South Africa’s Cell C, the country’s fourth-largest mobile network provider, has confirmed a major data breach. The hacker group RansomHouse claimed responsibility for the attack, which resulted in 2TB of company data being leaked. Cell C stated that the hackers gained unauthorized access to specific parts of its IT systems, but the exact number of affected individuals remains unclear. The breach exposed sensitive personal information, including full names, contact details, banking information, and more.
Cell C, which serves 7.7 million customers, has not disclosed whether a ransom was demanded or if negotiations took place.
However, the company confirmed that a variety of personal and sensitive data was disclosed by RansomHouse. Among the compromised information were customer ID numbers, driver’s license numbers, medical records, and passport details. Cell C has warned affected individuals to be cautious of phishing scams and potential identity theft.
To address the breach, Cell C is working with international cybersecurity experts, cooperating with authorities, and keeping stakeholders informed.
The company has also implemented monitoring systems to track any misuse of the leaked data. In a statement, Cell C CEO Jorge Mendes expressed regret for the distress caused to affected customers and emphasized the company’s commitment to resolving the issue.
RansomHouse, the cybercrime group behind the attack, is known for its extortion tactics, claiming responsibility for previous high-profile breaches. Unlike traditional ransomware groups, RansomHouse does not encrypt data but instead threatens to publish stolen information. The group has previously targeted major organizations like chipmaker AMD, supermarket chain Shoprite Group, and the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.
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