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Avanti Markets updates customers on July data breach

August 31, 2017

Avanti Markets, a provider of micro markets, has updated its customers about the data breach caused by a third-party software provider over the July 4 holiday.

Jim Brinton, founder and CEO of Avanti Markets, stated in a press release that the malware could have caused some kiosk users' credit card and debit card information to be captured. The malware was a new strain designed to capture credit card information and is believed to have originated in Russia. The malware only affected kiosks with magstripe card readers and did not capture information from kiosks with end-to-end encryption devices.

On July 5, the company provided instructions and took steps to disable card readers and post notice on kiosks advising customers not to use their payment cards. 

Avanti Markets delivered updated payment devices to kiosk operators that included the encryption technology. By August 4, the solution was installed on all kiosks in the U.S.

The company believes that less than 2 percent of its kiosks were affected.

The company also made credit monitoring services available at no cost to individuals whose personal information was compromised.

The malware in the attack had not been previously identified, contrary to some media reports.