Lee Enterprises Hack Exposes 40,000 Social Security IDs

Lee Enterprises, one of the largest newspaper publishers in the U.S., disclosed that nearly 40,000 Social Security numbers were exposed during a ransomware attack that struck the company in February. The breach caused significant operational disruptions across its network of publications. In a regulatory filing submitted to authorities in Maine, the media company confirmed the scope of the data compromise, which included sensitive personal information belonging to affected individuals.

The cyberattack forced Lee Enterprises to investigate the extent of the damage and notify individuals whose data may have been compromised. The company did not provide details on whether the attackers demanded a ransom or whether any ransom was paid. It also remains unclear how the attackers gained access to the systems.

The disclosure underscores the growing threat of ransomware attacks against media organizations and the risks posed to individuals’ personal data. Lee Enterprises continues to assess the impact of the breach and says it is taking steps to enhance cybersecurity.