Acer admits hackers stole data on millions of customers

Representational image of data security
(Image credit: Kingston)

Taiwanese hardware vendor Acer has confirmed that hackers have managed to break into its after-sales service system in India, without sharing more details.

Notably however, privacy watchdogs PrivacyAffairs had already shared news of the breach after discovering data from the breach being auctioned on a popular underground forum.

“On a forum post today – 13 October – the hacker group Desorden announced that it had hacked and breached the Indian servers of Acer,” wrote PrivacyAffairs’ founder Miklos Zoltan.

TechRadar needs you!

We're looking at how our readers use VPNs with streaming sites like Netflix so we can improve our content and offer better advice. This survey won't take more than 60 seconds of your time, and we'd hugely appreciate if you'd share your experiences with us.

>> Click here to start the survey in a new window <<

According to Zoltan, the stolen data appears to include login details and other personally identifiable information (PII) of Acer retailers and distributors in India.

Supply chain exposed

An Acer spokesperson told BleepingComputer that upon detecting the breach, its Indian subsidiary immediately initiated their security protocols. The incident has been reported to the local law enforcement, and has initiated the process to notify all affected customers.

Importantly, the spokesperson insisted that the incident has had “no material impact to our operations and business continuity.”

While Acer hasn’t shared details about the breach, PrivacyAffairs reports that the hackers claim the breach affects the data of millions of Acer customers.

In fact, the confident hackers have posted ten thousand records from their ill-gotten stash to prove its authenticity. PrivacyAffairs used this PII that was posted for free to successfully contact multiple individuals.  

Neither the hackers, nor Acer have shared how the attackers managed to break into the servers and make their way with over 60 GB of sensitive data, which besides PII of individuals also contains details about the subsidiary’s accounts, financial, and audit information.

Via BleepingComputer

TOPICS
Mayank Sharma

With almost two decades of writing and reporting on Linux, Mayank Sharma would like everyone to think he’s TechRadar Pro’s expert on the topic. Of course, he’s just as interested in other computing topics, particularly cybersecurity, cloud, containers, and coding.

Read more
HPE
HPE investigating claims that hacker breached developer environments, source code
Cartoon Phishing
One of the largest data leaks ever sees info on 1.5 billion people leaked online
A person with a laptop using a credit card online.
Avery label maker confirms attack on its site, customer credit card info stolen
A man looking at a tablet with a brown Best Buy package on the desk in front of him
Huge Christmas data breach - 14 million shipping records leaked, putting shoppers at risk
A computer being guarded by cybersecurity.
Wacom warns users their data may have been stolen in breach
ID theft
Over a million patients potentially hit after another US healthcare provider hit by cyberattack
Latest in Security
Lock on Laptop Screen
Medusa ransomware is able to disable anti-malware tools, so be on your guard
Insecure network with several red platforms connected through glowing data lines and a black hat hacker symbol
Coinbase targeted after recent Github attacks
hacker.jpeg
Key trusted Microsoft platform exploited to enable malware, experts warn
IBM office logo
IBM to provide platform for flagship cyber skills programme for girls
Oracle
Oracle denies data breach after hacker claims to hold six million records
Hacker silhouette working on a laptop with North Korean flag on the background
North Korea unveils new military unit targeting AI attacks
Latest in News
Cassian Andor looking nervously over his shoulder in Andor season 2
New Andor season 2 trailer has got Star Wars fans asking the same question – and it includes an ominous call back to Rogue One's official teaser
23andMe
23andMe is bankrupt and about to sell your DNA, here's how to stop that from happening
A phone showing a ChatGPT app error message
ChatGPT was down for many – here's what happened
AirPods Max with USB-C in every color
Apple's AirPods Max with USB-C will get lossless audio in April, but you'll need to go wired
A woman sitting in a chair looking at a Windows 11 laptop
It looks like Microsoft might have thought better about banishing Copilot AI shortcut from Windows 11
Lock on Laptop Screen
Medusa ransomware is able to disable anti-malware tools, so be on your guard