TalkTalk Flags Cyberattack, Possible Data Theft -- Update
October 23 2015 - 3:35AM
Dow Jones News
By Simon Zekaria
LONDON--TalkTalk Telecom Group PLC (TALK.LN) said on Friday that
there has been a "significant and sustained" cyberattack on the
group's website, resulting in the launch of a criminal
investigation by the British police.
The British telecom operator warned there is a chance that some
of its 4 million customers' data has been stolen, including names,
addresses and bank details. The breach happened on Wednesday and
the criminal inquiry began the day after. The company said
investigations are continuing.
TalkTalk said it is working with cybercrime specialists and
London's Metropolitan Police to establish what happened and the
extent of the theft of any information.
"We take any threat to the security of our customers' data
extremely seriously and we are taking all the necessary steps to
understand what has happened here," said Chief Executive Dido
Harding.
In a letter to customers, the company said: "Unfortunately cyber
criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated and attacks
against companies which do business online are becoming more
frequent."
It said it has contacted major banks, which will be looking out
for any suspicious activity on customers' accounts.
TalkTalk faces off with larger rivals like Vodafone Group PLC
(VOD.LN), Sky PLC (SKY.LN), BT Group PLC (BT.A.LN) and Hutchison
Whampoa Ltd.'s Three in the U.K. market. TalkTalk shares closed
Thursday at 269 pence, valuing the company at 2.57 billion pounds
($3.96 billion).
Write to Simon Zekaria at simon.zekaria@wsj.com
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
October 23, 2015 03:20 ET (07:20 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2015 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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