Hardware store implements new security measures following major cyberattack
By
Gian T
- Replies 17
In an age where personal information is as valuable as currency, the security of our online transactions is paramount.
The recent announcement that Total Tools, a popular hardware chain, has suffered a significant cyber incident, potentially putting the personal details of 38,000 customers at risk, has brought home this lesson to thousands of Australians.
Total Tools Chief Executive Richard Murray confirmed the breach, shocking the retail industry.
The compromised data includes customer names, email addresses, Total Tools passwords, mobile numbers, shipping addresses, and credit card details of customers who recently shopped or registered on the company's website.
This incident reminds us of the vulnerability of digital systems and the sophistication of cybercriminals constantly finding new ways to exploit them.
It raises serious questions about companies' security measures to protect their customers' information and the potential consequences of such breaches.
The company has taken immediate action to secure its website and investigate the breach, with Murray assuring customers that they believe the cause of the leak has been removed.
'The data that has been illegally compromised includes customer name, email address, Total Tools password, mobile number, shipping address, and credit card details of customers who shopped or registered on our website recently,' he stated.
In response to the breach, Total Tools has contacted impacted customers with recommendations on protecting themselves from potential misuse of their information.
The company has also implemented additional cybersecurity measures to reduce the likelihood of future incidents and reported the breach to the Australian Cyber Security Centre and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
The incident at Total Tools is part of a larger trend as cyberattacks become increasingly common.
A new report has revealed that Australia recorded the highest number of data breaches in over three years, with 527 reported from January to June.
This figure represents a nine per cent increase from the previous six months and is the highest reported since the second half of 2020.
For our readers, particularly those who may have shopped at Total Tools, it's crucial to take proactive steps to protect your personal information.
This includes changing passwords, monitoring bank statements for unusual activity, and being vigilant against phishing attempts that may use the stolen data.
In other news, Russian hackers have breached ZircoDATA, a data firm associated with more than 200 Australian companies and government agencies, leaking sensitive documents.
As a result of the cyberattack, personal information belonging to tens of thousands of Australians has been auctioned on the dark web. You can read more about it here.
Have you been affected by the Total Tools cyber incident, or do you have concerns about online security? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.
The recent announcement that Total Tools, a popular hardware chain, has suffered a significant cyber incident, potentially putting the personal details of 38,000 customers at risk, has brought home this lesson to thousands of Australians.
Total Tools Chief Executive Richard Murray confirmed the breach, shocking the retail industry.
The compromised data includes customer names, email addresses, Total Tools passwords, mobile numbers, shipping addresses, and credit card details of customers who recently shopped or registered on the company's website.
This incident reminds us of the vulnerability of digital systems and the sophistication of cybercriminals constantly finding new ways to exploit them.
It raises serious questions about companies' security measures to protect their customers' information and the potential consequences of such breaches.
The company has taken immediate action to secure its website and investigate the breach, with Murray assuring customers that they believe the cause of the leak has been removed.
'The data that has been illegally compromised includes customer name, email address, Total Tools password, mobile number, shipping address, and credit card details of customers who shopped or registered on our website recently,' he stated.
In response to the breach, Total Tools has contacted impacted customers with recommendations on protecting themselves from potential misuse of their information.
The company has also implemented additional cybersecurity measures to reduce the likelihood of future incidents and reported the breach to the Australian Cyber Security Centre and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
The incident at Total Tools is part of a larger trend as cyberattacks become increasingly common.
A new report has revealed that Australia recorded the highest number of data breaches in over three years, with 527 reported from January to June.
This figure represents a nine per cent increase from the previous six months and is the highest reported since the second half of 2020.
For our readers, particularly those who may have shopped at Total Tools, it's crucial to take proactive steps to protect your personal information.
This includes changing passwords, monitoring bank statements for unusual activity, and being vigilant against phishing attempts that may use the stolen data.
In other news, Russian hackers have breached ZircoDATA, a data firm associated with more than 200 Australian companies and government agencies, leaking sensitive documents.
As a result of the cyberattack, personal information belonging to tens of thousands of Australians has been auctioned on the dark web. You can read more about it here.
Key Takeaways
- Popular hardware chain Total Tools has been affected by a 'cyber incident' resulting in a data leak of 38,000 customers.
- The leaked data includes names, email addresses, credit card details, and other customers' personal information.
- Immediate steps were taken to secure the website, and additional cybersecurity measures have been implemented to prevent future occurrences.
- Total Tools is working with cybersecurity experts, has informed the Australian Cyber Security Centre and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, and is communicating with the impacted customers to recommend precautions to safeguard their information.