Medibank CEO says ransom amount 'irrelevant' and paying up would only increase risk of further extortion
2 years, 4 months ago

Medibank CEO says ransom amount 'irrelevant' and paying up would only increase risk of further extortion

ABC  

The boss of embattled insurer Medibank says the value of the ransom demand from cyber criminals was "irrelevant" in the company's decision not to negotiate with the hackers. Key points: The company says details of 9.7 million current and former customers have been accessed Almost half a million customers had private health data accessed Medibank chief executive David Koczkar said the company would not pay a ransom The company informed the ASX this morning that the personal details of around 9.7 million current and former customers had been accessed in a massive cyber attack last month. Medibank chief executive David Koczkar said the company would not pay a ransom to the cyber criminals, in an interview with the ABC's Afternoon Briefing. "All of our customers, including current and former customers, have received individual emails several times in the last three and a half weeks," Mr Koczkar said.

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History of this topic

FBI issues warning to all Gmail users over attack hijacking accounts
2 weeks, 1 day ago

FBI issues warning to all Gmail users over attack hijacking accounts

Daily Mail  

The FBI is warning the more than 1.8 billion people who use Google's Gmail about a dangerous ransomware scheme that could hold your private data hostage. To prevent this ransomware from targeting you, the FBI and CISA are urging anyone using email services like Gmail to immediately start using two-factor authentication - an added layer of protection which texts you …

How Medibank allegedly ignored the warning signs in one of Australia's worst cybersecurity breaches
9 months, 1 week ago

How Medibank allegedly ignored the warning signs in one of Australia's worst cybersecurity breaches

ABC  

Pity the IT guy. In court documents, the commissioner has laid out a timeline of alleged cybersecurity blunders by Medibank amounting to "serious interferences with the privacy of… approximately 9.7 million individuals". It says on around August 7, 2022, the IT contractor's personal computer was hacked by a "threat actor" who stole his Medibank username and password. Medibank warned about …

Medibank is being sued by the privacy regulator, a move welcomed by former customers and cybersecurity experts
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Medibank is being sued by the privacy regulator, a move welcomed by former customers and cybersecurity experts

ABC  

In short : The Australian Information Commissioner is suing Medibank over a data breach at the health insurer in 2022. : The Australian Information Commissioner is suing Medibank over a data breach at the health insurer in 2022. Health insurance giant Medibank is facing a maximum fine theoretically in the trillions of dollars after the Australian Information Commissioner filed proceedings …

Australia goes on cyber offensive with sweeping resilience plan
1 year, 4 months ago

Australia goes on cyber offensive with sweeping resilience plan

The Hindu  

Australia will give cyber health checks for small businesses, increase cyber law enforcement funding and introduce mandatory reporting of ransomware attacks under a security overhaul announced on Wednesday after a spate of attacks. The federal government said it will also subject telecommunications firms to tougher cyber reporting rules which apply to critical infrastructure, seek migrants to build up the cyber …

Latitude Financial will not pay ransom to cyber hackers as millions of customer records compromised
1 year, 11 months ago

Latitude Financial will not pay ransom to cyber hackers as millions of customer records compromised

ABC  

Latitude Financial will not pay a ransom to those behind a cyber attack, as the details from 14 million customer records remain at risk of being released. Key points: 14 million customer records are caught up in a data breach at Latitude Financial The company says it received a ransom demand from hackers but will not pay The federal government …

Medibank data leak extends to Australians who sought quotes from health insurance firm ahm
2 years, 2 months ago

Medibank data leak extends to Australians who sought quotes from health insurance firm ahm

ABC  

Potential health insurance customers who requested quotes with ahm have been caught up in the data breach affecting millions of Medibank customers. Key points: The personal information of up to 9.7 million Medibank customers was stolen and released in October 2022 People who had obtained quotes with health insurer ahm, part of Medibank, have been caught up in the data …

Medibank hack: Russian hackers release biggest trove of information yet
2 years, 3 months ago

Medibank hack: Russian hackers release biggest trove of information yet

Daily Mail  

Russian hackers are believed to have published all remaining stolen data from Medibank - putting the personal information of up to 9.7million Australians at risk. About 9.7 million current and former customers are believed to have been affected by the data breach November 30 is 'International Cyber Security Day', an ironic occasion for the hackers to post the data. Medibank …

Medibank defends decision to not pay hackers ransom for stolen data as it contacts 480,000 customers
2 years, 4 months ago

Medibank defends decision to not pay hackers ransom for stolen data as it contacts 480,000 customers

