• Home
  • Cyber Crime
  • Cyber warfare
  • APT
  • Data Breach
  • Deep Web
  • Digital ID
  • Hacking
  • Hacktivism
  • Intelligence
  • Internet of Things
  • Laws and regulations
  • Malware
  • Mobile
  • Reports
  • Security
  • Social Networks
  • Terrorism
  • ICS-SCADA
  • POLICIES
  • Contact me
MUST READ

CISA released Thorium platform to support malware and forensic analysis

 | 

Russia-linked APT Secret Blizzard targets foreign embassies in Moscow with ApolloShadow malware

 | 

Dahua Camera flaws allow remote hacking. Update firmware now

 | 

Researchers released a decryptor for the FunkSec ransomware

 | 

Apple fixed a zero-day exploited in attacks against Google Chrome users

 | 

PyPI maintainers alert users to email verification phishing attack

 | 

FBI seizes 20 BTC from Chaos Ransomware affiliate targeting Texas firms

 | 

Critical SAP flaw exploited to launch Auto-Color Malware attack on U.S. company

 | 

Orange reports major cyberattack, warns of service disruptions

 | 

Hackers leak images and comments from women dating safety app Tea

 | 

Pro-Ukraine hacktivists claim cyberattack on Russian Airline Aeroflot that caused the cancellation of +100 flights

 | 

Seychelles Commercial Bank Reported Cybersecurity Incident

 | 

Microsoft uncovers macOS flaw allowing bypass TCC protections and exposing sensitive data

 | 

U.S. CISA adds Cisco ISE and PaperCut NG/MF flaws to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog

 | 

Critical WordPress Post SMTP plugin flaw exposes 200K+ sites to full takeover

 | 

Scattered Spider targets VMware ESXi in using social engineering

 | 

China-linked group Fire Ant exploits VMware and F5 flaws since early 2025

 | 

Allianz Life data breach exposed the data of most of its 1.4M customers

 | 

SECURITY AFFAIRS MALWARE NEWSLETTER ROUND 55

 | 

Security Affairs newsletter Round 534 by Pierluigi Paganini – INTERNATIONAL EDITION

 | 
  • Home
  • Cyber Crime
  • Cyber warfare
  • APT
  • Data Breach
  • Deep Web
  • Digital ID
  • Hacking
  • Hacktivism
  • Intelligence
  • Internet of Things
  • Laws and regulations
  • Malware
  • Mobile
  • Reports
  • Security
  • Social Networks
  • Terrorism
  • ICS-SCADA
  • POLICIES
  • Contact me
  • Home
  • Breaking News
  • Cyber Crime
  • Data Breach
  • Hacking
  • Hackers may have accessed thousands of accounts on the California state welfare platform

Hackers may have accessed thousands of accounts on the California state welfare platform

Pierluigi Paganini April 27, 2024

Threat actors accessed more than 19,000 online accounts on a California state platform for welfare programs.

Threat actors breached over 19,000 online accounts on a California state platform dedicated to welfare programs.

Officials reported that the security breach occurred on February 9, when someone logged into some BenefitsCal users’ accounts. Threat actors exploited reused passwords obtained from third-party websites.

BenefitsCal, a California-based web platform, enables users to apply for and oversee a range of welfare programs, encompassing food stamps, cash assistance, and medical benefits.

“On February 9, 2024, BenefitsCal discovered that someone, that was not allowed, may have logged into accounts of some users of the BenefitsCal website using reused passwords taken from other websites. Your account may have been one of those accessed.” reads the data breach notification filed by officials at the California Statewide Automated Welfare System. “BenefitsCal took immediate steps to protect you by temporarily inactivating your account. Someone that was not allowed may have accessed your account between March 1, 2023 and February 13, 2024. In reviewing your account use during that time, your personal information may have been accessed”

According to the date breach notification, potentially compromised information may have included users name, address, date of birth, full or last four digits of Social Security Number, email address, phone number, EBT card number, case number, Medi-Cal ID number and information about their program eligibility and benefits.

BenefitsCal is notifying impacted users and providing them with instructions on what they can do.

In response to the incident, the agency deactivated accounts and launched an investigation that revealed attackers had access from March 1, 2023 and February 13, 2024. 

“In addition to temporarily inactivating your account, BenefitsCal took additional steps to further secure your account prior to using it again, including requiring you to provide not just your password but confirm that you are the one asking to access the account through either your email or your phone number when logging in.” continues the notification. “We also reissued your EBT card if you have one. BenefitsCal has also added other security changes to reduce the risk of a someone potentially accessing information that is not allowed.”

The California state welfare platforms also implemented additional security measures to protect the accounts, including enabling 2FA.

Users are recommended to use strong passwords and avoid reusing the same credentials for multiple websites.  

It’s unclear if the agency plans to offer free identity protection services to the impacted individuals. 

Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook and Mastodon

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, California state welfare)


facebook linkedin twitter

BenefitsCal California state welfare platform Cybercrime data breach Hacking hacking news information security news IT Information Security Pierluigi Paganini Security Affairs Security News

you might also like

Pierluigi Paganini August 01, 2025
CISA released Thorium platform to support malware and forensic analysis
Read more
Pierluigi Paganini July 31, 2025
Russia-linked APT Secret Blizzard targets foreign embassies in Moscow with ApolloShadow malware
Read more

leave a comment

newsletter

Subscribe to my email list and stay
up-to-date!

    recent articles

    CISA released Thorium platform to support malware and forensic analysis

    Cyber Crime / August 01, 2025

    Russia-linked APT Secret Blizzard targets foreign embassies in Moscow with ApolloShadow malware

    APT / July 31, 2025

    Dahua Camera flaws allow remote hacking. Update firmware now

    Hacking / July 31, 2025

    Researchers released a decryptor for the FunkSec ransomware

    Malware / July 31, 2025

    Apple fixed a zero-day exploited in attacks against Google Chrome users

    Security / July 30, 2025

    To contact me write an email to:

    Pierluigi Paganini :
    pierluigi.paganini@securityaffairs.co

    LEARN MORE

    QUICK LINKS

    • Home
    • Cyber Crime
    • Cyber warfare
    • APT
    • Data Breach
    • Deep Web
    • Digital ID
    • Hacking
    • Hacktivism
    • Intelligence
    • Internet of Things
    • Laws and regulations
    • Malware
    • Mobile
    • Reports
    • Security
    • Social Networks
    • Terrorism
    • ICS-SCADA
    • POLICIES
    • Contact me

    Copyright@securityaffairs 2024

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities...
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT