A Medibank customer has revealed why she doesn’t care if her ‘relatively sensitive’ medical records have been released by Russian hackers.
The hackers are believed to have released all remaining stolen data from Medibank – putting the personal information of up to 9.7million Australians at risk.
Australia’s biggest health insurer’s entire system was exposed to a breach by an international crime syndicate last month, with the criminals demanding the company pay a $15million ransom.
Medibank refused to meet the demand and, after weeks of releasing dribs and drabs of files, the hackers published their final – and biggest – trove of data yet on Thursday.
‘Happy Cyber Security Day!!!,’ the hackers said in a vile message posted alongside a folder. ‘Added folder full. Case closed.’
But Jane from Melbourne told the Daily Mail she said her – and her friends’ – overwhelming feeling was apathy rather than anger.
It’s time for the 9.7million Australians affected by the Medibank breach to give the Russian hackers a proverbial middle finger, says Jane
‘I don’t care if my relatively sensitive medical records somehow escape the dark web, and I don’t care if they’re sold onto cyber criminals who then steal my ID or try to extort me,’ the 43-year-old said.
‘I don’t care if my boss, colleagues or acquaintances somehow get to know details of my GP visits because guess what? Just about everyone has stuff going on in their lives, and their health.’
The mother-of-one said she started protecting herself with a few simple steps log before Medibank was ‘done over’.
‘I don’t respond to dodgy texts, or emails. I always call a company to check their account and BSB before I deposit large amounts of money. I do regular checks on my credit score,’ she said.
During the saga, politicians close to tears have called the hackers ‘criminal low life’s’ who have committed a ‘dog act’, while causing Australians to feel violated, distressed and sick to their stomach.
‘I have no doubt that many Aussies have been feeling anxious and violated, and I do feel for those who are in dangerous situations and want to remain as anonymous as possible,’ Jane said.
‘But now that there’s 9.7million of us apparently all in this together, I think it’s time to give the hackers a proverbial middle finger, take the advised safety precautions, and get on with our lives.’
THE LATEST LEAK
The leaked folder reportedly includes six files totalling 6.5 gigabytes – overwhelmingly larger than the previous dump of 6400 megabytes.
Medibank CEO David Koczkar has previously apologised for the release of the sensitive information
November 30 is ‘International Cyber Security Day’, an ironic occasion for the hackers to post the data.
Currently, the information has only been released on the dark web but its expected to make its way onto the internet soon.
All Medibank customers are advised to remain hyper-vigilant to scams via text, phone and email.
They have been urged to not pay any ransom or engage with any scammer claiming to have their information. Instead, they should be reported to Scamwatch.gov.au.
In a statement, Medibank said it was still analysing the data, which it described as incomplete and hard to understand.
It tweeted: ‘We’re aware stolen Medibank customer data has been released on the dark web overnight. We’re in the process of analysing the data, but it appears to be the data we believed the criminal stole.
‘While our investigation continues there’s currently no signs that financial or banking data has been taken and the personal data stolen in itself isn’t sufficient to enable identity & financial fraud.
‘The raw data we’ve analysed today so far is incomplete and hard to understand.
‘We apologise unreservedly to our customers. We remain committed to fully and transparently communicating with customers and will continue to contact customers whose data has been released on the dark web
‘We remain vigilant and encourage everyone to stay alert to any suspicious activity online or over the phone.’
All Medibank and ahm customers seeking more information have been urged to contact the company’s cyber response hotlines by phone or through an information page on the firm’s website.
Medibank said its customers could also speak to experienced and qualified mental health professionals 24/7 over the phone for advice or support around mental health or wellbeing or contact Lifeline, Beyond Blue or their GP.
The hackers demanded a $15 million ransom, which Medibank refused to meet
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil has given instructions to Medibank customers on how to protect themselves – after Russian hackers released the data of millions on the dark web
Government Services and NDIS Minister Bill Shorten called the development ‘shocking’.
‘The people who’ve hacked Medibank are absolute criminal lowlife.
‘What I can say from the point of view of my responsibilities is that if people think that any government ID has in any way been breached… contact us.’
Hundreds of names, addresses, birthdates and Medicare details were posted under a ‘good-list’ and ‘naughty-list’ on a blog belonging to the hackers earlier in November.
On November 14, hackers behind the cyber attack released sensitive customer data relating to mental health treatment.
It included 500 records for people who have had diagnoses of mental illness, among other medical conditions.
Those who suspect their details have been compromised are urged to call their banks and IDCARE on 1800 595 160.
DailyMail
