Two major French sports federations, the Archery Federation and the Mountain and Climbing Federation, have fallen victim to cyberattacks, with a total of 200,000 individuals’ data compromised. The cybercriminals exploited a vulnerability in a service provider responsible for managing the federations’ member data. The Archery Federation, which was first targeted, reported that over 77,000 members had their personal information stolen, including full names, birth dates, addresses, and profile pictures. In response, the federation advised its members to change their passwords to prevent further breaches.
The Mountain and Climbing Federation also announced that 120,000 members’ personal information had been stolen in a similar fashion.
Both federations traced the cyberattack back to the same service provider, which led to the compromise of data across various sports organizations. The Archery Federation quickly neutralized the malicious file, but the cybersecurity risks associated with the service provider’s vulnerability remain a concern. Experts warn that other federations relying on the same provider may soon face similar threats.
This incident is part of a broader wave of cyberattacks targeting organizations in France. In recent weeks, other high-profile companies, including Free, Auchan, Peugeot, and Norauto, have also been victims of cyberattacks. The breach of Free’s data, which exposed the personal information of 19.2 million customers, has triggered a surge in online scams, with cybercriminals taking advantage of the stolen data to launch phishing attempts and other fraudulent activities. French authorities have urged the public to remain cautious and vigilant against potential scams.
Additionally, Kiabi, a French retail company, also experienced a breach, with hackers gaining access to sensitive customer information, including contact details and bank account numbers. While the hackers did not manage to steal full bank account information, the theft of IBAN numbers poses a significant security threat for the victims. The growing number of cyberattacks in France highlights the increasing risks faced by both individuals and organizations, prompting greater attention to cybersecurity and data protection.
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