Alleged Data Breach: Hacker Claims to Sell Information of 375 Million Airtel Users
Contents
Airtel data breach
Alleged Data Breach: Hacker Claims to Sell Information of 375 Million Airtel Users
Data Breach Alert: Hacker Claims to Sell Information of 375 Million Airtel Users
Reports have surfaced about a hacker allegedly selling data of over 375 million Airtel users. This data purportedly includes sensitive information such as phone numbers, Aadhaar numbers, and names.
Airtel has firmly stated that there has been no breach in its systems.
Incident Details
Buzz on Twitter and a web forum popular among hackers, cyber criminals, and security researchers suggests that data of 375 million Airtel users is being sold. Despite Airtel’s quick response dismissing these claims, the company has reiterated that there is no breach in their systems and that the hacker is attempting to deceive the public.
“There has been an ongoing report alleging that Airtel customer data has been compromised. This is nothing short of a desperate attempt to tarnish Airtel’s reputation by vested interests. We have done a thorough investigation and can confirm that there has been no breach whatsoever from Airtel systems,” an Airtel spokesperson told India Today Tech.
Source of the Claim
The buzz started when a Twitter account named FalconFeeds.ai shared a screenshot of a forum post where a hacker identified as xenZen was selling data of 375 million Airtel users on BeachForums. This forum is known for buying and selling stolen data. According to the post, the data includes:
- Mobile Numbers
- Names
- Dates of Birth
- Father’s Names
- Addresses
- Email IDs
- Gender and Nationality
- Aadhaar Numbers
- Photo ID Proof Details
- Address Proof Details
Verification and Reactions
While there is no clear evidence that the data is in the hands of hackers, security researchers believe the claim might be credible. Nicolas Krassas from Henkel AG and cyber security commentator Srinivas Kodali have both highlighted the issue on Twitter, with Kodali noting that a China-based threat actor is allegedly behind the breach.
Best Practices for Cyber Security
Despite Airtel’s denial of a breach, it is crucial to follow cyber security best practices to protect your data:
- Change Passwords Regularly: Update passwords for all online accounts linked to compromised email addresses.
- Monitor Accounts: Regularly check bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security to online accounts.
- Beware of Phishing Attempts: Avoid clicking on suspicious links or providing personal information to unverified sources.
Stay vigilant and protect your personal information to mitigate the risk of potential data breaches.
conclusion
while a hacker claims to possess and sell the data of 375 million Airtel users, including sensitive information such as phone numbers, Aadhaar numbers, and names, Airtel maintains that there has been no breach in their systems. The company’s thorough investigation and quick response suggest that the claims might be an attempt to deceive the public and tarnish Airtel’s reputation. Despite the lack of concrete evidence confirming the hacker’s possession of this data, the incident underscores the importance of adhering to robust cyber security practices to protect personal information. Regularly changing passwords, monitoring accounts for unauthorized transactions, enabling two-factor authentication, and being cautious of phishing attempts are essential steps to safeguard against potential data breaches.
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