If you have ever seen a news story about a hack and thought "Could I be affected by this?" .You are not alone. Many Askul customers probably wondered the same thing this week. Askul is a large Japanese online retailer offering office supplies and everyday items. Recently, the company reported that Aksul was hacked by hackers who used ransomware to break into their systems.
The group that attacked Askul was called RansomHouse. They not only locked Askul's files, but they also copied the personal data of 740,000 Askul customers and posted proof of this online.
Askul took prompt action to shut down parts of its systems as it discovered the cyberattack by the hackers, but by this time, the hackers had already taken and collected all the information. The key takeaway of this incident is to be careful and alert for phishing e-mails pretending to be Askul.
What Happened?
Hackers broke into Askul's systems using ransomware. Ransomware is a type of cyberattack where criminals gain access to sensitive information and then try to extort money from the victim.The group that attacked Askul was called RansomHouse. They not only locked Askul's files, but they also copied the personal data of 740,000 Askul customers and posted proof of this online.
What Type Of Information Has Been Stolen?
The data stolen from Askul included:- Customer names
- Email addresses
- Telephone numbers
- Order/delivery information
Why This Is Serious
However, this incident serves as a reminder to all online shoppers to be cautious when providing credit card numbers or personal information online.Askul took prompt action to shut down parts of its systems as it discovered the cyberattack by the hackers, but by this time, the hackers had already taken and collected all the information. The key takeaway of this incident is to be careful and alert for phishing e-mails pretending to be Askul.
What You Should Do Now
If you are a customer who uses Askul’s services, you need to keep the following in mind:- Be cautious of all emails that appear to be legitimate emails from Askul
- Don't click on any suspicious links or download unknown files
- Change your passwords immediately if you have used the same password across many websites