Quest Data Breach

[Dos-Dox]

Another breach has made headlines — Quest Diagnostics this time. Many of us rely on them for concierge bloodwork, workplace screenings, and routine medical tests. The company has confirmed that patient medical records were part of what was exposed, though it hasn't shared details.

Lab testing giant Quest Diagnostics confirms patients' personal and health data was compromised during breach | TechCrunch

Quest is the latest in a series of healthcare technology companies that have been hacked in recent months.

techcrunch.com

It's understandable that we've grown numb to big corporations leaking our data, but it's still worth always enrolling in the free credit monitoring that many companies provide after a major breach. My last 3-year Experian free monitoring period just ended, and a week ago another breach offer arrived. It's a genuinely useful service.

 

[Calm Logic]

Dos-Dox said:

Another breach has made headlines — Quest Diagnostics this time. Many of us rely on them for concierge bloodwork, workplace screenings, and routine medical tests. The company has confirmed that patient medical records were part of what was exposed, though it hasn't shared details.

Lab testing giant Quest Diagnostics confirms patients' personal and health data was compromised during breach | TechCrunch

Quest is the latest in a series of healthcare technology companies that have been hacked in recent months.

techcrunch.com

It's understandable that we've grown numb to big corporations leaking our data, but it's still worth always enrolling in the free credit monitoring that many companies provide after a major breach. My last 3-year Experian free monitoring period just ended, and a week ago another breach offer arrived. It's a genuinely useful service.

Has it ever struck you that the number of people entering Quest for bloodwork seems to exceed the number leaving? It gives me an uneasy feeling. My guess is that the van parked out back is connected somehow.

 

[bada bing]

At the Quest location I visit, the waiting area is usually quite crowded. The crowd skews older, with many using wheelchairs or walkers, and a large share speak a language other than English at home. Not once have I watched someone get up and exit that waiting room before my own name is called. My Quest sits right next to the major city hospital. Since I always book ahead and typically get called back within 5 minutes of taking a seat, the rest must be walk-ins. I scan the room hoping to spot other GLP1 biohacker nerds to chat with, but so far I haven't found a single one. I'm always the odd duck there.

Beyond my health data, which is honestly pretty boring, I can't think of anything a security breach would expose about me that could do real damage. All my payment stuff goes through Goodlabs.

 

[Bioexplorer]

Dos-Dox said:


I know we’re all pretty numb to having our data leaked by these big corporations, but at least always sign up for the free credit monitoring service that many companies offer after a big breach. I just ran out of my last 3-year Experian free monitoring period and have another offer from a different breach that showed up a week ago. It’s a pretty handy service.

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I've honestly lost count of the data breach notices that have landed in my inbox over the past 10 years, but I know the number is well past 12. For quite a while I made use of the complimentary monitoring services they offered. Then came the one that really mattered — a major breach in which my SS number was exposed alongside a wide range of other personal identifying details. Yikes.

That particular letter went further than the usual free monitoring offer and urged me in strong terms to put an immediate credit freeze on every service. With a freeze now in place, this stuff no longer keeps me up at night. It's a hassle, sure, but the peace of mind makes it worthwhile.

 

[Dos-Dox]

Bioexplorer said:

I've honestly lost count of the data breach notices that have landed in my inbox over the past 10 years, but I know the number is well past 12. For quite a while I made use of the complimentary monitoring services they offered. Then came the one that really mattered — a major breach in which my SS number was exposed alongside a wide range of other personal identifying details. Yikes.

That particular letter went further than the usual free monitoring offer and urged me in strong terms to put an immediate credit freeze on every service. With a freeze now in place, this stuff no longer keeps me up at night. It's a hassle, sure, but the peace of mind makes it worthwhile.

Good catch — I should have brought that up too. My credit is frozen permanently, and I agree it's a smart habit.

When it comes to the Quest medical records on me, there wouldn't be much to see. Someone finding out my cholesterol or vitamin D numbers wouldn't bother me at all. Still, given the range of other tests they run, it's easy to understand why a person might not want their name connected to an STD test or a failed drug test circulating out there.