Privacy Commissioner investigating iiNet data breach

Breach allegedly occurred after hacker compromised a database

Australian Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim has opened an investigation into an alleged data breach involving iiNet subsidiary Westnet.

The data breach allegedly occurred earlier this monthafter a hacker compromised a database containing the personal information of some Westnet customers and offered the information for sale online.

“iiNet is cooperating with the OAIC’s enquiries. The OAIC will publish a further statement at the conclusion of its investigation,” an OAIC statement said.

At the time, iiNet CIO Matthew Toohey said that the company was investigating the matter and that the incident had been reported to law enforcement agencies.

“iiNet is aware of an incident that may have resulted in unauthorised access to old customer information stored on a legacy Westnet system. Customer username, address, telephone and, in some cases, password information may have been accessed, however, no payment details were stored on the server. The system is now offline and at no further risk,” he said.

iiNet has been contacted for comment.

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