Telecom Namibia has confirmed a major ransomware attack that led to the leak of sensitive customer data, including personal details of top government officials. The state-owned telecoms firm revealed the breach occurred after refusing to negotiate with the hacking group “Hunters International.”
The hackers reportedly stole nearly 500,000 records containing personal and financial information from ministries, senior officials, and other clients. The stolen data has been leaked on the dark web and circulated on social media, raising serious cybersecurity concerns.
Government Reaction
Outgoing President Nangolo Mbumba condemned the attack, describing it as a threat to national security. His spokesperson, Alfredo Hengari, emphasized the need for swift action, according to The Namibian newspaper.
Company Response
Telecom Namibia’s CEO, Stanley Shanapinda, stated the breach was discovered last Friday. Initially, it appeared no sensitive data was compromised, but further investigations revealed the scale of the leak. Shanapinda reiterated the company’s refusal to pay the ransom, citing the lack of guarantees that payment would prevent the release of stolen data.
In a statement, the company urged customers to change passwords and exercise caution in financial transactions. It also warned against sharing leaked information, as doing so would constitute a criminal offense.
Efforts to Mitigate the Impact
Telecom Namibia is collaborating with security officials to minimize further exposure and pursue the perpetrators. The company vowed to strengthen its cybersecurity measures to prevent future incidents.
Understanding Ransomware
Ransomware attacks involve hackers locking or stealing sensitive data and demanding payment, often in cryptocurrency, to release it. If the ransom is not paid, the attackers typically threaten to leak the data publicly.
Shanapinda emphasized the company’s firm stance against negotiating with cybercriminals:
“The sums they demand are exorbitant and unaffordable, and there’s no assurance they won’t leak the data anyway, even if paid,” he said.
Telecom Namibia has advised vigilance and urged the public to report suspicious activity to authorities.
