Hackers behind M&S cyber attack target 5.7 million airline customers
Cyber experts issue urgent advice to M&S customers after data breach
Qantas announced that 5.7 million customers were impacted by a cyber attack orchestrated by the Scattered Spider hacking group.
The hackers gained access to customer data by compromising one of the airline's call centres in Manila, Philippines.
Stolen data included phone numbers, email addresses, physical addresses, dates of birth, genders, and in some cases, meal preferences, though no payment or passport details were compromised.
Qantas stated that current evidence suggests none of the personal data has been released by the hackers, and a forensic investigation is underway.
Four individuals allegedly linked to the Scattered Spider group have been arrested in the UK on suspicion of blackmail, money laundering, and computer misuse offences.