Which Cyber Attacks Made History and Which Happened Recently?

 

 

In today’s connected world, cyber attacks have become more sophisticated, far-reaching, and costly than ever. From massive data breaches to ransomware that paralyzed industries, here are some of the biggest cyber incidents that changed the digital landscape — plus a few recent ones shaking the world today.

 

The Biggest Cyber Attacks of All Time

 

Yahoo Data Breach (2013–2014)

A staggering 3 billion accounts were compromised across two major breaches, leaking names, emails, and passwords — and costing Yahoo hundreds of millions in lost valuation.

 

WannaCry Ransomware (2017)

This global ransomware spread across 150 countries, crippling hospitals, companies, and government offices. The UK’s National Health Service was among the hardest hit.

 

Target Data Breach (2013)

Hackers infiltrated Target via a third-party vendor, stealing 40 million customer card details and triggering major lawsuits and regulatory reforms in retail cybersecurity.

 

Equifax Breach (2017)

One of the most damaging leaks ever, exposing sensitive data of 147 million Americans, including Social Security numbers and birth dates.

 

Sony Pictures Hack (2014)

A politically motivated breach attributed to North Korea leaked emails, internal files, and unreleased movies — costing Sony millions and embarrassing top executives.

 

NotPetya (2017)

Disguised as ransomware, NotPetya was actually a destructive malware that hit Ukrainian systems but spread globally, causing over $10 billion in losses for major corporations.

 

Marriott/Starwood Breach (2018)

Hackers accessed hotel guest data for four years undetected, affecting about 500 million travelers and revealing major weaknesses in corporate IT systems.

 

Stuxnet (2010)

A joint U.S.–Israel cyber weapon that sabotaged Iran’s nuclear centrifuges — marking the dawn of cyber warfare with real-world physical damage.

 

Colonial Pipeline (2021)

A ransomware attack forced a shutdown of one of America’s main fuel pipelines, sparking gas shortages and highlighting vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.

 

Mt. Gox Bitcoin Hack (2014)

Once handling 70% of all Bitcoin trades, the exchange lost 850,000 BTC to hackers — shaking confidence in cryptocurrency security.

 

Recent High-Impact Cyber Attacks (2023–2025)

 

  • ByBit Exchange (2025): The FBI linked a $1.5 billion crypto theft to North Korea’s Lazarus Group.

  • IRLeaks (2024): Iranian banks were forced offline in what’s been called the country’s worst cyberattack.

  • Kyivstar (2023–2024): Russian hackers disrupted Ukraine’s telecom network and air-raid alerts.

  • Kadokawa/Niconico (2024): A massive Japanese media breach leaked data of over 250,000 users.

  • Salesforce / Qantas (2025): Hackers threatened to leak 1 billion personal records from major global brands.
     

Lessons Learned

From ransomware and data theft to state-backed sabotage, these attacks reveal a simple truth,  no one is immune. Cybersecurity is no longer optional: zero-trust systems, regular patching, and quick response planning are now vital defenses in a world where data is the new currency.