Econet Denies Data Breach Assertions, Affirms No Hacking Incident Detected
Heads Up! Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Data Breach Allegations
You've seen it swirling around the web – a "threat actor" boasting about selling the customer database of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe. A popular cybersecurity watchdog, FalconFeeds.io, dropped this bomb:
"Data Breach Warning: Econet Wireless Zimbabwe"
They claim that this menacing figure (aka Thaihub) is flogging Econet's database for a mere $299. Seems like Zimbabweans' data isn't fetching much on the dark web compared to other regions. The leaked data includes a whopping 852,791 customer records, chock-full of identifiable info such as full names, emails, addresses, Twitter handles, mobile numbers, and more.
Some Econet subscribers have reported receiving suspicious WhatsApp messages from apparent scammers, raising concerns about whether their personal details may have originated from Thaihub.
We reached out to Econet to get the lowdown, and here's what they had to say:
Econet's Take on the Alleged Data Breach
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe acknowledges the social media chatter from Tuesday, February 4, 2025, suggesting that a threat actor was peddling part of its subscriber list with 852,791 customer records. Despite initial investigations failing to uncover any breach in its systems, Econet remained vigilant.
They activated their crisis management processes, collaborating with international cybersecurity professionals and round-the-clock monitoring of their systems to ensure the security of their business systems and the privacy of customers' sensitive data. They also kept regulators and authorities informed.
As of now, there's been no confirmed data breach by Econet Wireless Zimbabwe. They'll continue to monitor the situation closely, working with cybersecurity experts, regulatory authorities, and keeping an eye out for any further developments. They'll update the public as soon as new evidence emerges, confirming or refuting the claims. Meanwhile, they advise caution against unsolicited messages and encourage reporting any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.
So, is a data breach at Econet Wireless Zimbabwe a done deal? There's currently no updated or confirmed information, leaving us all to wait and see. Be wary of messages and keep your personal information safeguarded during this uncertain period.
Technology and cybersecurity remain crucial as Econet Wireless Zimbabwe continues to investigate claims of a data breach, collaborating with international cybersecurity professionals to ensure the security of their systems and the privacy of customers' sensitive data. Despite initial investigations failing to uncover a breach, Econet remains vigilant in monitoring the situation closely and advises caution against unsolicited messages.
