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Home Depot Breach

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The Home Depot Inc. said Thursday that hackers stole 53 million email addresses in addition to the payment card data it previously disclosed. It says the hackers accessed its network from a third-party vendor
The Home Depot disclosed that a recent security breach impacting payment data also exposed 53 million email addresses.
The stolen files did not include payment card information, passwords or other personal information attached to the email addresses, the company reported Thursday.
Customers should beware of phishing scams looking to garner personal information via email, and Home Depot urges customers to learn more about how to avoid such scams at onguardonline.gov.
The malware used in the previously reported attack was employed after the culprits used a third-party vendor's credentials to enter the system and then acquire elevated rights, the company explains.
What is Phishing?
Phishing is a general term for e-mails, text messages and websites fabricated and sent by criminals and designed to look like they come from well-known and trusted businesses, financial institutions and government agencies in an attempt to collect personal, financial and sensitive information. It's also known as brand spoofing.
Facts
Characteristics * The content of a phishing e-mail or text message is intended to trigger a quick reaction from you. It can use upsetting or exciting information, demand an urgent response or employe a false pretense or statement. Phishing messages are normally not personalized. * Typically, phishing messages will ask you to "update", "validate", or "confirm" your account information or face dire consequences. They might even ask you to make a phone call. * Often, the message or website includes official-looking logos and other identifying information taken directly from legitimate websites. Government, financial institutions and online

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