The McKinley-Richardson Leak: A Deeper Dive into the Largest Data Breach in U.S. History

The McKinley-Richardson Leak, also known as the Marriott Leak, was a catastrophic data breach that exposed the personal information of up to 500 million Marriott International hotel guests, making it one of the largest data breaches in U.S. history.

Timeline of Events

• September 2018: Marriott announces the breach, which spanned from July 2014 to September 2018.
• November 2019: Marriott reaches a $110 million settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
• March 2020: Marriott releases a report detailing the extent of the breach.
• June 2020: Marriott agrees to pay $25 million in penalties to the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Impact

The breach compromised a vast amount of sensitive information, including:

• Names
• Addresses
• Phone numbers
• Email addresses
• Passport numbers
• Credit card details

This information could be used by criminals for fraud, identity theft, or other malicious activities.

Financial Implications

The breach has had a significant financial impact on Marriott:

• Settlement with the SEC: $110 million
• Penalty to the ICO: $25 million
• Investigation and remediation costs: Estimated $40 million
• Loss of customer trust

Legal Ramifications

The breach has also sparked several legal actions:

• Class action lawsuits filed by affected guests
• Investigations by U.S. and international law enforcement agencies

Key Figures

• Number of guests affected: Up to 500 million
• Period of breach: July 2014 - September 2018
• Settlement with the SEC: $110 million
• Penalty to the ICO: $25 million
• Estimated investigation and remediation costs: $40 million

Table 1: Timeline of Major Events

Table 2: Compromised Information

| Type of Information |
|---|---|
| Names |
| Addresses |
| Phone numbers |
| Email addresses |
| Passport numbers |
| Credit card details |

Table 3: Financial Impact on Marriott

| Cost |
|---|---|
| Settlement with SEC | $110 million |
| Penalty to ICO | $25 million |
| Investigation and remediation | $40 million |

Tips and Tricks to Protect Your Data

• Use strong passwords and change them regularly.
• Enable two-factor authentication on your accounts.
• Be cautious about sharing personal information online.
• Use a VPN when accessing public Wi-Fi networks.
• Keep your software and operating system up to date.
• Monitor your credit reports regularly for suspicious activity.

How to Step-by-Step

• Check if you were affected: Marriott has set up a website where guests can check if their information was compromised.
• File a fraud alert: Contact the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to place a fraud alert on your credit report.
• Freeze your credit: This prevents new credit from being opened in your name without your permission.
• Monitor your credit reports: Regularly review your credit reports for any unauthorized activity.

FAQs

1. How did the breach happen? The breach occurred due to a flaw in the software used by a third-party vendor that provided guest services to Marriott.
2. What information was compromised? The compromised information included names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, passport numbers, and credit card details.
3. What should I do if I was affected? If you were affected, check if your information was compromised, file a fraud alert, freeze your credit, and monitor your credit reports.
4. What is Marriott doing to prevent future breaches? Marriott has implemented a number of security measures, including encryption and improved monitoring.
5. Why was the settlement amount so high? The settlement amount was high due to the large number of guests affected and the severity of the breach.
6. What are the consequences for the third-party vendor? The third-party vendor has been terminated by Marriott and is facing legal action.

Call to Action

The McKinley-Richardson Leak serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting our personal information. By following the tips and tricks outlined above, you can help reduce your risk of becoming a victim of data breach.