Data Breach Exposing Customer Booking Details
In mid-2024, MakeMyTrip, a leading online travel agency in India, suffered a data breach that exposed personal information and booking details of millions of users. Hackers exploited an insecure API, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, including travel itineraries and payment details.
Solution
Identified and patched the vulnerable API endpoint.
Implemented advanced API security protocols with OAuth 2.0, rate limiting, and token-based authentication.
Deployed Web Application Firewall (WAF) to monitor and block suspicious traffic.
Conducted regular penetration testing and security audits to identify future risks.
Result
Secured customer data and minimized future exploitation risks.
Enhanced compliance with data protection standards, including PCI-DSS and GDPR.
Strengthened API security and improved continuous monitoring practices.
Ransomware Attack Targeting Host Payment System
In late 2024, Airbnb, the global hospitality platform, faced a ransomware attack that targeted its host payment system, disrupting payouts to millions of hosts worldwide. Attackers encrypted sensitive financial data, threatening to leak information unless a ransom was paid.
Solution
Isolated affected systems and activated the incident response plan.
Restored encrypted data using secured offline backups, avoiding ransom payment.
Deployed Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems to detect and neutralize ransomware.
Strengthened host payment security by implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and advanced fraud detection.
Result
Successfully restored payment systems without data loss or ransom payment.
Strengthened financial transaction security and implemented continuous threat monitoring.
Improved incident response readiness to mitigate future ransomware threats.
Phishing Campaign Targeting Customer Accounts
In early 2025, Expedia, a leading global travel booking platform, was targeted by a sophisticated phishing campaign aimed at stealing customer login credentials. Attackers impersonated Expedia’s customer service team and sent phishing emails, redirecting users to fake login pages.
Solution
Implemented AI-powered phishing detection to identify and block malicious emails.
Introduced two-factor authentication (2FA) to secure customer accounts.
Conducted phishing awareness campaigns to educate users about identifying fake emails.
Deployed geo-fencing and adaptive authentication to detect suspicious login attempts.
Result
Reduced phishing-related account compromises by 90%.
Enhanced customer account protection through improved login security measures.
Strengthened customer trust by safeguarding sensitive travel and payment data.
Insider Threat Leading to Unauthorized Data Access
In 2025, Booking.com experienced an insider threat incident where an employee with privileged access attempted to sell sensitive customer data on the dark web. The incident exposed booking histories, payment details, and personal information of high-profile clients.
Solution
Implemented strict role-based access controls (RBAC) to limit data access.
Deployed User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) to detect abnormal employee activity.
Introduced Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions to prevent unauthorized data transfers.
Conducted periodic employee background checks and enhanced cybersecurity training.
Result
Detected and neutralized the insider threat before significant data loss occurred.
Strengthened internal security policies and employee monitoring systems.
Reduced the risk of insider threats by enhancing behavior monitoring protocols.