ABC  

Medibank’s boss says the company will begin directly communicating with nearly half a million customers whose health data is believed to have been stolen, weeks after it first became aware hackers had breached its customer database. Medibank's chief executive David Koczkar said the company had started on Wednesday communicating with about 480,000 customers whose health data was believed to have …

Medibank criminal hackers trying to 'incite' fear as customers realise extent of data dump
2 years, 4 months ago

Medibank criminal hackers trying to 'incite' fear as customers realise extent of data dump

ABC  

Cybercriminals continue to drip feed stolen Medibank customer data, in a move experts say appears to be designed to "incite fear". Key points: Cyber security experts said more support is needed for victims of the Medibank hack Affected customers have called for changes to data retention laws There are also calls for the payment of ransoms to be illegal In …

Russia responds after AFP Commissioner says Medibank hackers based in Russia
2 years, 4 months ago

Russia responds after AFP Commissioner says Medibank hackers based in Russia

ABC  

Russia's embassy in Australia has criticised a statement by Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw that those responsible for the Medibank hack are based in Russia, saying the announcement was made before the AFP contacted Russian law enforcement agencies. Key points: AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw says a group of cyber criminals based in Russia are believed to be responsible for …

Hackers claim they demanded $15 million ransom as more Medibank customer data posted to dark web
2 years, 4 months ago

Hackers claim they demanded $15 million ransom as more Medibank customer data posted to dark web

ABC  

The Medibank hackers claim they demanded a $US9.7 million ransom not to release stolen customer information, as the health insurer blasted their latest data dump as a "malicious" attack on vulnerable Australians. Key points: Medibank previously warned customers it expected more stolen information to be released Cyber Safety Minister Clare O'Neil is calling on social media companies to make sure …

Hacker releases Australian health insurer’s customer data
2 years, 4 months ago

Hacker releases Australian health insurer’s customer data

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — Client data from Medibank, Australia’s largest health insurer, was released by an extortionist on Wednesday, including details of HIV diagnoses and drug abuse treatments, after the company refused to pay a ransom for the personal records of almost 10 million current and former customers. “Letting customers discover their most sensitive information imaginable has been published and hearing …

Medibank confirms names, addresses, birthdays posted to dark web by hackers after ransom deadline passes
2 years, 4 months ago

Medibank confirms names, addresses, birthdays posted to dark web by hackers after ransom deadline passes

ABC  

Medibank has confirmed that the criminals responsible for stealing customer data have released some of that information on a dark web forum. Key points: Medibank has confirmed stolen data has been released on the dark web Medibank customers have been told to be alert for any phishing scams via phone, post or email. Around 9.7 million current and former Medibank …

Cyber-extortionist leaks Australians’ medical records online
2 years, 4 months ago

Cyber-extortionist leaks Australians’ medical records online

Al Jazeera  

Private insurer Medibank says it expects more customers details to be published online. A cyber-extortionist has leaked details of Australians’ medical histories online after a private health insurer refused to pay a ransom for the hacked records of almost 10 million customers. “It’s always a shock to have your data leaked online, particularly this volume of this sensitivity,” Troy Hunt, …

Extortionist threatens to publish Australian customer data
2 years, 4 months ago

Extortionist threatens to publish Australian customer data

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — An extortionist has threatened to make Medibank customer data public within 24 hours after Australia’s largest health insurer refused to pay a ransom for the personal records of almost 10 million current and former customers. “Based on the extensive advice we have received from cybercrime experts, we believe there is only a limited chance paying a ransom …

Medibank data leak threatened by cybercriminal as class action lawsuits loom
2 years, 4 months ago

Medibank data leak threatened by cybercriminal as class action lawsuits loom

ABC  

A cybercriminal individual or group demanding a ransom has threatened to release Medibank client data as Australia's largest health insurer faces a possible class action over the hacking of sensitive information for 9.7 million current and former customers. Key points: An individual or group claiming to have Medibank customer data has threatened to release it within the next 24 hours …

Medibank refuses to pay ransom for hacked data as affected customer number doubles to 9.7m
2 years, 4 months ago

Medibank refuses to pay ransom for hacked data as affected customer number doubles to 9.7m

ABC  

Medibank says no ransom payment will be made to the criminal responsible for the recent data hack as the the private health provider put a further head figure in data losses. Key points: Medibank is yet to confirm the figure of the ransom demand But it believes paying could have "the opposite effect" and encourage criminal behaviours The number of …

Medibank says all customers' personal data compromised by cyber attack
2 years, 5 months ago

Medibank says all customers' personal data compromised by cyber attack

ABC  

Medibank has confirmed the criminal entity behind the cyber attack on the company had access to the data of at least 4 million customers, some of which includes health claims. Key points: The hacker accessed all Medibank, ahm and international student customers' personal data The hacker also accessed significant amounts of data on health claims Medibank expects its investigation to …

