Qantas 'contacted by potential cybercriminal' after attack on data of up to 6 million customers
Photo:
AFP
Qantas says it has been contacted by "a potential cybercriminal" less than a week after revealing a "significant" breach and theft of data on up to 6 million of its customers from its records during a cyber attack.
The airline said in a statement on Monday that it is working to verify the legitimacy of the contact and have contacted the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
It has not confirmed the nature of the contact or whether a ransom was sought.
A spokesperson for the AFP told the ABC that it was investigating the contact.
"The airline has been highly engaged in assisting authorities and the AFP with investigating this incident," a statement said.
The update comes after the airline detected unusual activity on a third-party platform used by a Qantas contact centre.
Qantas said last week
that it was investigating the proportion of the data that had been stolen, though it expected it would be "significant".
The airline said that it was continuing to work with "specialist cybersecurity experts to forensically analyse the impacted system".
That investigation has determined that the system was now secure and no credit card details, personal financial information or passport details were accessed in the breach.
"We want to reassure all of our customers that there is no impact to Qantas' operations or the safety of our airline," Qantas said in a statement.
On Friday Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson
issued an apology
to the airline's customers, saying the business takes matters of cybersecurity "incredibly seriously".
"What I would first like to say is acknowledge the impact to all our customers and, first and foremost, I'd like to apologise to them," she said in an interview with Channel Seven in Athens.
"I know this data breach is a serious concern. I know the stress that it has created for many, many millions of customers.
"And so, right up front, I want to say we take this seriously and we are going to do everything that we can to communicate transparently."
- ABC
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
18 hours ago
- RNZ News
Cricket Australia boss says tests could send nations 'bankrupt'
Harry Brook of England is caught by Steve Smith of Australia, Ashes, 2023. Photo: Matt Impey / PHOTOSPORT Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg says the traditional test format could push some cricket nations into financial ruin and the sport may be better off with fewer five-day matches. Greenberg, who replaced Nick Hockley as chied executive in March, said the future of test cricket may involve fewer nations and more investment in marquee series like the Ashes. "I don't think everyone in world cricket needs to aspire to play test cricket, and that might be OK," Greenberg told reporters on Wednesday, marking 100 days before Australia host England in the Ashes. "We're literally trying to send countries bankrupt if we force them to try to play test cricket." Greenberg, the former head of the sport's players' union, said cricket boards needed to prioritise meaningful contests over volume. "Scarcity in test cricket is our friend, not our foe," he said. "We need to make sure we invest in the right spaces to play test cricket where it means something and has jeopardy. "That's why the Ashes will be as enormous and profitable as it is, because it means something." While the five-test Ashes series starting in Perth in late-November has seen record demand for tickets, the longest format is under siege from T20 cricket. Mushrooming T20 franchise leagues offering lucrative player contracts are crowding out the global calendar and have prompted a slew of top players to give up tests and one-day internationals. Though Australia maintains a bumper schedule of tests every home summer, it was also one of the earlier movers in T20, with the Big Bash League set for its 15th season in December. CA has resisted allowing private investment in BBL teams but Greenberg signalled the policy could be coming to an end following a review by Boston Consulting Group. "It would be completely naive of us sitting here in Australia to not explore (privatisation)," he said. "I'm not suggesting there's been a decision made, and ultimately it won't just be my decision or Cricket Australia's decision. "It will be the whole of leadership of Australian cricket and it has to be beneficial for everyone." -Reuters
RNZ News
19 hours ago
- RNZ News
Cinema software firm Vista Group trims interim losses
Photo: 123rf Cinema software company Vista Group has trimmed its interim losses as revenue and margins increased, while it's focusing on scaling its cloud-based platform. Key numbers for the six months ended June compared with a year ago: The company said the results reflect Vista Group's strategic focus on scaling Vista Cloud, which is designed to modernise and streamline cinema operations. New Vista Cloud clients include Odeon Cinemas Group and Village Cinemas Australia. "Demand for Vista Cloud continues to grow, reflecting strong market appetite for our cloud solutions, with demand now exceeding our delivery capacity," chief executive Stuart Dickinson said. The company said it was adding capacity to its technology and delivery teams to onboard new clients and meet the present demand. Total revenue increased 11 percent, while its loss after-tax loss improved 56 percent to $1.2 million. Vista maintained its full-year revenue guidance of $167m and operating margins of between 16 and 18 percent. The company expects annual recurring revenue to hit $175m in 2026. Dickinson said he was confident in the company's future. He said the company aimed to eventually grow recurring revenue to $315m per year.
