Yet another hack, at Free this time, with unauthorized access to the personal data of some of its customers. Yet another alert which carries a high risk of phishing and scams of all kinds. Caution !
It never ends! For several weeks now, French companies and organizations have been victims of serial hacking, which results in the theft of personal data of customers and users. Boulanger, Truffaut, Cultura, SFR, Retirement Insurance and Meilleurtaux… It’s a real massacre! Mobile operators are not spared. They are indeed particularly attractive targets for cybercriminals, due to the colossal amount of personal information they have on their subscribers.
Last September, SFR paid the price and alerted its customers that it had spotted unauthorized access to their personal data, including their IBAN and SIM card numbers. This time, it’s Free’s turn to be leaked, as reported UniverseFreebox. In an email addressed to some of its Freebox subscribers, the operator reveals that it has “noticed a consultation of your personal data”.
Free Hacking: an intrusion into the database
As the ISP points out, this intrusion can “lead to a loss of confidentiality of some of your information”. Among the data consulted by the attacker, we find the names, first names, telephone numbers, and postal addresses of subscribers. The turn of phrase used by Free could suggest that other data could be affected, but the operator assures that bank details and passwords are not affected.
For the moment, it is difficult to know the number of subscribers affected, and even less so the origin of the leak. Free assures to have taken “all necessary measures” to prevent this from happening again and to ensure the confidentiality of personal information as best as possible.
Free Hacking: high risks of phishing and scams
Even if the data collected is not particularly sensitive, phishing campaigns should be expected in the weeks to come. Indeed, when they get their hands on databases, scammers use personal information to adapt their traps and make their messages more credible, including impersonating your operator – in this case, Free. The operator also admits that“you may receive unwanted calls that appear to come from Free (or another organization) but in reality are not”referring to the famous fake advisor scam.
In short, if you are a subscriber of the operator, be extra vigilant in the coming weeks and as always, do not hastily respond to emails, SMS, calls, and even registered letters whose sender you do not know or who appear suspicious to you. Take the time to verify the identity of the person you are talking to before doing anything!
This is not the first time that Free has been the victim of piracy! Last February, the same scenario had already occurred (see our article). In addition, in March a flaw allowed customers to view the invoices of other Freebox subscribers from their customer area. But this time, the increase in data leaks is not limited to the telecommunications sector. Ultimately, these incidents led to a leak of the personal data of tens of millions of French people. Caution is more important than ever!