Thursday 10 November 2022 08:29 PM Hackers behind Medibank data hack release even more private details of customers trends now
The hackers behind the Medibank data theft have thumbed their noses at the federal government after being warned the 'smartest and toughest' people in Australia are coming after them.
The ransomware group allegedly behind the hack overnight claimed they had released more sensitive details of customers' medical records on the dark web.
'Added one more file Boozy.csv ...,' they wrote in a blog update in the early hours of Friday.
The file, which appears to be related to mental health and alcohol issues, comes after a data dump on Thursday named 'abortions.csv'.
'You telling that is disgusting (woof-woof), that we publish some data,' they wrote on Friday in the blog seen by AAP.
'But we warned you. we always keep our word, if we wouldn't receive a ransom - we should post this data, because nobody will believe us in the future.'
The group claimed on Thursday it had demanded a ransom of $US1 for each of Medibank's 9.7 million affected customers, for a total of $US9.7 million (almost $15 million).
Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil told parliament the government was standing by Medibank customers, who were entitled to have their information kept private after the 'morally reprehensible and criminal' attack.
'I want the scumbags behind this attack to know that the smartest and toughest people in this country are coming after you,' she said.
Pictured is important advice for people affected by the Medibank and AHM data hacks
The minister spoke with Medibank chief executive David Koczkar twice on Thursday to 'make clear' what was expected of Australia's biggest health insurer and to ensure customers were adequately supported.
'I don't want Australians to have to circulate 14 government departments or areas of Medibank in order to get what they deserve and need,' Ms O'Neil said.
'I received the assurance from Medibank ... that if a large data dump occurs, they are fully ready to provide services when and if they are needed to Australians who need them.'
The first wave of files dropped on Wednesday included names, birthdates, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, health claims information, Medicare
