IT Security Stories to Watch: Apple iCloud, Dairy Queen Data Breaches

This week’s IT security stories to watch show even Apple‘s (AAPL’s) iCloud is susceptible to a data breach.

Millions of people use iCloud, but hackers recently infiltrated the cloud-based storage service to illegally access nude photos of numerous celebrities.

What does the iCloud data breach mean for managed service providers (MSPs) and their customers? Find out in this week’s IT security stories to watch:

1. Cyber attackers hack Apple’s iCloud

Apple and the FBI are investigating reports that hackers used the iCloud service to illegally access nude photos of celebrities.

iCloud is designed to allow users to “store contacts, calendars, photos, music, books, apps and more in the cloud” and make it easier to access data stored on iPhones, tablets and desktop computers.

Apple spokesperson Nat Kerris told Bloomberg her company is actively investigating the incident.

Clifford Neuman, director of the University of Southern California‘s (USC’s) Center for Computer Systems Security said he believes the risk to iCloud users will depend on whether the breach happened within Apple’s security or within the celebrities’ personal accounts.

“The data are leaving the devices that are in your possession and are now being stored on a server elsewhere,” he said. “For most things, that’s probably a good thing, but for things that are sensitive, that’s a problem.”

2. Dairy Queen suffers a data breach

Ice cream and fast food chain Dairy Queen recently told The Associated Press that customer data may have been compromised at some of its stores.

Dairy Queen did not disclose how many customers or stores could be affected, but the company is investigating the possible data breach.

“We are gathering information from a number of sources, including law enforcement, credit card companies and processors,” Dairy Queen said.

3. More details about the Albertsons data breach are released

All of the Albertsons stores in Idaho, Montana and Washington State were affected by a data breach.

The cyber attack originally was reported last month, and investigators now are saying the stolen data includes debit and credit card information.

Investigators are telling Albertsons customers to look through their credit card or bank statements for any suspicious purchases.

4. Hackers target JPMorgan Chase

Hackers launched an attack against JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and at least four other banks.

The attack led to the theft of customer data that could be used to drain accounts, according to Bloomberg.

“Companies of our size unfortunately experience cyber attacks nearly every day,” JPMorgan spokesperson Patricia Wexler added.

JPMorgan noted it has not detected any unusual activity or fraud thus far and will continue to investigate the cyber attack.

“There is very little an individual consumer can do to stop these big data breaches from occurring,” fraud expert Doug Shadel told AARP. “However, it does reinforce the need for consumers to monitor their credit and bank accounts on a regular basis.”

What do you think will be the biggest IT security stories for MSPs this week? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below, via Twitter @dkobialka or email me at [email protected].