In case you missed it, Cell C got a little too cozy with hackers last week, and the result was a cyberattack exposing sensitive data. Enter RansomHouse, the notorious hacking group that previously made waves after breaching Shoprite in 2022.
RansomHouse didn’t waste any time boasting about their latest win, uploading some files to their dark web site as “proof” of their claim. The group, which specializes in cyber extortion, posted files from the hack that include customer call records, scans of identity docs, and—wait for it—screenshots of Cell C’s financial spreadsheets. All the good stuff, basically.
The hackers managed to breach Cell C’s systems in early November 2024, pulling off a grand theft of 2TB of data (that’s a lot of megabytes). Among the spoils? Customer contracts, NDA front pages, and financial statements. So, not your run-of-the-mill data breach—this one’s got all the juicy details.
While Cell C’s response has been swift (they’ve notified the authorities and are working with cybersecurity experts), they’re still figuring out exactly how much damage has been done. They’ve also yet to disclose how much RansomHouse demanded in ransom.
In true hacker style, RansomHouse is threatening to leak or sell the data if their demands aren’t met. These hackers are known for making their operations “stealthier” by avoiding the usual encryption route. This means they’ve got more time to pilfer data without triggering alarms.
Cell C is, of course, advising customers to stay vigilant. If you’re a Cell C customer, be sure to protect your personal info and check out their cybersecurity guide.
Cybercrime is on the rise globally and locally, so let’s keep our digital lives tight—before the hackers decide to take us all for a ride. Stay safe out there!
Source Info: https://mybroadband.co.za/news/cellular/578225-what-hackers-stole-from-cell-c.html