Target Corporation (data breach)

The Target Corporation data breach occurred in 2013 when cybercriminals hacked into their payment system, stealing the credit card and personal information of millions of customers. Hackers gained access through vulnerabilities in Target’s network, possibly using stolen credentials from a third-party vendor. This allowed them to install malware on checkout systems, capturing customer card data during transactions. The breach affected approximately 40 million cardholders directly, with additional personal data of up to 70 million people also compromised. The incident highlighted the need for stronger cybersecurity measures and prompted widespread industry changes to improve data security.