British airline group EasyJet has confirmed that a “highly sophisticated cyber-attack” has affected their approximately nine million customer’s data.
Through the attack travel details and email addresses had been lifted and that detail also contained 2,208 customers’ credit card details.
UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office has initiated the investigation of breach after the firm’s information. EasyJet revealed it first became aware of the attack in starting of the year.
It said that it was only able to alert customers whose credit card details were stolen in April.
EasyJet had gone public now to warn the nine million customers whose email addresses had been taken to be wary of phishing attacks.
It said that we would inform everyone affected by 26 May.
In a statement, EasyJet said “We take issues of security extremely seriously and continue to invest to further enhance our security environment”.
It added “There is no evidence that any personal information of any nature has been misused, however, on the recommendation of the ICO, we are communicating with the approximately nine million customers whose travel details were accessed to advise them of protective steps to minimise any risk of potential phishing. We are advising customers to be cautious of any communications purporting to come from EasyJet or EasyJet Holidays.”
The ICO said that it was investigating the breach. It also added “People have a right to expect that organisations will handle their personal information securely and responsibly. When that doesn’t happen, we will investigate and take robust action where necessary”.
Further the ICO also warned people to be on the lookout for cyber/phishing attacks and advised them to visit on its website on how to spot such scams.
A digital privacy expert at ProPrivacy Ray Walsh said it is likely that hackers will take advantage of the fact people are cancelling flights because of the uncertainty related to the spread of Covid-19.
He added “Anybody who has ever purchased an EasyJet flight is advised to be extremely wary when opening emails from now on”.