In the News
In DNA Testing Service MyHeritage Leaks User Data of 92 Million Customers, Tom Spring discusses a recent security breach of the genealogy company, My Heritage, that exposed data from over 92 million customers. Spring explains that, luckily, only passwords and emails were leaked, not financial information or information associated with user’s DNA genealogy.
Our Take
Genetic testing services such as those offered by MyHeritage intrigue millions of customers worldwide, as they promise to reveal previously unknowable information about individuals’ heritage or medical risks. Although the draw of such services–and their increasingly low cost–make them easily accessible to a wide range of people, their security practices and our privacy laws may not be moving at quite the same pace as the technology. Leaked credentials or contact information is bad enough; the potential for leaked DNA is even more concerning.
Recommendations
- Understand the risks of using a DNA service that may be breached by attackers or may voluntarily sell some of your information to third parties
- Watch for suspicious activity on all of your sensitive accounts
- Stay up to date on current data breaches and security threats to see if they apply to you