If you’re with Optus, you’re probably already aware of its recent cyber-attack. Current and former Optus customers have been involved in a data breach. But what does that even mean? And how does it affect you?
“Data breach” means that Optus has had a security violation that has compromised sensitive, protected or confidential information that Optus stores on its current and former customers. This information has either been copied, transmitted, viewed, stolen, or used by an individual or a group who were not authorised to do so.
Optus has confirmed the following information may have been exposed:
- Customers’ names
- Dates of birth
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
For a subset of customers, the following additional information may also have been exposed:
- Addresses
- ID document numbers such as driver’s licence or passport numbers
Optus CEO, Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, has promised that the affected account holders will be notified. Still investigating the breach, the company is not currently able to release numbers on the “significant number” of people that have been impacted.
Optus has confirmed that payment details, account passwords, text messages and voice calls were not compromised, and that Optus services, including mobile and home internet, are not affected.
The company has shut down the attack, notified the Australian Federal Police and regulators, and is working with the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) on the issue.
Following the breach, the Minister for Cyber Security, Clare O’Neil, has warned that Australian cyber security organisations have seen increasing levels of broad targeting of Australians and Australian organisations by cybercriminals seeking to steal sensitive data.
If you were or are an Optus customer, we understand that you are rightfully concerned. This article from ABC News, informed by the ACSC, explains what you can do to strengthen your online security:
- Update your devices – this will help protect important information
- Use multi-factor authentication
- Back up your data regularly
The ACSC website has step-by-step guides for Apple, Android, and Windows devices.
Whilst Optus assures its users that their services are safe to use, the company has nonetheless urged its customers to have “heightened awareness” for “unusual or fraudulent activity.” This “increased vigilance” will enable the breached data to be spotted early on, if it is being used, which can “prevent it being used for more customers,” explained Bayer Rosmarin.
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