--- title: Microsoft Breach Exposes 250 Million Customer Service Records - Valeo Networks description: Microsoft has alerted users to a massive data breach that exposed approximately 250 million customer service support (CSS) records. The breach was discovered December 29 by a Comparitech security research team led by Bob Diachenko. image: https://blog.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_316912806.jpeg --- [Skip to the main content.](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/microsoft-breach-exposes-250-million-customer-service-records#main-content) [![Valeo-poweredbyForte-white](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Valeo-poweredbyForte-white.png?width=600&height=99&name=Valeo-poweredbyForte-white.png "Valeo-poweredbyForte-white")](https://valeonetworks.com) [![Valeo Networks Division Logos 2024](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VN%20-%20Division%20Logos/Valeo/Valeo%20Networks%20Division%20Logos%202024.png?width=960&height=290&name=Valeo%20Networks%20Division%20Logos%202024.png "Valeo Networks Division Logos 2024")](https://valeonetworks.com) - [Services](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services) - [CMMC Services](https://valeonetworks.com/cmmc-services) - [Managed IT Services](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services/managed-it/) - [Cybersecurity](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services/cybersecurity/) - [Cloud Solutions](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services/cloud-solutions/) - [Compliance](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services/compliance/) - [Industries](https://valeonetworks.com/industries) - [Resources](https://valeonetworks.com/resources) - [Blog](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/) - [Data Sheets](https://valeonetworks.com/resources/datasheets/) - [Ebooks](https://valeonetworks.com/resources/ebooks/) - [Guides & White papers](https://valeonetworks.com/resources/guides-white-papers/) - [In The news](https://valeonetworks.com/in-the-news/) - [Our Services](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services) - [Webinars & Videos](https://valeonetworks.com/resources/webinars-videos/) - [E-Waste](http://valeonetworks.com/resources-e-waste) - [About](https://valeonetworks.com/about) - [Our Story](https://valeonetworks.com/our-story) - [Leadership](https://valeonetworks.com/about/leadership/) - [Partners](https://valeonetworks.com/about/partners/) - [Success Stories](https://valeonetworks.com/success-stories/) - [Contact](https://valeonetworks.com/contact) - [Careers](https://valeonetworks.com/about/careers/) - [Locations](https://valeonetworks.com/contact/locations/) - [Support](https://valeonetworks.com/client-portal/) [888-806-3601](tel:888-806-3601) [Client Portal](https://portal.Valeonetworks.com) Toggle Menu Toggle Menu [888-806-3601](tel:888-806-3601) [Client Portal](https://portal.Valeonetworks.com) - [Services *Toggle Menu*](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services) - [CMMC Services](https://valeonetworks.com/cmmc-services) - [Managed IT Services](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services/managed-it/) - [Cybersecurity](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services/cybersecurity/) - [Cloud Solutions](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services/cloud-solutions/) - [Compliance](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services/compliance/) - [Industries](https://valeonetworks.com/industries) - [Resources *Toggle Menu*](https://valeonetworks.com/resources) - [Blog](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/) - [Data Sheets](https://valeonetworks.com/resources/datasheets/) - [Ebooks](https://valeonetworks.com/resources/ebooks/) - [Guides & White papers](https://valeonetworks.com/resources/guides-white-papers/) - [In The news](https://valeonetworks.com/in-the-news/) - [Our Services](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services) - [Webinars & Videos](https://valeonetworks.com/resources/webinars-videos/) - [E-Waste](http://valeonetworks.com/resources-e-waste) - [About *Toggle Menu*](https://valeonetworks.com/about) - [Our Story](https://valeonetworks.com/our-story) - [Leadership](https://valeonetworks.com/about/leadership/) - [Partners](https://valeonetworks.com/about/partners/) - [Success Stories](https://valeonetworks.com/success-stories/) - [Contact *Toggle Menu*](https://valeonetworks.com/contact) - [Careers](https://valeonetworks.com/about/careers/) - [Locations](https://valeonetworks.com/contact/locations/) - [Support](https://valeonetworks.com/client-portal/) 1 min read # Microsoft Breach Exposes 250 Million Customer Service Records [Valeo Networks](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/author/valeo-networks) : Jan 27, 2020, 12:00:00 AM [Managed IT Services](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/tag/managed-it-services) Microsoft has alerted users to a massive data breach that exposed approximately 250 million customer service support (CSS) records. The breach was discovered December 29 by a Comparitech security research team led by Bob Diachenko. Microsoft [disclosed the security lapse](https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2020/01/22/access-misconfiguration-for-customer-support-database/) on January 22, blaming it on a “misconfiguration of an internal customer support database used for Microsoft support case analytics.” The exposed data included logs of conversations between Microsoft support personnel and customers from across the globe, spanning a 14-year period from 2005 to 2019. The data was visible to “[anyone with a web browser](https://news.yahoo.com/2020-01-22-microsoft-database-exposure.html)” and no password or authentication were required to view the data. After being notified of the breach by Comparitech, Microsoft took action to secure the data. Microsoft said its investigation found “no malicious use” of user data occurred and that customers did not have their personally identifiable information (PII) exposed. However, Comparitech noted that some information, such as email and IP addresses, was stored in plain text. Someone accessing the logs could have used the information they contained to impersonate the company’s support staff in a phishing scheme. Comparitech researcher [Paul Bischoff wrote in a posting