In a disturbing revelation, it has been reported that a massive cyber-attack has exposed the personal details of every driver’s license holder in the US state of Louisiana. This alarming breach, which has also affected American federal agencies, British Airways, and the BBC, has left officials and residents furious.

According to Governor John Bel Edwards, it is believed that the hackers have gained access to the names, addresses, and social security numbers of all Louisiana residents with a driver’s license, identification card, or car registration. Shockingly, additional personal information such as driver’s license numbers, vehicle registration data, handicap placard information, birthdates, heights, and eye colors may also be in the hands of the cyber attackers.

The scale of this attack is staggering, with approximately 6 million records thought to be compromised. It is believed that the Russia-linked extortion gang CI0p is responsible for this audacious hack. While CI0p has claimed credit for the breach, they have vaguely assured that no data from government agencies will be exploited, without providing further details.

Governor Edwards has stated that there is currently no evidence of the hackers selling, using, sharing, or releasing the exposed personal details. However, in light of this alarming situation, he has urged Louisianans to take immediate steps to protect their identities. This includes freezing credit, changing all digital passwords, obtaining a special number from the federal IRS to prevent fraudulent tax filings, and reporting any suspected identity theft to the authorities.

The cyber-attack targeted the MOVEit software used by various organizations, including Louisiana’s motor vehicle office, British Airways, and the BBC. Astonishingly, these institutions entrusted their sensitive data to a flawed transfer tool that CI0p exploited as part of their ransomware scheme. As news of the attack continues to unfold, it has been revealed that other victims include the US Department of Energy, associated contractors, and a facility responsible for nuclear waste disposal.

This breach serves as a grave reminder of the vulnerability of US government agencies to cyber threats, despite their investments in security improvements. It is a cause for anger and frustration among experts and citizens alike, highlighting the pressing need for more robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive information.