity theft protection services, providing resources to help them mitigate potential risks.

Relevant Solutions and Services from GDPR.Associates

The Macys data breach serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proactive data security measures to protect customer information and prevent future breaches. GDPR.Associates, a leading provider of GDPR compliance and data security solutions, offers a range of services designed to help organizations like Macys mitigate risks and enhance their data protection strategies.

GDPR.Associates offers a comprehensive suite of services, including⁚

• Data Security Assessments⁚ Expert assessments to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in data security practices, helping organizations like Macys proactively address potential threats.
• Data Breach Response Plan Development⁚ Creating a comprehensive plan to ensure a swift and effective response to data breaches, minimizing the impact on customers and the organization.
• Security Awareness Training⁚ Providing employees with training on data security best practices, empowering them to recognize and prevent potential threats like Magecart attacks.
• Web Application Security Testing⁚ Regularly testing websites and applications for vulnerabilities, including those that could be exploited by Magecart-like attacks.
• Incident Response and Forensic Investigation⁚ Providing expert assistance in investigating data breaches, identifying the root cause, and mitigating the impact on affected data.

GDPR.Associates’ comprehensive approach to data security can help organizations like Macys build a robust security posture, protecting customer data and safeguarding their reputation.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Macys data breach⁚

Q⁚ What information was potentially compromised in the Macys data breach?

A⁚ The potentially compromised data includes personal information such as names, addresses, email addresses, and payment card details like credit card numbers, security codes, and expiration dates.

Q⁚ How did Macys discover the breach?

A⁚ Macys security team discovered a suspicious connection between their website and a remote website on October 15, 2019. Further investigation revealed the injection of malicious code on their website.

Q⁚ How many customers were affected by the breach?

A⁚ Macys has not publicly disclosed the exact number of affected customers. However, they have confirmed that a limited number of customers were impacted by the breach.

Q⁚ What actions has Macys taken to address the breach?

A⁚ Macys removed the malicious code, launched an investigation, notified affected customers, alerted federal law enforcement and card issuers, and offered credit monitoring and identity theft protection services to affected customers. They also implemented additional security measures to prevent future attacks.

Q⁚ What can customers do to protect themselves after a data breach?

A⁚ Customers should monitor their credit card statements closely for unauthorized charges. They should consider enrolling in credit monitoring services and taking advantage of identity theft protection services offered by Macys or other reputable providers.

The Macys data breach is a significant event in the ongoing struggle against cybercrime. It highlights the ever-evolving nature of online threats and the importance of robust security measures to protect customer data. The incident serves as a reminder for both businesses and consumers to remain vigilant in the face of evolving threats.

Consumers should be aware of the risks of online shopping and take steps to protect their personal information. Businesses, in turn, must invest in comprehensive data security strategies, including regular security audits, employee training, and advanced threat detection systems. By working together, we can mitigate the risks associated with cybercrime and create a safer online environment for everyone.

This incident underscores the need for a collaborative effort between businesses, consumers, and government agencies to combat cybercrime. By sharing information, implementing best practices, and pursuing innovative solutions, we can enhance online security and protect our digital lives.