In the digital age, the security of personal information is paramount.

However, for Australian Nissan owners, this security has been compromised.

Following a severe cyberattack on Nissan Australia's IT systems, customer data has been leaked and published on the dark web, a part of the internet notorious for illicit activities.

In a statement published on the Nissan Australia website, the company confirmed the online publication of the accessed information after an earlier data breach.

'We are working urgently with our global incident response team and cyber forensic experts to understand what information was accessed and the types of information that was posted on the dark web,' Nissan stated.

Personal information of Nissan owners has been published on the dark web. Credit: Freepik

‘Where we identify customer data has been accessed in a manner which gives rise to a risk of serious harm, we will contact you in accordance with our legal obligations, including to let you know what information was involved and what support is available to you.’

Nissan Australia has also reported the incident to the Australian Cyber Security Centre and other relevant authorities.

'We are deeply sorry for any concerns this has caused for those who have been impacted,' the company expressed in its statement.

The cyberattack, first reported in December 2023, has had a significant impact on Nissan's dealership network.

Technicians have been unable to access necessary information for recalls and servicing due to the system shutdown. The inability to order genuine parts from the company's central warehouse has further hampered Nissan's service centres.

The attack has also affected Nissan Australia's communication systems. Employees have had to resort to using Nissan Europe's email system as their primary local email inboxes became inaccessible.

Although Nissan Australia has not officially acknowledged it as a 'ransomware attack,' which involves criminals seizing control of IT systems and data and demanding a ransom, the appearance of customer data on the dark web implies that Nissan possibly resisted the hackers' demands.

The dark web has long been a hub for purchasing fake IDs and other documents. Although we've heard about it, we might not have realised it's happening here in Australia.

In a previous story, recent reports highlighted that Australian fake IDs are the second most commonly sold on these dark websites, following the United States.

Research also revealed that these fraudulent documents, like driver's licenses, are widely traded globally.

Criminal organisations use them for various illegal activities, including identity theft, money laundering, human and drug trafficking, illegal immigration, and espionage.

Learn more about the rise of fake IDs on the dark web here.

Key Takeaways

• Nissan Australia has suffered a cyberattack that resulted in customer data being published on the dark web.
• The company is working with a global incident response team and cyber forensic experts to evaluate the breach.
• Nissan will contact customers whose data may pose a risk of serious harm and has reached out to the Australian Cyber Security Centre.
• The hack has significantly impacted Nissan's dealership network, affecting recalls, servicing, and parts ordering.

Have you been affected by this data breach? Share your experiences and any advice you may have for fellow members in the comments below.

 

[trakn]

How far back are customers affected. Nissan has been collecting our data for a long time. Does this mean that details as far back as the mid 70s are at risk,or only since computer records .

 

[Clancieblue]

I imagine this only applies to new car purchases.