Home Depot says malware affected 56M payment cards

The Home Depot estimates that a cyberattack earlier this year affected 56 million unique payment cards.

The Atlanta-based home improvement retailer said Thursday it has eliminated the malware behind the attacks that took place between April and September.

It said it has also completed a “major” payment security project that provides enhanced encryption of customers’ payment data in the company’s U.S. stores.

Home Depot also is confirming its sales-growth estimates for the fiscal year and expects to earn $4.54 per share in fiscal 2014, up 2 cents from its prior guidance.