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Kiwi murderer David Ngatokotoru Martin to be deported from Australia under 501 law
By Tara Shaskey, Open Justice reporter of Kiwi man David Ngatokotoru Martin was jailed for murdering Luke Hankey in Australia in 2007. He has now been released from prison on parole and is being held in immigration detention. Photo: 123RF A Kiwi who murdered an aspiring professional surfer in a New South Wales pub carpark almost 20 years ago has been released from prison and is being held in immigration detention across the ditch. David Ngatokotoru Martin, 45, has made a plea to the Australian Government from the detention centre to allow him to remain in the country, where he would be subjected to parole conditions until 2030 if he were released into the community. Lisa Mackett, Martin's partner and co-offender in the violent 2007 incident which led to his murder conviction, has supported his plea, stating she has remained in a committed relationship with him since he was jailed. But the tribunal considering the appeal heard Martin lacked remorse and insight for his crimes, including the murder, had repeatedly breached prison rules by using drugs while inside, and had not engaged in rehabilitation to the extent recommended by the courts or prison psychologists. Martin was found to be a "significant risk" of committing further violent offending if he were released into the community, leading the Administrative Review Tribunal of Australia to rule in favour of his deportation to New Zealand, where he has not resided since 1988, when he was 8. According to the decision, released this month, Martin and Mackett went to the Bateau Bay Hotel in New South Wales on October 20, 2007. They spent the evening in the hotel's beer garden with friends before leaving around midnight. They decided to drive home rather than leave their car parked at the venue, where groups of people were milling about, yelling and shouting. As Mackett drove through the carpark, the car's path became blocked by pedestrians, including Luke Hankey, who was directly in front of the vehicle when it stopped. "He apparently turned his back on the vehicle, putting plant material down his trousers and, as described by his sister, 'wiggled his bum'," the decision detailed. "Lisa Mackett was heard to yell out, perhaps with expletives: 'Get out of the way; you'll get yourself killed.' The path of the car, however, remained blocked. Members of the crowd yelled at the occupants of the car." Martin, who had been in the passenger seat, and Mackett got out of the car and Martin picked up a "blunt instrument" believed to be a screwdriver. He swiftly approached the group and struck one man twice in the neck with the weapon, leaving superficial wounds, before moving towards Hankey. "With a thrusting motion, requiring moderate to severe force, he struck Luke Hankey twice in the chest. The blunt implement, on one of these occasions, penetrated eight centimetres through to the heart and aorta." As Hankey collapsed, Martin confronted a third man, who backed away while holding up his hands. Martin did not harm the third man and returned to the car while Mackett assaulted two women before rejoining Martin. "The whole episode took seconds rather than minutes. The vehicle then left at some speed, driven by David Martin. As it drove away, it was attacked by the crowd." Meanwhile, Hankey was taken to hospital where he was declared dead, according to Australian media. The 24-year-old was described in reports as an aspiring professional surfer who had been celebrating his niece's birthday with family and friends on the night he was killed. Martin went on to plead guilty to the common assault of one victim but denied murder and reckless wounding relating to his other victims. Following a lengthy trial, he was found guilty and sentenced in October 2011 to 20 years' imprisonment with a minimum parole period of 15 years for the murder, and two years and six months on the other charges. Mackett was convicted of being an accessory after the fact to murder and two counts of assault. According to the tribunal's decision, Martin, whose visa was cancelled as a result of his serious offending, was released on parole in May this year and taken into immigration detention. That same month, he applied to the tribunal to appeal his visa cancellation. Martin has resided in Australia continuously for more than 36 years and has never returned to NZ, according to the decision. He began using drugs and alcohol from an early age, did not complete school and ran away from home at 15, initially sleeping in abandoned trains. Martin only occasionally worked and has an extensive criminal history, beginning in 1995. While multiple reports stated Martin was not remorseful for his offending, he told the tribunal he was ashamed of his behaviour and that he regretted the damage he had caused. However, the tribunal said he still sought to minimise his culpability, and denied the murder was unprovoked. It said he has taken some steps to address his drug and alcohol use and his need for anger management but more work was required, and he has limited support in the community. The tribunal was not convinced that Mackett, who is currently prevented by Martin's parole conditions from contacting him, and others who offered to support Martin, would be a positive influence. Martin said he has no family, housing, or support network in NZ but, in ruling in favour of his deportation, the tribunal said he would likely receive support as a returning prisoner under NZ's Returning Offenders (Management and Information) Act 2015. The Act enables the Department of Corrections to manage and monitor certain offenders, such as 501 deportees, returning from overseas. * This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald .
