Dark Web Ransomware Group Claims Attack on Australian Transport Tracker Netstar

Netstar Australia, one of Australia’s leading providers of GPS-based Truck and Equipment Tracking solutions, is currently dealing with a significant cybersecurity issue. According to the firm’s recent disclosure, this hack occurred when a group of hackers managed to gain access to their network and steal sensitive data.

In response, Netstar has commenced investigations into the situation to confirm the full extent of the hack. However, this story has created uncertainty among thousands of Australian businesses that patronize them to monitor the location and safety of their vehicles and drivers daily.

How the Breach Occurred and Who is Behind It

Hacktivist group Blackshrantac has claimed responsibility for hacking Netstar’s digital systems after the ransomware group uploaded Netstar’s name to their list of hacked companies. BlackShrantac is a renowned ransomware group – ransomware is malware that encrypts your company’s files to keep you from accessing them.

Typically, the hacker will require payment of a ransom in exchange for unlocking your files. However, there are new tactics being employed by hacktivist groups; as well as encrypting your data, the hackers will take a copy of the data and post it online to use as leverage to encourage you to pay the ransom to keep your files private. This double-extortion tactic was recently seen when a global ransomware gang targeted an Australian family law firm, leading to the leak of highly sensitive client data.

Netstar plays a crucial role as an integral part of Australia’s Transport and Logistics Chain. They also offer telematics—this means that Netstar connects vehicles to the Internet; owners can track their vehicle’s speed, position, and fuel consumption.

Netstar processes an enormous amount of information on the location of all vehicles. Netstar finds the prospect of an attack like today’s cyber incident particularly concerning, as stolen logistical and positional data can compromise security on a massive scale, echoing concerns raised by the recent theft of sensitive data from Australian naval programs.

Hackers may have access to valuable cargo locations as well as personal information about truck drivers through a breach of a company’s systems. Netstar has hired digital forensic experts to investigate which folders hackers accessed and whether they stole any sensitive data.

What This Means for Clients and Future Safety

Many business owners and users of Netstar fear losing their personal information when a hacker hacks into it. These threat actors search for names, mobile numbers, email addresses, and passwords. Sometimes, hackers don’t even weaponize the stolen data to attack their victims themselves. They might, rather, trade the database to the criminal community, and this usually leads to massive phishing attacks.

For instance, a Netstar client may get a fake email claiming to be from the company. The content of the email will request that the customer sign into their user account to confirm their identity. A customer stands a complete chance of losing all their credentials if they tap on the link provided in the email.

In light of this, all stakeholders involved must take extreme caution in the coming weeks. The recent hacking event has exposed the vulnerability of the Australian technology industry and how prone it is to attack from cybercriminals. It highlights a growing risk to critical infrastructure and key resources sectors, as seen in the recent ransomware attack on Western Australian miner Avenira, which resulted in a dark web data leak. IT companies that employ advanced technology can become highly susceptible to cybercrime if they do not have any.