Namibia’s state-owned telecommunications company, Telecom Namibia, has recently become a victim of a ransomware attack executed by the hacking group known as Hunters International. The breach led to the exposure of sensitive customer data, which reportedly included personal details of high-ranking government officials.
The incident came to light after Telecom Namibia decided not to comply with the hackers’ ransom demands. The company discovered on the previous Friday that the data, amounting to nearly 500,000 pieces, had been leaked onto the dark web. This data encompassed personal and financial information from various ministries, senior government personnel, and other clients of the company.
Outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba has publicly condemned the attack, emphasizing through his spokesperson Alfredo Hengari that such cybersecurity breaches should be addressed with the utmost urgency due to their implications for national security.
Telecom Namibia’s CEO, Stanley Shanapinda, initially believed that no critical data had been accessed. However, it was later confirmed that sensitive records including personal IDs, addresses, and banking details had been compromised and were circulating on social media.
In response, Telecom Namibia is collaborating with security officials to mitigate further risks and to pursue legal action against the perpetrators. The company has also issued a stern warning against the distribution of the leaked data, stating that doing so would constitute a criminal act. Shanapinda advised customers to update their passwords and be cautious with financial transactions to prevent further exploitation.
Ransomware attacks like this one typically involve locking victims out of their data, demanding payment, often in cryptocurrency, to restore access. The attackers usually set a deadline for payment, threatening to release the confidential data if unmet. Shanapinda made it clear that Telecom Namibia would not negotiate with these “cyber-terrorists,” citing the unfeasibility and risks associated with paying such ransoms, as there is no assurance that the data won’t be leaked even after payment.
This incident highlights the growing cyber threats to national infrastructure and the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity measures
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