In a recent development, AT&T has confirmed a data leak that has affected a substantial number of its customers. The leaked information, which has been circulating online, is said to include data from over 7.6 million current customers and 65 million former customers. AT&T has taken immediate action by resetting the security passcodes of affected active customers.

The company has stated that the leaked information may have included sensitive details such as the full name, email address, mailing address, phone number, social security number, date of birth, AT&T account number, and passcode. This incident marks the first acknowledgment by AT&T of the real nature of the leak, which was first reported in 2021. The vulnerability of the encrypted passcodes was brought to the company's attention by TechCrunch, prompting the acknowledgment.

AT&T has assured its customers that it is reaching out to those affected via email or letter to inform them about the specific data that was included in the leak. Additionally, the company is taking steps to address the situation and mitigate any potential risks to its customers.

The security researcher's analysis revealed that the passcodes, typically four-digit numerical PINs used for account security during phone calls with company support or in-store verification, were "easy to decipher." Consequently, AT&T has reset the passcodes for active customers who were affected by the leak.

Although the data set appears to be from 2019 or earlier, AT&T has emphasized that it does not contain personal financial information or call history. This data breach is primarily focused on personal identifying information.

AT&T has also taken proactive measures to help its customers protect themselves against potential fraud. The company has advised customers to set up free fraud alerts from credit bureaus such as Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

To investigate the situation further, AT&T is working closely with external cybersecurity experts. However, the company has stated that there is currently no evidence of authorized access to its systems.

The protection and privacy of customer data are of utmost importance to AT&T, and steps are being taken to ensure the security of their systems moving forward. Customers are encouraged to remain vigilant and take advantage of the resources provided by AT&T to safeguard their personal information.

AT&T's swift response to this data leak demonstrates its commitment to addressing the issue and protecting the privacy of its customers. As investigations continue, the company will work diligently to strengthen its security measures, providing reassurance to its customers in the face of such incidents.