Customers in limbo as Medibank data breach shapes up as far worse than the Optus hack
2 years, 5 months ago

Customers in limbo as Medibank data breach shapes up as far worse than the Optus hack

ABC  

When Zhan Huang heard that Medibank had been hacked two weeks ago, his heart sank. The company said the data breach impacted its main brand, budget insurance company sub-brand ahm and data collected about international students studying in Australia who use Medibank under its OSHC service. Fears of scams and safety issues Chinese international student Amber Xu transferred her OSHC …

All Medibank customers' personal data was compromised in the cyber attack. Who is at risk and what should customers do?
2 years, 5 months ago

All Medibank customers' personal data was compromised in the cyber attack. Who is at risk and what should customers do?

ABC  

Millions of Medibank customers may have had their information stolen, with the company revealing hackers accessed the personal data of all customers across its Medibank, ahm and OSHC brands. In a statement on Wednesday morning, Medibank confirmed the criminal entity behind the hack had accessed all Medibank, ahm and international student customers' personal data and a "significant amount" of health-claims …

Medibank reveals customer data breach much wider than originally thought
2 years, 5 months ago

Medibank reveals customer data breach much wider than originally thought

ABC  

Medibank has revealed that the cyber attack on its customers' data is much wider than originally thought in a "distressing development" that could impact millions of Australians. Key points: Medibank admits that data from some of its main brand customers has been compromised Previously, the company had only confirmed data from budget brand ahm and its international student insurance had …

Hacker holds Australian health insurer’s data for ransom
2 years, 5 months ago

Hacker holds Australian health insurer’s data for ransom

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — A cybercriminal was holding for ransom an Australian health insurer’s customer data including diagnoses and treatments, in the nation’s second major privacy breach in a month, officials said on Thursday. Trade in Medibank shares has been halted on the Australian Securities Exchange since Wednesday when police were alerted that the company had been contacted by what it …

What we know about the Medibank cyber attack and what to do if you're a customer
2 years, 5 months ago

What we know about the Medibank cyber attack and what to do if you're a customer

ABC  

Health insurance provider Medibank is the latest Australian organisation to be hit by a cyber attack. Medibank was hit by a cyber attack last week but at the time the company said there was no evidence that sensitive data had been accessed but at the time the company said there was no evidence that sensitive data had been accessed On …

Medibank admits personal data stolen in cyber attack
2 years, 5 months ago

Medibank admits personal data stolen in cyber attack

ABC  

Medibank has admitted that the personal data of some of its customers — including names, addresses, Medicare numbers and phone numbers — has been stolen in a cyber attack. Key points: As well as personal details, some data about medical claims — including particular services — has been stolen Medibank expects the number of affected customers is expected to grow …

Health insurer Medibank Private halts trading after receiving message from company claiming to be behind cyber attack
2 years, 5 months ago

Health insurer Medibank Private halts trading after receiving message from company claiming to be behind cyber attack

ABC  

Health insurer Medibank Private has confirmed it has received messages from a group wishing to negotiate with the company regarding their alleged removal of customer data. Key points: Hackers targeted the private health insurer last week The company has halted trade until further notice The CEO has apologised to customers for the distressing update The update comes less than a …

Health insurer Medibank Private hit by cyber attack
2 years, 5 months ago

Health insurer Medibank Private hit by cyber attack

ABC  

Health insurer Medibank Private says it has been hit by a cyber attack. Key points: It is Australia's latest cyber attack after the Optus breach last month, which affected millions of customers Medibank's ahm and international student policy management systems are currently offline Investigations into the cyber attack are ongoing The company said "unusual activity" had been detected on its …

If your company is held hostage, should you pay the ransom? Or should you be forced to tell the authorities?
3 years, 8 months ago

If your company is held hostage, should you pay the ransom? Or should you be forced to tell the authorities?

ABC  

If someone broke into your home, and held all of your possessions to ransom, you would call the police. Policy experts from the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre want to make it mandatory for Australian companies to tell authorities when they are being targeted. They compare the amount of money paid for security guards, alarms and sensors to protect a …

Trend of ransom payoffs to unlock malware from ‘electronic stickups’ troubles law enforcement
9 years, 1 month ago

Trend of ransom payoffs to unlock malware from ‘electronic stickups’ troubles law enforcement

LA Times  

Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center paid a ransom of $17,000 to a hacker who locked up its computer systems earlier this month. Paying a ransom doesn’t ensure anything.” Neiman said the cyberattack at the hospital was reported Feb. 6, the day after the attack, to the Los Angeles Police Department and then the FBI became involved. “They will send you that …

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