Urgent Cyberattack Exposes Data of 280,000 iiNet Customers

BREAKING: A significant cyberattack has struck iiNet, one of Australia’s largest internet providers, compromising the personal data of 280,000 customers. The company confirmed that an unauthorized third party accessed its order management system, raising serious concerns over customer privacy.

The breach, which was revealed in a statement from iiNet, occurred on August 16, 2023. Initial investigations indicate that the intrusion was made possible through stolen credentials from a single employee. This alarming revelation underscores the vulnerabilities that can lead to widespread data exposure.

Critical data at risk includes 280,000 email addresses and approximately 20,000 landline phone numbers, as well as the personal details of 10,000 iiNet customers. The hackers also accessed 1,700 modem setup passwords, creating potential risks for individuals affected by this breach. Notably, even former customers are at risk, as the breach targeted historical records stored within iiNet’s systems.

In a statement addressing the incident, iiNet reassured customers that no credit card information or sensitive banking details were compromised. “The unauthorized access appears to have been contained to the iiNet internal ordering system, which is used to create and track orders for iiNet services,” the company explained.

Upon confirming the breach, iiNet promptly activated its incident response plan to secure its systems. “We understand these incidents are concerning, which is why we are proactively contacting customers to provide more details, apologise and offer support,” the company stated. Affected customers will receive direct communication regarding the breach, while those whose data remains secure will also be notified.

As the investigation unfolds, iiNet urges all customers to remain vigilant against potential phishing scams or suspicious communications via email, text, or phone calls.

This incident follows a recent major cyberattack targeting Qantas, which compromised the data of 5.7 million individuals, highlighting an urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures among Australian corporations.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as authorities work to assess the full impact of this significant data breach.