Researchers at CyberNews have uncovered an alarming data leak linked to Valley News Live, involving an unprotected dataset with 1.8 million records. This data breach, affecting primarily job applicants to the firm, has raised concerns as it contains sensitive personal information such as full names, phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, social media links, employment, and education backgrounds.

The dataset, which includes over a million CVs, was found by CyberNews researchers who suspect it originated from Valley News Live’s job portal, frequented by up to 250,000 monthly visitors. The exposed data poses serious risks of social engineering attacks and identity theft for applicants, many of whose CVs span years between 2017 and 2024.

Valley News Live, a Fargo-based television station owned by Gray Media, has been urged to address the breach after being notified on September 17, 2024. Individuals who have interacted with the firm or fear exposure from this breach are advised to remain cautious and monitor their personal information closely. The researchers highlighted the potential for cybercriminals to exploit the leaked data to create synthetic identities or fraudulent accounts.

As a precautionary measure, individuals are encouraged to secure their online identity with Incogni, offering a 55% discount with the code TECHRADAR, to safeguard against unwanted spam emails and robocalls. Businesses affected by data breaches can seek guidance on response strategies to protect against further vulnerabilities. Stay informed and vigilant in protecting your data.