Optus, Australia’s second-largest telecom, has relieved of a cyber-attack with leaking customers’ personal data.
Optimus, a company with more than ten million subscribers said that it was investigating the hacking of customer information, including names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, email addresses, and driver’s licence and passport numbers. The company has also said that payment data and account passwords were not compromised.
Hi, we are working closely with the Australian Cyber Security Centre, key regulators and authorities to mitigate any risks to customers. We also notified the Australian Federal Police and financial institutions.(1/3)
— Optus (@Optus) September 22, 2022
A statement from Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, Optus CEO, came informing of the attack. She said, “Optus immediately shut down the attack soon after it discovered the attack. “We are devastated to discover that we have been subject to a cyberattack that has resulted in the disclosure of our customers’ personal information to someone who shouldn’t see it,” said Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, Optus CEO.
She said that while “not everyone maybe effected” but has advised customers to be cautious about their accounts. “Optus services, including mobile and home internet, are not affected, and messages and voice calls have not been compromised. Optus services remain safe to use and operate as per normal”, she further added.
The company has also notified key financial institutions about the matter. Rosmarine said that investigators were trying to understand who has been accessing the data and for what purpose. The company claimed it had informed the police and the nation’s information commissioner about the incident and was cooperating with Australia’s cybersecurity centre to address any dangers to customers. When the attack happened and how many customers it might have impacted were not made clear.
She further informed, “Optus is working with the Australian Cyber Security Centre to mitigate any risks to customers. Optus has also notified the Australian Federal Police, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and key regulators.”
