American credit rating agency Equifax disclosed today that a vulnerability in one of its web applications has led to the leak of around 143 million Americans' social security numbers being compromised. The leak comprises millions of Americans' Social Security Numbers (SSNs), driving license numbers, and a couple hundred thousand credit card numbers, among other documents. The breach occurred from May to July, the company said. The company said that aside from some British and Canadian consumers' data, it has found no evidence that personal information of consumers in any other country has been impacted. It has also set up a website explaining the breach, and has set up a portal for Americans to check if they have been affected. Why SSN leaks are dangerous 143 million Americans, which is almost half of the US's population, now risk their SSNs ending up in the hands of…
