Nokia Suffers Major Data Breach: Sensitive Files Exposed
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By Farrukh Mushtaq
Farrukh Mushtaq
See author profileFarrukh Mushtaq, a digital marketer at PureSquare, possesses a keen interest in cybersecurity and enjoys writing about it. With several years of experience in the digital marketing industry, he brings expertise and passion to his work.
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13 November 2024
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7 mins read
Nokia, formerly a prominent participant in the mobile phone business, has recently been at the center of a serious cybersecurity scandal. A hacker has publicly exposed stolen files, exposing a major data breach that has undermined the company's safety protocols.
Nokia's inquiry into recent reports of a data breach discovered that the source code released on a hacker forum belonged to a third party, and no business or customer data had been compromised.
What Happened in the Nokia Data Breach?
A recent data breach at Nokia compromised critical information, including source code and encryption keys. A hacker known as IntelBroker has claimed responsibility for the attack and plans to sell the stolen data on the dark web for $20,000.
🚨Alleged Data Breach of Nokia's Internal Source Code and Development Tools
— ThreatMon (@MonThreat) November 4, 2024
🔍On a popular darkweb forum, threat actors codenamed “IntelBroker” and “EnergyWeaponUser” announced targeting, among other entities, “Nokia,” a well-known telecommunications company. The attackers claim… pic.twitter.com/ZQkrDx3sru
The well-known hacker IntelBroker claims to have accessed a Nokia third-party contractor. They said:
“Today, I am selling a large collection of Nokia source code, which we got from a 3rd party contractor that directly worked with Nokia to help aid their development of some internal tools.”
According to reports, the data contains Bitbucket logins, SSH keys, RSA keys, SMTP accounts, hardcoded credentials, webhooks, and source code.
#Finland 🇫🇮 - Nokia Source Code Breach Exposes Sensitive Data
— Dark Web Intelligence (@DailyDarkWeb) November 5, 2024
A recent leak has exposed Nokia's source code, allegedly obtained from a third-party contractor working on internal tools for the company. The compromised data includes SSH keys, RSA keys, Bitbucket logins, SMTP… pic.twitter.com/1nJtUMvGII
What was the Impact on Nokia Customers?
Nokia claims that the impact on its customers is minor. The disclosed information largely impacted a third-party contractor and did not directly jeopardize Nokia's core systems or customer data.
The leaked source code is for an application that was developed by a third party rather than the firm. The program was designed to work solely on a single network owned by a Nokia client, and it contains no Nokia code.
There have been numerous credential leaks involving Nokia employees, exposing access to resources such as Fortinet, Cisco, Okta, Microsoft, Salesforce, and various other critical assets. While the exact credentials used are unknown, the situation is concerning. #databreach… pic.twitter.com/SSAnVk0pXa
— WhiteIntel Dark-Web Intelligence (@whiteintel_io) November 4, 2024
According to media sources, Nokia is aware of the allegations but has yet to find any evidence that the incident impacted its systems. The company stated:
“Nokia is aware of reports that an unauthorized actor has alleged to have gained access to certain third-party contractor data and possibly data of Nokia.”
They further highlighted the security steps:
“Nokia takes this allegation seriously, and we are investigating. To date, our investigation has found no evidence that any of our systems or data are being impacted.”
The hack shows the growing threat of cyberattacks on major organizations, as well as the vital need for strong cybersecurity measures.
How to Take Immediate Action in Case of a Data Breach
While the Nokia data breach largely impacted a third-party contractor, there are several precautions you can take to protect yourself in the event of a data breach:
- Change the passwords for any accounts that may have been compromised, especially those that share the same password as your Nokia account.
- Enable 2FA on your accounts to add an extra layer of security, which needs a second form of verification in addition to a password.
- Keep a check on your financial accounts and credit reports for any unusual behavior.
If you have any issues or questions concerning the incident, contact Nokia's customer service for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What is the leading cause of data breaches?
Although hacking activities are typically regarded as the major source of data breaches, proactive hackers often exploit the vulnerabilities of hacked or weak passwords or personal information.
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How do you know if your info has been compromised?
Check for suspicious logins to your accounts and enable notifications if the provider you use supports them. Be wary of deceptive password recovery emails and texts, and only change your credentials by going into the account via the official website.
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Should I be concerned about data breaches?
A data breach affects you in various ways. It raises the likelihood of being a victim of identity or money theft. Hackers can use a leaked password to gain access to other accounts that share the same password. It may take significant effort to recover from being hacked online.
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What did Nokia say about the data breach?
Nokia confirmed the breach, but claimed that its own systems and data were unaffected. The company's research determined that the breach was caused by a third-party security event, and the disclosed source code was for a third-party app.
In Conclusion!
The recent Nokia data breach, which involved the theft of sensitive information by the notorious hacker organization CyberN-----s, demonstrates the growing threat of cyberattacks.
While the immediate impact on Nokia consumers could be minimal, the incident highlights the significance of strong security methods. To secure online privacy, consider using PurePrivacy with a VPN to avoid unauthorized access and trackers.
