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Sensitive data leaked after Namibia ransomware hack

3 min read

Telecom Namibia, the state-owned telecommunications company, has fallen victim to a significant ransomware attack, leading to the leak of sensitive customer data. The cyberattack, carried out by a group of hackers known as Hunters International, resulted in the exposure of personal and financial details, including information about senior government officials and ministries. The company discovered last Friday that sensitive data had been leaked onto the dark web after the hackers threatened to release the stolen information unless a ransom was paid.

Telecom Namibia’s management has expressed concern over the breach and is currently investigating how it occurred. The company revealed that it had refused to negotiate with the hackers, which led them to release the stolen data. Initially, it appeared that no sensitive information had been compromised, but the extent of the breach became clear when a massive trove of data was leaked. Nearly 500,000 records containing personal identification details, addresses, banking information, and other private data were stolen and shared publicly, including on social media.

The country’s outgoing president, Nangolo Mbumba, has condemned the attack, calling it a matter of national security. His office emphasized the need for urgent action to address the situation and strengthen cybersecurity measures. “Cybersecurity is an issue of national security,” Mbumba’s spokesman, Alfredo Hengari, was quoted as saying in local media.

Telecom Namibia’s CEO, Stanley Shanapinda, stated that the hackers made the data public after the company refused to engage in ransom negotiations. Ransomware is malicious software that locks a victim’s data and demands a ransom, typically paid in cryptocurrency, to release it. In this case, the hackers set a deadline for the ransom to be paid, warning that they would leak the data if their demands were not met. Shanapinda made it clear that the company would not bow to such threats, adding that paying the ransom would not guarantee the return of the stolen data.

The company has urged customers to take precautions in light of the data leak. They have advised affected individuals to change passwords on personal devices and to be cautious when making financial transactions. Telecom Namibia also warned that anyone sharing or using the leaked information would be committing a criminal offense. The company emphasized that it was working closely with local and international security experts to mitigate any further risks and bring those responsible to justice.

Ransomware attacks like this one are becoming increasingly common. Cybercriminals typically target large organizations and government agencies, demanding high sums of money in exchange for not releasing sensitive data. Telecom Namibia’s refusal to pay the ransom is part of a broader trend where organizations are opting to resist such threats, despite the considerable pressure from cyber-terrorists. Shanapinda stated that negotiating with these hackers was not an option, as the ransom amounts demanded were “exorbitant and unaffordable.”

The breach has prompted serious concerns about the security of sensitive data in Namibia, with local media reporting that the hackers not only targeted the telecommunications company but also stole data from several government ministries. The data leak has exposed vulnerabilities in the country’s cybersecurity infrastructure, prompting calls for stronger protections against future attacks.

This incident underscores the growing threat of ransomware attacks globally, which have become a major concern for both public and private sector organizations. As more companies and governments face similar attacks, the need for better cybersecurity practices and proactive defense strategies is more important than ever. Telecom Namibia’s experience serves as a warning of the serious consequences that can result from such attacks, including reputational damage, financial losses, and the exposure of personal and confidential information.

Despite the ongoing investigation, it remains unclear how the hackers gained access to Telecom Namibia’s systems. The company has pledged to enhance its security measures moving forward and is working with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts to track down the perpetrators. Meanwhile, the public has been urged to avoid using or distributing the leaked data and to remain vigilant against potential fraud or identity theft related to the breach.

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