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Cyberattack leaves millions
at risk to fraud
THE telecoms firm TalkTalk Telecom
Group Plc, is now a well established name, founded in Leeds, UK, in 2003, but it
has had quite a problematic year so far in 2015, following a "sustained
cyberattack." Yet again the firm has announced more difficulties as it
indicated to customers that it had been victim to yet another major hacking
attack, over 21 October to 23 October 2015. As a result TalkTalk shares dropped
and customers are now worried what has been taken.
The phone and broadband provider, which has over 4 million UK customers, said:-
"banking details, credit card information, along with other personal
information, could have been accessed."
Dido Harding, CEO, added that:- "TalkTalk constantly updates its systems
to make sure they are as secure as possible against the rapidly evolving threat
of cyber crime, impacting an increasing number of individuals and organisations.
We take any threat to the security of our customers' data extremely seriously
and we are taking all the necessary steps to understand what has happened here.
As a precaution, we are contacting all our customers straight away with
information, support and advice around Wednesday's attack. If you have any more
questions you can call us on:- 0800 0832710 or call:- 0141 2300707."
The other personal information could include:- names, addresses, birthdates,
email addresses, phone numbers along with other TalkTalk account information.
A criminal investigation was launched by the Metropolitan Police Cyber Crime
Unit following the discovery of the attack. Soon after we are told that a
Russian Islamist group called:- "Cyber-Jihadi", then posted
online, to claim responsibility for the attacks. This has yet to be verified.
Police have said that they are:- "investigating the claim of this
significant and sustained cyber attack, on a UK company. Our investigation will
look at establishing exactly what happened and who is to blame."
Since this announcement was made, Dido Harding, chief executive of the TalkTalk
Group Plc. has gone on to say that:- "We have received an email demanding
a ransom." The Metropolitan Police, who are in charge of the
criminal investigation, added:- "no one has, as of yet, been arrested"
over the attack and that they will be also:- "looking into the
validity of this claim." With TalkTalk has also commented that:-
"We have taken all necessary measures to secure our website following the
attack, but it's too early to say who the attackers were. A formal investigation
by the Metropolitan Police is under way and we understand this will be
concerning and frustrating for customers. We want to reassure you, and we stress
that we are continuing to take every action possible to keep your information
safe."
TalkTalk and the Police have said that all customers affected should:-
"Keep an eye on your accounts over the next few months. If you see anything
unusual, please contact your bank and Action Fraud as soon as possible. Action
Fraud is the UK's national fraud and internet crime reporting centre, and they
can be reached on:- 0300 123 2040 or via :-ActionFraud.Police.UK."
They also say that:- "If you are contacted by anyone asking you for personal
data or passwords (such as for your bank account), please take all steps to
check the true identity of the organisation." As a result TalkTalk is now
offering a year's free credit monitoring for all its our customers via
Noddle, that also allows free access to your
credit report for life."
We are also told that the National Crime Agency is looking at the firm's
computer networks to discover how they got in.
Have you been affected by this and what are
your views on this? Please email us to:-
News24@SouthportReporter.Com.
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