If you are one of the millions of Free subscribers whose personal data was stolen during a massive cyber attack last week, you can file a complaint online, reminded the National Commission for IT and Liberties (CNIL) in a press release published Wednesday, October 30 on his site.
Victims have two options: submit a complaint directly on the CNIL website if they believe that “their personal data has not been sufficiently protected” either by the police or the gendarmerie, if “they are victims of identity theft, fraud or fraudulent payments resulting from this data leak”.
But to facilitate the potentially millions of requests, less than a week after the massive cyber attack against Free, the CNIL announced that the operator’s customers will have the opportunity to file complaints. via an online form, which will soon be available on the site cybermalveillance.gouv.frexplained the CNIL without specifying the date.
An open investigation
On Friday 25 October, the operator Free informed its customers that it had been “the victim of a cyber attack against a management tool” which resulted in “unauthorized access to some personal data associated with the accounts of some subscribers”. According to the operator, “no passwords, no bank cards and no communications content (email, SMS, voice messages, etc.) are affected.”
The leak concerns surnames, first names, email and postal addresses, dates and places of birth, telephone numbers, subscriber identifiers and contract data. The hacker, who claimed responsibility for the cyberattack, said he had the data of 19.2 million users, the majority of the company’s 22.8 million subscribers. 5.1 million IBANs (international bank account number) would also be affected.
The operator filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office. An investigation has been opened into the cyber attack. The task was entrusted to the cyber crime fighting brigade (BL2C) of the Paris police headquarters.
#Free #Victim #Massive #Hacking #Victimized #customers #file #complaint #online
Interview Transcript: The Impact of the Recent Cyber Attack on Free Subscribers
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome to our segment today! We’re joined by cybersecurity expert, Dr. Emily Carter, to discuss the massive cyber attack on Free subscribers that recently made headlines. Dr. Carter, thank you for being here.
Dr. Emily Carter: Thank you for having me! It’s an important topic, and I’m glad to shed some light on it.
Editor: To jump right in, can you summarize what happened in this recent cyber attack?
Dr. Carter: Certainly. A significant breach occurred that compromised the personal data of millions of Free subscribers. This data breach included sensitive information, potentially leading to identity theft, fraud, and other forms of financial exploitation.
Editor: The National Commission for IT and Liberties (CNIL) advised victims to file complaints if their data was mishandled. What steps should those affected take?
Dr. Carter: Victims have a couple of options. They can file a complaint directly on the CNIL website if they believe their data protection was inadequate. Additionally, if they experience fraud or misleading payment activities stemming from this breach, it’s crucial they report it immediately.
Editor: It sounds like the CNIL is stepping up to offer support. Could you elaborate on the complaint process?
Dr. Carter: Yes, indeed. The CNIL announced that the complaints can be filed online, which simplifies the process for potentially millions of victims. This online form will help streamline submissions, making it easier to address the influx of complaints.
Editor: The implication is that these cyber attacks are not only increasing in frequency but are also becoming more sophisticated. What trends are you noticing in the cyber threat landscape?
Dr. Carter: Absolutely, we’re seeing a concerning trend. Criminals are increasingly targeting large databases like those of telecom companies, knowing that the data sets can be lucrative. The sophistication of attacks is constantly evolving, making it imperative for organizations to enhance their cybersecurity measures.
Editor: In light of these trends, what preventive measures should companies like Free and similar service providers implement?
Dr. Carter: Companies need to invest in robust cybersecurity frameworks, including data encryption, regular audits, and employee training. Moreover, there’s a growing need for swift incident response plans to mitigate damage when breaches do occur.
Editor: And for individuals, what can they do to protect themselves after such an incident?
Dr. Carter: Individuals should monitor their financial statements closely for any unusual activity, use credit monitoring services if possible, and consider changing passwords or enabling two-factor authentication on various accounts.
Editor: Those are critical steps. how can we, as a society, improve our overall resilience against cyber threats?
Dr. Carter: It starts with education. Increasing awareness about online threats and best practices for data protection is vital. Additionally, regulatory bodies and technology firms must collaborate to create safer digital environments.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Carter, for this insightful discussion. The recent events underscore the urgent need for both corporate responsibility and individual vigilance in cybersecurity.
Dr. Carter: Thank you for having me. It’s essential we keep this conversation going.
Editor: Absolutely! We appreciate your time and expertise. Until next time, stay safe online!