The breach was likely caused by cybercriminals from Russia, aiming to steal and sell credit card information for profit.
Hackers exploited weaknesses through a third-party vendor, stealing data from over 40 million customers.
When: November 27, 2013 – December 15, 2013.
Where: Target stores and online platform across the U.S.
Financial gain was the primary goal, with the hackers selling stolen information on the black market.
The hackers used malware to collect data from Target’s checkout systems, affecting both in-store and online transactions.
The breach resulted in financial loss for individuals and businesses, raising awareness of the importance of digital security.
Target improved security, informed customers, and offered free services like credit monitoring.
The breach led to broader industry efforts to improve cybersecurity and protect consumer information.