Columbus Cyberattack Exposes 470,000 Personal Records

A significant data breach affecting the city of Columbus has exposed sensitive information of over 470,000 individuals, contradicting earlier claims by Mayor Andrew Ginther that the stolen data was encrypted and unusable. Cybersecurity expert Connor Goodwolf revealed that 45% of the stolen data is on the dark web, while the remaining 55% was sold to an unknown buyer. The breach, attributed to the Rhysida ransomware group, has compromised personal data including that of crime victims, police officers, and city hall visitors. A mother whose data was leaked expressed her distress, emphasizing the trauma of being victimized again. The FBI is investigating the breach, and officials are urging those affected to take measures to protect their personal information. The situation raises serious concerns about the security of municipal data systems.