Cybersecurity expert warns Optus hack may cost lives
A cybersecurity expert says Optus must “seriously consider” the $1.5 million ransom demanded by the hacker who has seized the data of 9.8 million current and former customers.
Chief Strategy Officer at CyberCX, Alastair MacGibbon, says if the personal information of Optus customers becomes public, it could cost lives.
Press PLAY below to hear how the data breach could cost lives
“Something like 9.8 million Australians have potentially had things like their addresses exposed,” Mr MacGibbon told Ross and Russel.
“If you’ve just fled a violent relationship … what happens if someone releases this data?
“Low and behold this violent offender can find where their former partner now lives. This will happen tens of thousands of times across the country — there’s potential loss of life here.”
A person claiming to be the Optus hacker has today released the details of 10,000 customers. They say they’ll continue to release more details every day unless the ransom is paid.
Nigel Phair, a former cyber police officer with the federal police, told 3AW Mornings it was alarming.
Press PLAY below to hear his thoughts
Image: Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images