Malware

Free, France’s No. 2 ISP, Admits to Data Breach Following Shocking Leak

Free, France’s second-largest ISP, has confirmed a data breach impacting 700,000 customers. The exposed data includes names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers. The company has implemented additional security measures and is urging users to change their account passwords.

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Imagine waking up one day to find out your personal information has been stolen by hackers. That’s precisely what happened to millions of customers of Free, a major internet service provider (ISP) in France. Over the weekend, the company confirmed that its systems were breached, and customer data was stolen.

Free is no small player in the telecommunications industry. With over 22.9 million mobile and fixed subscribers at the end of June, it’s the second-largest telecommunications company in France and a subsidiary of the Iliad Group, Europe’s sixth-largest mobile operator by the number of subscribers. That’s a lot of people potentially affected by this breach!

The company has taken action by filing a criminal complaint with the public prosecutor and notifying the French National Commission for Information Technology and Civil Liberties (CNIL) and the National Agency for the Security of Information Systems (ANSSI) of the incident.

What happened and who is affected?

According to a Free spokesperson, the hack targeted a management tool that exposed subscribers’ data. Thankfully, the attackers failed to access customer passwords, bank card information, and communications content (including “emails, SMS, voice messages, etc.”). However, the data that was stolen is now being auctioned on BreachForums to the highest bidder.

The threat actor responsible for the breach, known as “drussellx,” claims that the breach impacts almost a third of France’s population. They say that the data breach affects 19.2 million customers and contains over 5.11 million International Bank Account Numbers (IBANs). It affects all Free Mobile and Freebox customers and includes the IBANs of all 5.11 million Freebox subscribers.

How can you protect yourself?

Free has assured its customers that the stolen IBANs are “not enough to make a direct debit from a bank.” However, it’s essential for subscribers to be vigilant against phishing attempts. Never communicate your access codes or bank card information, whether by email, SMS, or during a call. If you notice an unusual direct debit that doesn’t correspond to any known invoice amount or date, inform your bank, as they’re obliged to reimburse you for fraudulent charges.

So, what can we learn from this incident? Cybersecurity threats are real and can affect anyone, even major telecommunications companies. It’s crucial to stay informed about potential risks and take steps to protect our personal information.

Stay informed and stay protected

As your trusted IT Services provider, we’re here to help you stay informed about cybersecurity threats and keep your information safe. Our team of experts is always on the lookout for the latest cybersecurity news, trends, and best practices. So don’t hesitate to contact us for guidance and advice on how to keep your data secure. And remember, knowledge is power – the more you know about cybersecurity, the better equipped you’ll be to protect yourself and your information.

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