Yellow Pages Canada, a leading online directory service, has confirmed a cyber attack that resulted in the theft of its user data. The attack was carried out by the hacking group known as Black Basta, which has claimed responsibility for the breach and has subsequently leaked the stolen data online.
According to Yellow Pages Canada, the attackers gained unauthorized access to its systems in early April 2023 and exfiltrated a large amount of data, including customer names, email addresses, phone numbers, and in some cases, mailing addresses. The company has stated that no financial information was compromised in the breach.
Following the attack, the group responsible for the breach, Black Basta, published a sample of the stolen data on the dark web, and claimed to have additional data that it will release in the coming weeks if the company does not pay a ransom. The hackers have demanded a ransom of $1 million in Bitcoin, but Yellow Pages Canada has stated that it will not negotiate with the attackers and will instead work with law enforcement agencies to investigate the breach and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The attack on Yellow Pages Canada highlights the growing threat of cyber attacks on companies that store large amounts of sensitive customer data. It also underscores the need for organizations to implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect against such attacks and to have an incident response plan in place in case of a breach.
In the aftermath of the attack, Yellow Pages Canada has advised its customers to remain vigilant and to be on the lookout for suspicious emails or phone calls that may be attempts to scam them. The company has also apologized to its customers for the breach and has assured them that it is taking all necessary steps to mitigate the impact of the attack and prevent similar incidents in the future.
In conclusion, the Yellow Pages Canada cyber attack serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of cyber attacks and the need for companies to take proactive measures to protect their data and their customers’ data. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, it is important for businesses of all sizes to stay vigilant and to invest in robust cybersecurity solutions to mitigate the risk of cyber attacks.