--- title: Millions Of MySQL Server Users’ Data Found On The Internet description: Millions Of MySQL Server Users’ Data Found On The Internet --- [Securafy Knowledge Hub](https://blog.securafy.com) - [Topics](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-cover) - [Tools](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-tools) - [Books & Guides](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-books) [Talk to Securafy](https://meetings.hubspot.com/securafy/strategy-call) [Topics](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-cover) [Tools](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-tools) [Books & Guides](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-books) [Talk to Securafy](https://meetings.hubspot.com/securafy/strategy-call) [Knowledge Hub](https://blog.securafy.com) / IT Operations IT Operations # Millions Of MySQL Server Users’ Data Found On The Internet Millions Of MySQL Server Users’ Data Found On The Internet ![Randy Hall](https://blog.securafy.com/hubfs/Randy%20Hall%202.png) By Randy Hall Updated Jul 2024 2 min read Share [**](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://blog.securafy.com/2022/06/28/millions-of-mysql-server-users-data-found-on-the-internet) [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.securafy.com/2022/06/28/millions-of-mysql-server-users-data-found-on-the-internet&text=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EMillions+Of+MySQL+Server+Users%E2%80%99+Data+Found+On+The+Internet%3C%2Fspan%3E) [**](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EMillions+Of+MySQL+Server+Users%E2%80%99+Data+Found+On+The+Internet%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=https://blog.securafy.com/2022/06/28/millions-of-mysql-server-users-data-found-on-the-internet) ![](https://static.hsstatic.net/BlogImporterAssetsUI/ex/missing-image.png)Do you maintain a MySQL server?  If so, you're certainly not alone.  What you may not know is that according to research conducted by The Shadowserver Foundation, (a cybersecurity research group) there are literally millions of MySQL servers visible on the internet that shouldn't be. In all, the group found more than 3.6 million MySQL servers visible on the web and using the default port, TCP port 3306. The company noted that they did not check for the level of access possible, or the exposure of specific data. The fact remained that the server itself was visible and that alone was a security risk, regardless of any other factors. The United States led the world in terms of total number of exposed servers, with just over 1.2 million, but there were also substantial numbers to be found in Germany, Singapore, the Netherlands, and China. The company broke their scan down in much more detail and granularity in their report. **Here are the highlights:** - Total exposed population on IPv4: 3,957,457 - Total exposed population on IPv6: 1,421,010 - Total "Server Greeting" responses on IPv4: 2,279,908 - Total "Server Greeting" responses on IPv6: 1,343,993 - 67 percent of all MySQL services found are accessible from the internet And here's the bottom line:  An exposed MySQL server has serious security implications that can lead to a catastrophic data breach that sees a company lose control of proprietary data or sensitive customer data. In addition to that, it can give hackers an easy inroad to mine your network with a wide range of malware, allowing them to siphon data from you in real time and over an extended period. They can also wholesale encrypt your files and demand a hefty ransom to regain access. None of those outcomes are good for your company, so if you've got a MySQL server, check to be sure it's properly secured today. Tagged Under IT Operations[Cybersecurity](https://blog.securafy.com/tag/cybersecurity)Cyber RiskBusiness Continuity In This Article Need Help With Your Current Setup? Talk through your current systems, risks, and support gaps with Securafy. [Book a Strategy Call](https://meetings.hubspot.com/securafy/strategy-call) ## Join The Conversation Have a question or perspective on this topic? Add it below. ![Randy Hall](https://blog.securafy.com/hubfs/Randy%20Hall%202.png) About The Author Randy Hall · CEO & Founder Randy Hall is the CEO and Founder of Securafy, with decades of experience helping organizations make smarter, safer decisions about technology. A frequent speaker and instructor at national IT events, Randy has advised thousands of organizations, from startups and SMBs to large enterprises and U.S. government entities, on secure, practical technology adoption. He writes about the decisions business leaders are often expected to make without enough context, including cybersecurity, compliance, AI, cyber insurance, IT strategy, and business resilience. Outside the office, you’ll often find Randy on Lake Erie enjoying time on his 38-foot Chris-Craft. **Writes about:** Cybersecurity strategy, compliance, AI security, business resilience, cyber insurance, SMB risk, IT leadership [More From This Author →](https://blog.securafy.com/author/randyhall) Related Articles Business Continuity [Compliance Risk Assessment: How Downtime Impacts Your Bottom Line](https://blog.securafy.com/compliance-risk-assessment-how-downtime-impacts-your-bottom-line) When systems go down, compliance obligations don't pause—and the financial consequences ... 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