Cyber hackers target EasyJet and access details of 9million customers in ‘highly sophisticated’ attack
- Airline said email addresses and travel details of 9million people were accessed
- Of those affected, 2,208 had credit cards stolen, easyJet told stock exchange
- Risk of phishing fraud and number of cyber attacks have risen during pandemic
EasyJet has been the target of a major cyber attack, according to reports.
In a statement to the stock market, the troubled airline said that the email addresses and travel details of 9million customers were accessed.
Of the 9million people affected, 2,208 had credit card details stolen, easyJet said.
‘We take issues of security extremely seriously and continue to invest to further enhance our security environment,’ it said in a statement to the stock exchange.
EasyJet said it had notified the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the data regulator, and the National Cyber Security Centre.
The ICO has recommended easyJet contact everyone affected because of an increased risk of phishing fraud during the coronavirus crisis.
EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said in a statement: ‘Since we became aware of the incident, it has become clear that owing to Covid-19 there is heightened concern about personal data being used for online scams.
‘As a result, and on the recommendation of the ICO, we are contacting those customers whose travel information was accessed and we are advising them to be extra vigilant, particularly if they receive unsolicited communications.’
Hackers have stepped up their efforts to target major companies and the data they hold on customers. British Airways was hit in 2018 with the theft of credit card details of hundreds of thousands of its customers, while Cathay Pacific was also hit.
MailOnline has contacted easyJet for more information.
More to follow.