Wednesday](https://www.comparitech.com/blog/information-security/microsoft-customer-service-data-leak/#Dangers_of_exposed_data_to_Microsoft_customers) that the customer data trove contained everything a cybercriminal would need to mount a convincing and large-scale fraud effort. “The data could be valuable to tech support scammers, in particular,” he said. “Tech support scams entail a scammer contacting users and pretending to be a Microsoft support representative. These types of scams are quite prevalent, and even when scammers don’t have any personal information about their targets, they often impersonate Microsoft staff. Microsoft Windows is, after all, the most popular operating system in the world.” - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) #### ![BusinessOwnerGuidetoM&A-1](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BusinessOwnerGuidetoM%26A-1.png?width=303&height=209&name=BusinessOwnerGuidetoM%26A-1.png) #### Download our eBook*THE ULTIMATE ROADMAP TO CMMC COMPLIANCE* by filling out the form below! [![3 Common Misconceptions about Security Information and Event Management](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Imported_Blog_Media/monitor-1307227_1280RS-1.jpg)](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/common-misconceptions-about-security-information-and-event-management-siem) #### [3 Common Misconceptions about Security Information and Event Management](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/common-misconceptions-about-security-information-and-event-management-siem) [Valeo Networks](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/author/valeo-networks) : Nov 16, 2018, 12:00:00 AM Today, a growing number of smart enterprises are going on the offensive when countering advanced cybersecurity threats. Many small to medium-sized... [Managed IT Services](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/tag/managed-it-services) [Read More](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/common-misconceptions-about-security-information-and-event-management-siem) [![Data Breaches by the Numbers](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/background-code-coder-177598-scaled-1%20(1).webp)](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/data-breaches-by-the-numbers) #### [Data Breaches by the Numbers](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/data-breaches-by-the-numbers) [Valeo Networks](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/author/valeo-networks) : Sep 7, 2018, 12:00:00 AM Think your company isn’t vulnerable to a data breach? The numbers might convince you otherwise. Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report states... [Managed IT Services](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/tag/managed-it-services) [Read More](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/data-breaches-by-the-numbers) [![Mobilize Your A-Team: Prepare for the Worst by Assembling Your Best Incident Management Pros](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/Incident_Crisis_Management_Team-1.webp)](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/the-importance-of-an-effective-incident-management-team) #### [Mobilize Your A-Team: Prepare for the Worst by Assembling Your Best Incident Management Pros](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/the-importance-of-an-effective-incident-management-team) [Valeo Networks](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/author/valeo-networks) : Nov 2, 2018, 12:00:00 AM Cyberattacks and natural disasters can paralyze enterprises, costing time, money and customers. They can even spell the demise of many unlucky... [Managed IT Services](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/tag/managed-it-services) [Backup & Disaster](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/tag/backup-disaster) [Read More](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/the-importance-of-an-effective-incident-management-team) ![White](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/White.png?width=302&height=124&name=White.png)   With cutting-edge technology and quality customer service, you’ll find everything you need to help your company soar with Valeo Networks.   ##### Explore Valeo Explore Valeo - [Our Services](https://valeonetworks.com/our-services) - [Industries](https://valeonetworks.com/industries) - [Resources](https://valeonetworks.com/resources) - [About](https://valeonetworks.com/about) - [Contact](https://valeonetworks.com/contact) ##### Our Locations Our Locations - [Arizona](https://valeonetworks.com/locations/arizona/) - [California](https://valeonetworks.com/locations/california/) - [Florida](https://valeonetworks.com/locations/florida) - [Iowa](https://valeonetworks.com/locations/iowa/) - [Michigan](https://valeonetworks.com/locations/michigan/) - [Oregon](https://valeonetworks.com/locations/oregon/) - [Pennsylvania](https://valeonetworks.com/locations/pennsylvania/) - [Washington](https://valeonetworks.com/locations/washington/) ##### Contact Contact [888-806-3601](tel:8888063601) [info@valeonetworks.com](mailto:info@valeonetworks.com) 1006 Pathfinder Way Rockledge, FL 32955 Business Hours: M-F: 8AM-9PM [![Valeo-poweredbyForte-white](https://blog.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/Valeo-poweredbyForte-white.png)](https://valeonetworks.com) - [Privacy Policy](https://valeonetworks.com/privacy-policy/) © 2026 Copyright Valeo Networks. All Rights Reserved. [*Facebook*](https://www.facebook.com/ValeoNetworks/)[*Twitter*](https://twitter.com/valeonetworks?lang=en)[*Instagram*](https://www.instagram.com/valeonetworks/)[*LinkedIn*](https://www.linkedin.com/company/valeo-networks-inc-/) *Return to Top* ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Valeo Networks", "url" : "https://blog.valeonetworks.com/author/valeo-networks" }, "dateModified" : "2024-01-05T14:32:28.495Z", "datePublished" : "2020-01-27T05:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Microsoft Breach Exposes 250 Million Customer Service Records - Valeo Networks", "image" : [ "https://blog.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_316912806.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.valeonetworks.com/microsoft-breach-exposes-250-million-customer-service-records", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/Valeo_Networks_LogoFinal_Color-1.png" }, "name" : "Valeo Networks" } } ```