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MA

Master Deeds

High

Exposure of over 2.2 million records from a public server detailing South African residents’ sensitive data.

Records exposed
2,257,930 records
Breach date
Breach Mar 14, 2017
Last update
Updated Oct 18, 2017

What data was exposed?

Fields reported as compromised in this breach record.

Dates of birthDeceased statusesEmail addressesEmployersEthnicitiesGendersGovernment issued IDsHome ownership statusesJob titlesNamesNationalitiesPhone numbersPhysical addresses

Why does this breach matter?

In-depth analysis of the breach and its implications.

In March 2017, a data breach known as 'Master Deeds' exposed detailed personal information of millions of South African residents. The data, later analyzed, primarily originated from a publicly accessible server, allegedly associated with Dracore Data Sciences. The breach comprised crucial personal records, including government-issued IDs, contact details, and demographic information. Notably, this information included data of deceased individuals as well. Such extensive exposure underscores the critical importance of securing data repositories and strictly monitoring unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Impact Analysis

Understanding the scope and consequences of this breach.

User Impact
Exposure of sensitive personal identification data potentially leading to identity mismanagement risks.
Business Impact
The organization likely faces reputational loss and scrutiny for inadequate data security measures.
Affected Sectors
  • Data Brokerage
  • Public Sector
Geographic Impact
  • South Africa

What You Should Do

Recommended actions to take in response to this breach.

If You Were Affected

  • Monitor financial accounts and report unauthorized activity.
  • Place a security freeze on credit profiles to prevent misuse.
  • Change passwords associated with exposed email addresses.

Preventive Measures

  • Ensure robust security measures for publicly accessible servers.
  • Implement regular audits to identify vulnerabilities.
  • Educate organizations about risks associated with exposed data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this breach and what it means for you.

Sensitive personal data including names, email addresses, government issued IDs, and more regarding South African residents.